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Sep 18, 2011

Bhutan Hit Earthquake

Bhutan Hit by earthquake on 18th September 2011
Magnitude6.1
Date-Time
Location27.346°N, 91.412°E
Depth14 km (8.7 miles) set by location program
RegionBHUTAN
Distances130 km (80 miles) NNW of Gauhati, Assam, India
180 km (110 miles) E of THIMPHU, Bhutan
610 km (380 miles) NNE of Kolkata (Calcutta), West Bengal, India
1410 km (870 miles) E of NEW DELHI, Delhi, India
Location Uncertaintyhorizontal +/- 6.2 km (3.9 miles); depth fixed by location program
ParametersNST=137, Nph=137, Dmin=>999 km, Rmss=1.04 sec, Gp= 22°,
M-type=teleseismic moment magnitude (Mw), Version=A
Source
  • USGS NEIC (WDCS-D)
Event IDus2009lvap
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/recenteqsww/Quakes/us2009lvap.php

Sep 8, 2011

TREK ITINERARY FOR SAMTENGANG

PRIVATE TREK ITINERARY FOR
SAMTENGANG TREK 11 DAYS

Day 01 Arrive at Paro Airport
During the journey to Paro, one will experience breath taking view of Mount Everest, Kanchenjunga and other famous Himalayan peaks, including the sacred Chomolhari and Mount Jichu Drake in Bhutan. On arrival at Paro Airport, you will be received by representatives of Bhutan Historic Tour who will escort you to the hotel.

Day 02 Paro- Paro
Visit the National Museum (Ta-Dzong). This was actually the Watch Tower of Paro Rinpung Dzong. It was converted to the National Museum in 1968. Visit the Paro Rinpung Dzong. This massive fortress is located on a hill top above the Pachu (Paro River) of Paro Valley. You have to walk about 15 minutes by crossing an ancient wooden bridge built in typical Bhutanese architect. The Dzong houses the District Administration Office and the District Monk Body. It was built in 1645 A.D. Lunch at Hotel. Visit the Drukgyal Dzong, located 16 Km. away from the Paro town. Although in ruins, this Dzong is of great historical importance. It was here that the Bhutanese finally defeated the invading Tibetans and drove them back. From here, the peak of Jhomolhari "Mountain of the Goddess" can be seen on a clear day (Alt. 7,314m/24,029ft.). Visit Kyichu Lhakhang (Lhakhang means Monastery). Kyichu Lhakhang was built in 659 A.D. by King Songtsen Gampo of Tibet. It is considered one of the holiest places in Bhutan as it marks the advent of Buddhism in the country.

Day 03 Paro - Thimphu
Drive along the winding road along the Paro Chu (Chu means water or river) down stream to the confluence with the Wang Chu then turn upstream and travel along the Wang Chu to Thimphu, the Capital. Lunch will be served at the Hotel. In the afternoon, visit the Memorial Chorten, dedicated to the Late Third King of Bhutan, His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. Overnight in Hotel.

Day 04 Thimphu – Khuruthang

Drive to Khuruthang with pack lunch provided from the hotel. Stop at Dochula pass for a grand view of the Himalayan mountain ranges (if the weather is clear). Lunch at the camp site. After lunch, drive down to Punakha and visit the Dzong.

Day 05 Khuruthang - Limukha
Drive
till Punakha. The trek begins with the gradual climb through Chir Pine forests. On the way, visit a village called, Dompala.

Day 06 Limukha - Chungsakha
The trail today takes you through rhododendron and oak forested area. Enroute pass a famous Drukpa Kuenlay Lhakhang. Overnight in camp. Distance 14 Km. about 5/6 hours walk.

Day 07 Chungsakha - Samtengang
The trail now takes you through the village of Sha Wangdi District. Camp at Samtengang at lake side. Distance 13 Km about 5 hours.

Day 08 Samtengang - Wangdue
The trail now drops down till the motor road. Drive till Wangdue Phodrang and lunch at the Guest House. Overnight: Hotel

Day 09 Wangdue - Thimphu
Morning drive to Thimphu.
Check in the Hotel and Lunch will be served.
After Lunch visit the Handicraft Emporium, National Mini Zoo, and Thimphu View Point.
Overnight Hotel in Thimphu

Day10 Thimphu - Paro
Drive
to Paro. Check in the hotel and rest of the afternoon free.
Overnight hotel in Paro

Day 11 Drive to Airport and board flight

Wishing you safe journey and Thank you for visiting Bhutan with us.

