photo from www.buddhasbuddhismpictures.net/
As promised, here are some more tidbite about Bhutan. Just reading about it gets me soooo excited! Less than a week to go!
Bhutan is often referred to as the Last Shangri-La due to it’s isolation and unspoilt beauty. It is one of the world’s most isolated nations, only opening to tourism in 1974. There are less than 1 million people living in this kingdom, whose area is roughly the same as Switzerland. Violent storms coming off the Himalaya give the country it’s name, Druk Yul, which translates to “Land of the Thunder Dragon”.
72% of Bhutan is covered in forest, and the government is active and serious in maintaining it’s ecological diversity. It will never be allowed to contain less than 60% forest land. 26 % of the land has been declaired a nature preserve, and is a haven for several rare animal species, including the black-necked crane, red panda, takin, (ooohhhh–i love this animal!!) and the snow leopard.
Bhutan is impressive in its effort to remain green. Plastic bags are not allowed to be used in the country–yeeaaahhhh!!! Smoking is against the law (although marijuana grows wild in abundance everywhere— it is used to fatten up pigs (munchies??)
Archery is the national sport, and the only sport bhutan has ever competed in in the Olympics. (They did not win).
Check back, more to come. Tashi Dalek!
I can’t wait to see the pictures you’re going to take on your trip. I’m trying to decide what to do for my fiftieth birthday in 2010. I can’t believe that 50 is right around the corner.
I know you’re leaving the country soon and mega busy, but I tagged you today in my blog. Take a peek if you get a minute and have a wonderful birthday if I don’t “talk” to you before you go.
Lord willing I will be heading to Bhutan in Sept. Would love to hear of your experience there.
hey, kevin,
just back–will be posting on my blog soon, but please feel free to ask any ?’s. will you be trekking?
Hi
I was in Bhutan last year and by some fluke was at Punakha Dzong the day of their major festival. A festival which celebrates with much color, music, action and emotion a battle against the Tibetan army in the 17th century. And who should be wandering around talking to people? The King! I was able to have a chat with him, very pleasant and interesting man, passionate about his country’s environment and conservation efforts. My interest is snow leopards and Bhutan has a few left in the wild and is working with WWF to save these. Good luck on your travels and blog.
Sibylle, Melbourne, Australia
http://www.snowleopardblog.com
the king was also at the paro festival–VERY handsome and humble man. very cool you got to have a conversation with him! tonite (in the states) is a show about optimism with michael j. fox when he visited bhutan.
namaste.