Bhutan, Day IV: Exploring the Intricate Tapestry of Paro Valley
[Post-Edit Note: All pictures and written content in this post was originally created in 2018, unless otherwise credited.]
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So, Paro. It’s probably what people imagine when they think of Bhutan: Historic, cultural, antiquated; accompanied with a sleepy air of quietness that stirs something inside of you that you can’t quite put your finger on. It’s probably what lands most people here in the first place, that romanticised vision of the past, a place to be inspired not so much by things or sights; but rather, an epiphanic awakening of sorts.
If you’ve been here there and everywhere around Bhutan and Paro is your last stop, it will come almost like a relieving alternative. The town quarter is an electic tumble of alleys and shops that lure you in with tea and trinkets, and the place keeps you returning every day just so you may watch more of this quintessential Bhutanese life unfold.
Little specks of flavour, is perhaps how I’d best describe what I found to be the best leg of the trip; and here it’s not so much what you do, than what you feel.
Is it too late into my Bhutan travelogue series to admit that I don’t quite remember what went on in Paro? In my defence, I did declare that Paro isn’t quite the place you come to turbo-tourist through itineraries – ironically, I believe I spent the most number of days here but did the least number of things – to which I can remember, of course.
I do recall alot of dogs though – and there have been so many along the way, but I think things were moving so peacefully slow here that I had the time to actually get attached to them. Smokey, in particular, was an exceptional favourite of mine.
I wonder how he’s doing.
If you have been reading my past three posts – Day 3 in particular – you might recall me low-key whining about how, unless you’re signed on a trek or special interest tour, you pretty much get taken to one too many Dzongs around the country. And to recap, a Dzong is to Bhutan what the Parliament House is to a democratic nation; except a Dzong always houses a Buddhist chapel within the compounds to balance off parliamentary politics with some good old spirituality.
I don’t have anything against Dzongs, just like how I don’t have anything against parliament houses. But I do, however, find myself a tad tired from having to see every Dzong in every district (and there is one in every district) because; really, how does it get any better after Punakha?
It doesn’t.
I have to say though, I am in serious awe of Bhutanese architecture and its screaming magnificence; and there is nothing else in the country that encapsulates and echoes the intricacies of Bhutanese architecture more perfectly than a Dzong. I really, really, really, love it.
On a side note, a trip to Paro’s Rinping Dzong will be accompanied with a visit to the Watch Tower, now used as a National Museum. And I’m really trying to describe this part to the best detail I can muster, but it was honestly the least engaging feature of the trip and I was really, really dying to explore simple, normal, run-of-the-mill everyday life by then.
Discovery happens, better late than never.
The thing about travelling to Bhutan is, unless you’re a citizen of one of the SAARC nations, you can’t visit the country without a declared chaperone (like a friend or a relative); or a tour guide. Meaning if you, like me, fall into the 90% category of the ‘Rest of the World’, your only hopes of gaining access to the country is via a tour agency.
As exotic as Bhutan sounds, it won’t be extraordinarily difficult to find a travel agency that’ll take you there – but it will be tricky to find an itinerary that fulfills everything you hope to achieve out of a trip to a place like Bhutan. I’m a little all over the place and I do next-to-zero research; so as much as I need freedom and personal space and a good blend of off-the-path intrepidity in my program, I also need a lot of baby-ing and typical on-the-path touristy things to dos; because I am that fickle and I am that tiresome and I can be that exasperating to satisfy. That’s right, I am the travel nightmare you never knew about.
My Bhutan trip was done with DrukAsia because they provide a one-to-one tour model (meaning my tour group had all of one person: me) and that is like the best thing I can ever ask for because tour groups are the bane of my existence (unless they’re the Intrepid Travel or Gecko Adventures kind) and I would kill myself if I had to be part of one. Of course, no itinerary will be perfect (not even if you plan one yourself); so while I wished there had been a little bit more real-life experiences instead of an endless slew of Dzongs and monasteries and museums, I also greatly appreciated the flexibility and the guide’s willingness to switch up the itinerary as we went along.
