Day 1 : BHUTAN: PHUENTHSHOLING

 I planned a trip for my mother and also decided to travel with her. I wanted to travel to a place that I haven't visited before. Hence decided on Bhutan. I had previously checked the Tripkarado instagram page and also contacted them. They shared a document with all the details.They have weekly scheduled trips for almost all weeks. I booked the vacation with them.

Also booked our flights to Bagdogra Airport in Bengal, India from Chennai from GoIbibo Website.I also got more discount while paying through UPI.

We reached Bagdogra Airport and waited for an hour to be picked up by the Tripkarado Team as advised already. We were driven with other members from our Tour in an SUV to Phuentsholing, Bhutan. We stopped for a tea break on the way.

We went through gateway terminal between Bhutan and India and walked to the Hotel Evergreen 9 there.

After our keys were handed over, we  refreshed and went to Zangto Pelri Lhakhang temple .It had 2 Big size prayer wheels and many prayer wheels around the temple.It represents the heaven of Guru Rimpoche.There are statues of the Guru and his 8 manifestations.There are statues of the 8 Bodhisattavas.The temple is located in a small garden with a small pond.

We walked to the Main Gate that borders India and Bhutan.

Later we had welcome cake cutting, wine, dinner at restaurant. We also went again to the Zangto Pelri Lhakhang temple with everyone in our team by walk.

Some Facts about Bhutan:as told by our Tour guide Mr.Ugyen

Bhutan has a population of 8 lakhs.

It is the size of Switzerland and also called 2nd Switzerland.

This country has dual system of government.

Guru Rinpoche is considered as the Father of Bhutan.He came to Bhutan from India and he is believed to be born from a Lotus Flower.He passed away in 1659.He introduced Vara Buddhism in Bhutan.

He unified 13 arts crafts, unique traditions of Bhutan.

Bhutan was ruled by religious leaders and governors.But this brought confusion and civil war.

Ugyen Wangchuck was elected as the first King in 1907.Ugyen Wangchuck's reign unified Bhutan and established a stable monarchy that helped guide the country into modern times.The third king Jigme Dorji Wangchuck brought Modernisation and he built 770 km long road from Phuentsholing to Thimphu.He is the Father of Modern Bhutan.The fourth King Jigme Singye Wangchuck became the King at the age of 17.He is the father of the present King of Bhutan.He has four wives.He brought Modern education.He retired at the age of 55, even though the constitution says 60 as the retirement age.

Bhutan has free education including university and medical education.

72% of Bhutan is covered by forest.

Bhutan has 2 hydroelectric projects and also exports hydroelectric power to India thus boosting their main source of Income for the country.

Tourism is another main source of Income for the country.Sustainable development fee-sdf 1200 INR is collected from each tourist on a per night basis.This was included in the package price of TripKarado and we also received the receipt of the same which can be used to buy in certain Duty-Free Shops in Phuentsholing for getting discounts.Please note you dont need to pay for your nights spent in Phuentsholing.Hence we paid 4*1200=4800 INR SDF.

Twenty Years ago, the country was made democratic by the King.Mock Elections were held, but the people voted for the King to continue.Yellow was King, Orange was Democracy in the election. Hence Bhutan has King and Prime Minister.

The 5th King was born in 1980, and he became the king in 2008.