Few tourists travel to Bhutan, primarily because the government implements a mandatory daily tariff, making travel to this Himalayan country quite expensive. Compared to its neighbors, India and China, as well as nearby Nepal, a trip to Bhutan can be many times more expensive. But it’s worth it!
With so few foreigners visiting, this means that the Bhutanese are often as fascinated by the foreigners, with their sunglasses and cameras and driving in their mini buses with a guide and driver, as we are with them. I went for a number of early morning walks on my own and during these walks, the young monks would eagerly offer me a “hello” and in one case, an elderly gentleman walked with me along the winding street. I’m fairly certain that if we had a language in common I would have been invited in for tea.
I can fairly confidently say that the Bhutanese are the gentlest people I’ve met in my travels.
Woman at Paro’s Sunday Market
I loved seeing this man with his walk stick and his mala (prayer) beads
An old woman I met at the beginning of one of our hikes.
Travel Well,
Beth
Related links:
Bhutan Tour – Photography Tour with Brenda Tharp
Bhutan Tour – Buddhism Focused Tour with Beth Whitman
Photo of the Day: Prayer Wheels – Bhutan
Photo of the Day: Men at Cao Dai Temple
Photo of the Day: Buddhist Bells
Photo of the Day: Himalayan High
Photo of the Day: Sitting Saddhu
Photo of the Day: Varanasi Saris
Photo of the Day: Bangkok Flowers
Photo of the Day: Bhutan Prayer Flags
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Those are faces that have a lot of stories to tell. I’m interested in these young monks, I gather that it’s just part of the life education to be a monk and does not necessarily mean you’ll be one all your life.
Hi, I’m surprised how willing they are to let you photograph them. In Guatemala it’s really a problem. Even girls just making tortillas at the local market either fully turn away or say NO!
Even if you offer them money.
Great pictures!
Photo Friday – Guatemala Zoo will surprise you!
Beth, it sounds like you had an amazing trip. I agree with Heather that the picture of the monks is especially intriguing. What beautiful boys.
The eyes. The faces. The expressions. The wisdom. The lives, oh so different from ours, that they have. Intriguing and thought-provoking. Thank you for these wonderful pictures.
Debby (Tea, Sugar, a Dream)
What great portraits! They’re faces tell such a story. Beautiful photography!
Peace
fantastic images of a culture few people get to see in person. enjoyed!
Great photos! I love photos of people and they are hard to get!
That monastery behind the monk must be the most photographed place in Bhutan as I have seen it a lot so it is the image I associate with Bhutan. Must be a highlight there and it certainly looks beautiful. It reminds me a little of those on top of cliffs in Meteora, Greece.
Beautiful photos and compelling words. Someday I hope to take a tour with you, Beth!
I have ALWAYS wanted to go here. These pictures only increase that desire–great shots!
A penny for his thoughts…of the monk with the cliffs & monastary behind him.
they all look so happy and content
I’m also wondering what the young man with the cliffs and the monastery is thinking.
wonderful photos
Beautiful photos. I was also surprised that your subjects would pose for you. Too bad you didn’t have tea. That wuold be an interesting story.