Home & Away with Robert Walshe
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Holiday Hotspot – Thimphu Bhutan
Being the capital of the Royal Kingdom of Bhutan, Thimphu City offers a rare glimpse of urban life in this country. With almost all offices of the Bhutanese government and major companies based here, it is not surprising that there are lots of shopping centres and hotels in this city. Thimphu has three kinds of stores: clothing, handicraft and hardware. Between these,
there is a small assortment of stationery-cum-bookstores and supermarkets. Almost all stock the same goods. Most of the food products sold are imported from Thailand (Bangkok) or India. “Norzin Lam” is the city’s main thoroughfare equivalent to Singapore’s Orchard Road without the glitzy shopping malls and decorations. Thankfully, there are no designer boutiques along this street and corporate giants such as MacDonald’s and Starbucks
n Buddha Point Thimphu Bhutan.
are not allowed to set up shop here (or in the whole of Bhutan). The Clock Tower is one of the most prominent landmarks in the city. This is also the place for performances and public gatherings due to its spaciousness and location. Next door the Bhutanese styled Hotel Druk is one of the larger hotels in Thimphu. The dining room serves a variety of cuisines and was the finest culinary experience of our seven day trip. A preserve at Motithang on the city outskirts is home to the national animal of Bhutan. Legend has it the “Takin” a cross between a cow & a goat was created by the great Buddhist yogi, Drupa Kunley. Known as “fortress of the glorious religion”, Tashichho Dzong, or popularly known as Thimphu Dzong, is an impressive structure that houses the Bhutanese government and stand on the right side of the Wangchu River. You will only be able to visit the monastery part separated from the national government offices by the central tower. Buddha Point sitting on top of Kuensel Phodrang hill is a 51.5 metres bronze statue of the founder of Bud-
For our best deals call 0044 28 9038 1111 or visit www.mooneyhotelgroup.com dhism. The site also offers unobstructed views over the Thimphu Valley. The temple underneath this huge statue is still under construction. Only travelers on packages booked through tour operators are allowed visas, so independent tourists and backpackers can’t get in, plus there’s the infamous tourist tax of $250 to $280 a day, though in fact most of that goes towards n Robert Walshe meets local pe accommodation, ople in Bhutan . transfers, guiding and is included in package prices. London based Blue tumn are definitely the best Poppy Tours and Treks set time to visit Bhutan. Having the clouds. In fact all busiup by Choki Dorji has many said that summer and winter ness class meals are served years of experience reveal- have their own draws and in porcelain dishes on flights. ing the mysteries of Bhutan’s attractions.www.bluepoppy- www.turkishairlines.com traditions and majestic land- bhutan.com Turkish airlines scapes. As well as securing fly daily from Dublin to KathRobert Walshe is a travel connecting flights from Kath- mandu Nepal via Istanbul. broadcaster with Citymandu to Paro they offer Their business class service beat & Q Radio Network culture & festival tours, treks is by far the most impressive in Northern Ireland. He is and a mixture of all three, as of the Middle Eastern carri- also Travel Editor for River well as specialist experiences ers departing Ireland. Rather Media newspaper titles such as bird watching, botan- than just serving a “restau- across the island of Ireical and textile experiences rant service”, “Flying Chefs” land. www.robertwalshe. for independent or group make you feel like a star with com travelers. Spring and au- “Turkish Hospitality” above