Meditation and retreat

As the stronghold of Vajrayana Buddhism, meditation and retreats is a common feature especially amongst the Buddhist practitioners and the monks. One can come across small retreat centers and hermitages all over the country next to temples, monasteries and monastic schools.

These retreat and meditation centers provide the Bhutanese with the much needed respite from the humdrums of normal life style and it is a common trait amongst the Buddhists to disappear into the mountains for days, weeks and months. The retreats provide people and the practitioners to draw upon their inner self and visualize upon the purpose of life.

Many tourists from Thailand and other Buddhist countries come to Bhutan for meditation and retreat tours. Some itinerary includes serious meditation for days while some are solitary retreat for few hours in the high hills and temples where nature surrounds and silence is unbroken.

Our tour operators can include the meditation in your itinerary if you want to try this Bhutanese way of retreat (solitary confinement). Besides, we also have hotels that provide yoga sessions, retreats and meditation facilities within the hotel premises.

Read More

Traditional Medicine

Traditional medicine or Sowa Rigpa as it is known dates as far back as the 17^th century and to the time of Zhabdrung Nawang Namgyal. Since then, traditional medicine has developed independently of its Tibetan origins and although the basic texts used are the same, some differences in practice make it a tradition particular to the country. The specific knowledge and experience gained by the Bhutanese over the centuries are still very much alive in this medical tradition that originated in Tibet. The natural environment, with its exceptionally rich flora, also enabled the development of a pharmacopoeia of which there is no equivalent anywhere in the world. This ancient principle and practice of healing was passed on as an oral tradition to younger generation till the system was formalized in 1967 as an integral part of the national health care delivery system with the main aim of preserving and promoting this unique system of medical care.

cordyceps

From a single Indigenous Dispensary in 1967, the traditional medical service has grown rapidly over the years to cover the entire country. By 2001, traditional medicine units have been established in all 20 Districts. They are attached to the district hospitals in view of the national health policy of integration and are manned by a Drungtsho (Doctor) and a Menpa (Compounder).

At the national level we have the National Indigenous Hospital in Kawang Jangsa, Thimphu. A small-scale mechanised production unit was started in 1982 with WHO support. The Indigenous medicine unit was renamed as National Institute of Traditional Medicine in 1988 and a new Pharmaceutical and Research Unit commissioned in 1997. In view of the increased functions, the NITM has been upgraded as the Institute of Traditional Medicine Services in 1998. There are three units under the ITMS. Tourists can avail free medical services and also try out traditional medicines for ailments if any.

Read More

Hot spring Therapy

Hot Spring 

Hot springs are found in most places in Bhutan and have been used for centuries to cure the Bhutanese of various ailments ranging from arthritis, body aches, to even sinuses. Come winter and it is a tradition for the Bhutanese to visit the well known hot springs. Known as Tshachus, the hot spring at Gasa in western Bhutan that is situated close to the banks of the Mo chu river, is the most desired for. The Gasa hot springs are frequented not just by the people but even wild animals such as the Takin.

Getting to Gasa hot spring is about ten hours trek from Punakha district or one can choose to travel half way by vehicle till a village called Damji. From Damji is about six hours trek till Gasa hot spring through beautiful hills of pine and oak forests. The route also takes us through small villages, bamboo forests and small streams. On reaching a pass one can see a beautiful view of Gasa dzong(fortress) seated below snow covered mountain. On the way one can enjoy nice outdoor picnic with packed lunch.

The other well known hot spring is the Chubu tshachu in Punakha. This hot spring is also located by the banks of the Pho chu river and can be reached within a days journey from Punakha town.

In central Bhutan in Bumthang, we have the Dur Tshachu. Located in the village of Dur, this tshachu also has medicinal value and are known to cure body aches. Then we have the Duenmang tshachu in Zhemgang. Situated by the banks of Mangde chu, Duenmang tshachu is also being frequented by the Khengpas and the rest of the Bhutanese population.

In southern Bhutan, you have the Gelephu tshachu situated yet again next to a stream. The tshachu is mostly frequented by the local residents and in winter by the other Bhutanese people that take trips to get cure themselves of diseases.

Besides, there is the Menchu, a tradition of heating up stones and then soaking in the water that is in turn heated by the stones. This is also a curative method and is used throughout the country.

Read More

A performance in appreciation

source: kuensel

Japanese singer will thank through music the people of Bhutan for their support of Japan’s quake victims

«Tokiko Kato and Aa-yang music school’s Jigme Drukpa  rehearse for tomorrow’s concert
Clock Tower Square: Veteran Japanese singer, Tokiko Kato, will perform at the Clock Tower Square in Thimphu tomorrow evening to thank, through music, the people of Bhutan, and wish the royal couple on their first anniversary.

“The support and help in monetary form, and the prayers Bhutanese offered for the victims of the earthquake last year in Japan has really touched my heart,” she said. “I want to thank the people of this country for their support in the form of music.”

