Bhutan :: Land of the Thunder Dragon
Calm, quiet, peaceful, simple, majestic, genuine, spiritual, kindness, unaffected, warmth, respectful, storytellers. These are all words I’d use to describe Bhutan and the Bhutanese. There are a few words missing, I know.
Bhutan is called Druk Yul – Land of Thunder Dragon.
Because of the violent and large thunderstorms that whip down through the valleys from the Himalayas, Bhutan is known as the Land of Thunder Dragon. The sparkling light of Thunderbolts was believed to be the red fire of a dragon. The Druk is the Thunder Dragon of Bhutanese mythology and a Bhutanese national symbol. It appears on the flag, holding jewels representing wealth.
The tiny kingdom of Bhutan is nestled high in the Himalayas between China, Nepal and India. To find it on a map you really must search and fly into Paro the plane’s pilot carefully negotiates between mountains taller than you’ve ever seen.
Map Showing Location of Bhutan.
I’ve never been more at peace with everything than when visiting Bhutan. The culture and traditions are genuine; the people warmer than any visitor could ever expect; the landscape towers over life; and the architecture transports you a thousand years back. Nothing is for “show” in Bhutan. What you see is real in every way. There is no pretence and there is no keeping up with anyone else.
Our world changes rapidly, yet while Bhutan progresses, it is a country mostly unaffected by modernity. Bhutan touched my soul immediately and you’ll see me return throughout this blog over and over to the Land of the Thunder Dragon.
Video of Bhutan, the Land of the Thunder Dragon. Prayer wheels filled with 10,000 prayers, prayer flags aplenty and a visit to Tiger’s Nest. Trekking through Bhutan is by far the best experience anyone could have while travelling.
Destination: Bhutan