Aug 28, 2011

Druk Air: Bhutan and Singapore will establish an air services agreement

Bhutan and Singapore will establish an air services agreement (ASA) next week, according to the department of civil aviation (DCA).

The agreement will allow national airline, Drukair and upcoming private airline, Tashi Air, the rights to fly to Singapore. A civil aviation team from Singapore will arrive in the country today to work out technical details of the ASA, prior to a final agreement on Wednesday.

Drukair plans to operate to Singapore twice a week from March next year, according to the airline’s commercial manager, Tshering Penjor. But he said that this would also depend on when Drukair is able to acquire a third airbus jet. Drukair will also have the rights to operate to Singapore through Kolkata, India and Dhaka, Bangladesh.

A representative for Tashi Air said that its international destinations will only be worked out once the airline’s domestic obligations are fulfilled. The private airline’s aircraft is expected to arrive in the first week of October.

DCA director general, Phala Dorji, pointed out that an added benefit to an ASA with Singapore would be obtaining training opportunities for Bhutanese aviation officials.

The aviation sector is a key component of the Singaporean economy, and its civil aviation authority is also major provider of training for international aviation management personnel. Bhutanese airlines will also be able to use Singapore for its high level of aircraft maintenance and repair services. “This will go a long way in terms of benefits,” said Phala Dorji. The director general also pointed out that Singapore had initiated the ASA.

Bhutan now has ASAs with seven countries: Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand, and now, Singapore. Phala Dorji said that DCA is under instructions to establish as many ASAs as possible. He said that DCA is currently focused on establishing ASAs with all SAARC countries. Bhutan does not have ASAs with Pakistan and Afghanistan. He added that Qatar had recently expressed interest in establishing an ASA with Bhutan.

While ASAs can be established, it is up to airlines whether a route will be formed and operated. Drukair does not operate to the Maldives and has discontinued its Myanmar stopovers. Drukair is currently focused on expanding its services to and within India, where domestic passenger traffic is growing at a rapid pace. Passenger traffic between Paro and India increased 26 percent in 2010. The international air transport association (IATA) ranked India’s domestic passenger traffic growth second (14 percent) globally for the month of June. Drukair is considering establishing routes to the cities of Bangalore and Mumbai.

The national airline is also looking at establishing a Hong Kong, China route.

Source: Kuenselonline

Aug 26, 2011

Bhutan His Majesty the King advised the graduates



His Majesty the King advised the graduates who were attending the annual graduate’s orientation programme not be complacent.

Speaking at the closing ceremony yesterday, His Majesty said “there are so many graduates. I know that most of you will know the importance of working hard. So to the few of you, who might feel that being graduates, everything will happen for you, I must warn you. You will be left behind.”

His Majesty also spoke about the importance of preserving the age old traditions.

“Fundamental to the strength and beauty of our nation is our cultural heritage – our traditions and customs – the bond between children and their parents, teachers and elders. The trust and faith among friends, neighbours and the community,” His Majesty said.

“You must also know the difference between good and evil, between right and wrong, between compassion and self-interest.”

His Majesty said the Kingdom’s age old traditions will ensure that the graduates, as they pursue their individual goals and ambitions, will do so in harmony with others. It will ensure that individual successes will build a strong, united and harmonious nation.

His Majesty was accompanied by the Queen-to-be, Jetsun Pema.

Bhutan His Majesty the King advised the graduates



His Majesty the King advised the graduates who were attending the annual graduate’s orientation programme not be complacent.

Speaking at the closing ceremony yesterday, His Majesty said “there are so many graduates. I know that most of you will know the importance of working hard. So to the few of you, who might feel that being graduates, everything will happen for you, I must warn you. You will be left behind.”

His Majesty also spoke about the importance of preserving the age old traditions.

“Fundamental to the strength and beauty of our nation is our cultural heritage – our traditions and customs – the bond between children and their parents, teachers and elders. The trust and faith among friends, neighbours and the community,” His Majesty said.

“You must also know the difference between good and evil, between right and wrong, between compassion and self-interest.”

His Majesty said the Kingdom’s age old traditions will ensure that the graduates, as they pursue their individual goals and ambitions, will do so in harmony with others. It will ensure that individual successes will build a strong, united and harmonious nation.

His Majesty was accompanied by the Queen-to-be, Jetsun Pema.