Tokiko Kato’s music is mostly modern pop and folk, and she sings about the Japanese and their enduring in difficult times, farming and agriculture, environmental conservation and other themes.

At the Clock Tower Square, she will perform 17 songs, most of which are her compositions, including a Bhutanese song “Kuzuzangpo.”  Aa-yang music school founder, Jigme Drukpa, will accompany her on three Japanese songs, while students from Pelkhil HSS will sing a peace song composed by Tokiko Kato.

The 68-year-old singer, composer, actress, lyricist and environmentalist first visited Bhutan last year, and found the people to be “extremely friendly and respecting”.

Tokiko Kato, who has performed major concerts in about 30 countries around the globe, decided to hold a concert in Bhutan, not only to thank people and those, who visited Fukushima to show their support, but also to wish the royal couple on their  anniversary.

“I wanted to do the concert during the royal wedding anniversary, but couldn’t make it in time,” said Tokiko Kato, who has been singing for more than 48 years. “We hope this will further strengthen the relationship between the two countries.” She won the Japan Amateur Chanson competition in 1965, and has since released more than 70 albums.

She was appointed as councillor for World Wildlife Fund Japan in 1997, and the special envoy for United Nations Environment Programme, from which she resigned in March last year.

Organised by Bhutan Friendship Holidays, in collaboration with GNH Travels and Services, Japan, the concert is supported by the foreign ministries of the two countries, the Japan embassy in New Delhi, JICA Bhutan and Konoike Transport limited.

By Tshering Pamo

Read More

Kingdom of Yangdon

A Filipino romance-drama television series Princess and I was shot in Bhutan and will screen from 16th of this month on ABS-CBN. The series starred some of the most sort-after Filipino celebrities decorated in best of Bhutanese costumes. I have learned their costumes were designed by Pila Wangyel (Congratulations man).I am yet to know what the story is all about, but from the little I could grasp from the YouTube trailer- the princess of Bhutan (strangely Bhutan is called the Kingdom of Yangdon), who grew up in some place away returns home and finds the love of her life. It seems, she also discovers who she really was during her journey home.

This series shall remain on the top of my wanna-watch list, and I hope it finds its way to Bhutan soon, like the princess and give us a break from ordinary Bhutanese movies. 

From PaSsuDiary.com

Read More

Culture rather than Trekking

source: Kuensel

… is what draws most high-end tourists to the country
Unique Selling Point: With its pristine natural environment, Bhutan, many say, is one of the best trekking locations in the world; but, for growing number of visitors, the kingdom is seen more as a cultural destination.

Tour operators said, while the same minimum daily tariff of USD 250 and 200 during the high and lean season applied for both cultural and trekking tourists, selling cultural tour packages was easier.

This, according to tour operators, is largely attributed to the visitors’ profile, and a lack of development on trek routes.

Majority of dollar-paying tourists were above 45 years, and the government’s pricing policy attracted older people, who were rich or had savings, rather than young people seeking an adventurous holiday.

Tourists always complaint that trekking routes lacked development, and that the services provided for treks weren’t worth their money, some tour operators said.  One constant feedback was that trekking in Nepal was much better and cheaper.

There were teahouses, proper campsites and smoother trails in Nepal. “In Bhutan, tourists have no other choices but to camp,” a tour operator said. “The campsites are usually dirty and congested.”

Another tour operator said, during the peak season, they had to rush to reach a campsite, before the other trekkers could get there.

Except for a handful of big travel agencies, which are able to provide all the trekking facilities, most are not able to provide a hassle-free trekking experience.

Rather than trekking, tour operators said walking trips or hiking was picking up.

Others said a tourism master plan was necessary, where trekking can also be diversified and developed further, with a commercial aspect to it. “It can be either privatised or come under park services,” said a tour operator.

Of the 64,028 tourists last year, 3,402 were trekking tourists; while in 2010, there were 2,753 trekking tourists from the total arrival of 40,873.

In 2009, of the 23,480 tourists, 2,404 combined their cultural itinerary with a trek, which included 863, who came particularly to trek.

Of the 27,636 tourists who came in 2008, there were 2,989 trekking tourists with combined itineraries, of which 1,210 came for trekking alone.

This year’s tourist arrival figures for trekking were not available from the tourism council secretariat.

Trekking is a part of nature-based tourism activity, and varies from a night to about 40 nights for the Snowman Trek.

By Kinga Dema

Read More

Chinese couple ties the knot at Chimi Lhakhang Oct 13 2012

source: BBS News

 Coinciding with our Royal Wedding, For the first time, a Chinese couple from Shanghai got married in a traditional Bhutanese way at Chimi Lhakhang in Punakha.

Alex and Angela, decided to celebrate their wedding again in Bhutan, even though the couple was officially married in China in 2008 .

Both of them are from Shanghai.

The couple said they feel honored to be able to get married in Bhutan. Both of them described their wedding as an unforgettable moment of their lives.

The couple’s family members and close friends attended their wedding. Some locals also joined in the occasion.

The wedding ended with Tashi Labey.

Read More