It all starts with a spectacular view of the Emperor of the Himalayas - Mt. Everest in all its glory, as dawn breaks over what is by far the most imposing range of mountains in the world. The immensely skilled pilots of Druk Air ( Bhutan's national airline) point out the range ( Kanchenjunga, too) as the plane flies enviously close to it.What an introduction to a destination! As we landed in Paro ( Bhutan's international airport), after a two and a half hour flight from Delhi, it does occur to me that one tiny pilot error, and we might have lost a significant number of contemporary Indian writers ( there were so many on the flight!).
I cannot begin to tell you how enchanting this mountain kingdom is - starting with the stunningly beautiful Queen Mother, Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuk, and the young, devastatingly handsome King, Jigme Dorji. We are lucky to be here during this most auspicious season, and especially on the day when King Jigme announced his engagement to a beauteous local princess. I met them at a dinner hosted by our erudite, charming and efficient Ambassador\ author Pawan Varma( the force behind the Lit Fest, evocatively titled 'Mountain Echoes')at his 70- acre, thickly wooded official residence ( it has its own golf course). Perhaps it was an impromptu visit by His Majesty, but as soon as guests were told he'd be arriving shortly with his bride-to-be, the atmosphere changed dramatically! I was told he doesn't like being photographed, but when I asked, he posed most sportingly with his lovely fiancee. I shall share pics on my return... I took a few of the Queen Mum ( who has written two splendid books on Bhutan), and who was with her young daughter ( a Harvard graduate ) - who has also written a book on Bhutan ( its constitution), explaining it to kids! What an extraordinarily good looking royal family.... and for all that, so down to earth, gracious and kind. No wonder their people adore them. And are so proud to be Bhutanese.
14 comments:
tales of kings n queens...sounds all mystical n fairy tale like :)
range of mountains - Photographs plz.
One pilot error.....
Thank God, it was one of those fake pilot who saved the literary luminaries. Trained pilot would have committed that small error :)
tell me, mz de. is butan richly, thickly wooded country? you know, the kind where trees look like broccoli from up in the air. i mean, for 6 sraight days our brave soldiers were combing the country for the ill-fated plane carrying CM dorjee, only to discover it in our own country, a mere 10 km from the take off destination. this looking for our people in other people's countries simply has to stop. now, nations on both our borders, east and west, are laughing at us. "bagal mein chhora, sheher mein dhindora". what is to become of this country, i aks you!
M'am, just enjoy the weather! Its baking here in India!
Shobha Ji. Aape ke writin mein kuch magic hei ..ki padhne ka maja aur kahee bhi itna nahee feel hota hei!
It's amazing how well they have kept their nation so tyte & fresh! Love everything about Bhutan! So simple & beautiful. I agree, it's very nicely written. Enjoy the weather as much as you can. Oh yeah, don't forget to take pix of the ancient cave (gompa) monastery. Loving the royal family's last name (Wangchuk); it is Lord Shiva's Tibetan name<3 Ms.De you should watch some of Bhutanese films, they are so sad and big time reality check kind. Mostly, about spiritual related. Love those! So simple & meaningful.
Can you mention the names of books authored by the Queen and her daughter? Would love to read something more about our neighbour, who for a change isn't hostile to us...
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