"Since 1971, the country [Bhutan] has rejected GDP as the only way to measure progress. In its place, it has championed a new approach to development, which measures prosperity through formal principles of gross national happiness (GNH) and the spiritual, physical, social and environmental health of its citizens and natural environment." ~ Annie Kelly

Day 2 ~

Yes, +975 is the country code for Bhutan and as we began our second day, 
we were in complete agreement...

as we traveled east from Thimpu to Punahka, the former capital of Bhutan,
 and back to Paro for a full day of discovering happiness.

Steadily climbing through the Himalaya Mountains to an elevation of 10,200 feet,
we arrived at Dochula Pass...

and its 108 chortens known as the 'chortens of victory'...

built in memory of the soldiers 
who died in the 2003 battle with insurgents from India.

The views from this vantage point are amazing...

and the temple itself was built in celebration of...

100 years of monarchy in Bhutan.

Driving further east to Punakha from the pass,
 we enjoyed many flowering trees...

disinterested bystanders...

and varied landscapes...

 before approaching Punakha along the Mo Chuu River... 

and the country's most beautiful dzong... 
Pungthang Dewachen Phodrang...

or Palace of Great Happiness.
The wedding of the current king took place in this impressive location.

Its position at the point where...

 the Pho Chuu and the Mo Chuu (male and female) rivers meet...

has caused flooding of the dzong in the past.

However, warmer temperatures in Punakha...

have awarded its title of 'winter capital of Bhutan'...

making this dzong the perfect place for the head of clergy...

and his supporting monks to spend the winters.

Behind the dzong is Bhutan's longest suspension bridge
 and one of the oldest in the world...

160 meters (almost 2 football fields) connects the neighboring villages to the dzong. 

My last words to RenMan were don't jump!

 We enjoyed lunch among the spectacular views...

at Como Uma Punakha before our long drive back to Paro
 for the remainder of our time in Bhutan.

 The Tshechu festival coming right up.