The net says that Bhutan, known to the natives as
Druk Yul (Land of the Thunder Dragon), is regarded as the last paradise on
earth. Its isolation, spectacular mountains, varied flora and fauna, ancient
Buddhist monasteries, vibrant culture and mystic aura have made it so.
Though small in size, the Kingdom's topography is one of contrasts. From the near-tropical southern border with India at an altitude of almost 1,000 feet above sea level, the land rises to 23,000 foot peaks of the Himalaya in the north, forming the border with Tibet (now a region in China).
On Saturday morning, my friend Joy and I will fly into Paro airport. Paro is in a deep valley on the bank of the river Paro Chuu at an elevation of 7,300 ft with surrounding peaks as high as 18,000 ft. The airport is considered one of the world's most challenging airports, and as of October 2009, only eight pilots in the world were certified to land there. Flights in and out of Paro are allowed under visual meteorological conditions only from sunrise to sunset.
Photos upon my return on October 20!