Needless to say, I asked for a hell lot of space and free time; and on days where I felt like I’d been fed an overdose of sights, it was nice to be handed that escape from the rest of the world – in a country that was already an escape from the rest of the world.
On a parting note though, if you’re anything like me but more, you know, well-adjusted; I’d suggest skipping the histrionics of a typical cultural tour and just put your name down for a trek route instead. In retrospect, that would definitely have suited me much better and I would definitely have come back a lot more satiated – but as it turns out, I allowed my laziness and need for comfort talk me out of one, so I guess I’ll just have to live with this terrible lapse in judgment for the rest of my life.
Comments
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shaf.finah
Definitely! If you’re from one of the SAARC countries it’s real easy because you can do a free & easy in Bhutan!💕
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shaf.finah
yeah it’s pretty strange but it’s quite the situation for a small handful of countries in the world! 😅
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Melissa
Beautiful post! These photos are incredible. I have been wanting to explore this side of the world for so long! Hoping I can make it happen in 2021!
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shaf.finah
Oh i’m hoping on that one with you too! 💖
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Sharon
Oh wow, I have lived only 5 hours from Bhutan for last 15 years and have still never been to Bhutan. Do you think it would be easy enough to travel with younger children?
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shaf.finah
this is so cool – where are you at now! yeah i think it’s definitely not a problem for children at all. You might have to sit out the Tiger’s Nest trek cos it might not be suitable especially if they’re much younger… but other than that’s it’s actually pretty kid-friendly!
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shaf.finah
You’re welcome, Carley! 🥰
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Hannah
Firstly, your photography is beautiful! Secondly, thanks for this fascinating insight into visiting Bhutan. I have to admit, it is a country that I know very little about, so it would make a fascinating place to visit. The architecture looks incredible and the dogs look so cute! Thanks for the inspiration, I hope I’ll have an opportunity to visit Bhutan one day!
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shaf.finah
Thank you so much for your kinds words, Hannah! 😘
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Gloria
This is so cool. I was headed to Bhutan when covid hit so had to postpone. Really enjoyed seeing it through your eyes
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shaf.finah
Awww I’m so sorry! Hope you get to reinstate your plans when things get back to normal, Bhutan is an extraordinary experience for anyone!
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Mikaela Musa
Stunning photos! My friend and I talked about going to Bhutan for volunteer work. Now, maybe we should revisit our discussion after reading your blog. It made me want to do it even more!
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shaf.finah
Yes, definitely! If you’re into the rustic rurality of it all I’d recommend you to head further in so you’ll see more than the usual curated ‘Bhutan’ perspective! ❤️
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Sarah
Absolutely love your photos! Bhutan looks like a beautiful place to visit and it’s actually been on my list for a while. Love the market stalls. Interesting you can’t get in without a chaperone!
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shaf.finah
Thank you Sarah! ❤️ And yes, that was really quite a curious thing to find out 😅
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Nina
Your shots of Bhutan are gorgeous. I’ll definitely be considering a visit now.
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shaf.finah
Glad to be of inspiration, Nina! 🧡
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Diane
This looks like a beautiful and fascinating place! You capture some amazing details with your photos. I love your statement “I allowed my laziness and need for comfort talk me out of”… Oh if I had a $1 for every time I did that. 😊
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shaf.finah
😂🤣😂🤣 You’d think I would have at least temporarily shelved my laziness especially during a once-in-a-lifetime trip 😅
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Lyne
What an amazing and interesting place; Bhutan looks like a very nice place to explore and discover the culture. Love your photos!
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shaf.finah
Thank you so much Lyne, that means a lot to me! 💗😘
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Demi
My home town is so close to Bhutan, yet I’ve never visited. Never thought it’s such a wonderful place. Great Blog. Hopefully next time when I visit my parent I will a trip.