Home & Away with Robert Walshe
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Holiday Hotspot – Paro Bhutan
Bhutan’s rich and remarkable culture is a real highlight for many visitors. Even though the internet and mobile phones have infiltrated Bhutan in recent years, the traditions and customs that are centuries old here continue to endure. Bhutan’s mountains rise to almost 25,000 feet; mist creeps up from thousands of feet below. Far from the cares of the rest of the world, monks and herders happily go about their lives on the roof of the world. Bhutan’s dance, art, drama and music are linked to Buddhism, which is the most-practiced
■ Paro Valley Bhutan
religion in Bhutan. As with most other Asian countries, monks are revered in Bhutanese society and generally afforded great respect as guardians of their predominant faith. Visitors shouldn’t miss out on visiting one of Bhutan’s many monasteries to see daily rituals, monks and pilgrims. Religious festivals are celebrated all year round, from smaller regional festivals practiced only by villages, to large nationally recognised religious ceremonies and festivals. These festivals help to
preserve and celebrate an ancient culture, and are full of parades, sports, dance, drumming and art. Bhutan’s distinctive traditional dress is another cultural highlight and it’s possible to see locals wearing fine woven dresses and jackets of different colours and decorations, which often define ones social class or standing. Paro valley, one of the most beautiful valleys of Bhutan, is known as the rice bowl of Bhutan. The Paachu or Paro River meandering through it contributes to nourishing the rice fields and fruit orchards of Paro. To the north of stands the “Mount Jhomolhari” (Goddess Mountain) and the glacier waters from its five sister peaks fall through deep gorges finally converging to form the Paro River. Besides being the only district that boasts an international airstrip, it is also home to many of Bhutan’s oldest and most popular religious monuments. The Taktsang Monastery (Tiger’s Nest) which clings precariously to a high cliff, and other sacred Buddhist sites draw visitors to Paro from all
For our best deals call 0044 28 9038 1111 or visit www.mooneyhotelgroup.com over the world. The 100year-old Gangtey Palace where we stayed was a private home until 1995 owned first by members of the royal family and then purchased by an aristocrat whose descendants now run the hotel. Decorated in traditional, colourful Bhutanese style, the hotel includes a courtyard, prayer room, bar and a dining room offering Bhutanese, Indian, Chinese and Euro■ Paro Festival M ask Dance Bh pean options. utan www.gangteypalace.net Only travelers on Kathpackages booked through mandu to Paro they offer tour operators are allowed culture & festival tours, treks visas, so independent tour- and a mixture of all three, as ists and backpackers can’t get well as specialist experiences in, plus there’s the infamous such as bird watching, botanitourist tax of $250 to $280 a cal and textile experiences for day, though most of that goes independent or group traveltowards accommodation, ers. www.bluepoppybhutan. transfers, guiding and is incom Turkish airlines fly daily cluded in package prices. London based Blue Poppy from Dublin to Kathmandu Tours set up by Choki Dorji Nepal via Istanbul. Their busihas many years of experience ness class service is by far the revealing the mysteries of most impressive of the Middle Bhutan’s traditions and majes- Eastern carriers departing Iretic landscapes. As well as se- land. Rather than just serving curing connecting flights from a “restaurant service”, “Flying
Chefs” make you feel like a star with “Turkish Hospitality” above the clouds. In fact all business class meals are served in porcelain dishes on flights. www.turkishairlines. com Robert Walshe is a travel broadcaster with Citybeat & Q Radio Network in Northern Ireland. He is also Travel Editor for River Media newspaper titles across the island of Ireland. www.robertwalshe.com