"The world has few secrets left, but Bhutan is one of them. This is why I went there. Isolated from the outside for three centuries, this forbidden Kingdom in the Himalayas provides the setting for a bewitching adventure amongst widely varying peoples and terrain". ~ Kartie Hickman, Author

Day 1 ~

After being seamlessly whisked through the immigration process in Paro, Bhutan ...

our welcome toast with Karma, our guide for the next four days,

sealed the deal on Best.First.Impression.

We had four days to absorb as much of this culture as possible
and Breathe Bhutan  guided us throughout.
Since jet lag was not an issue, we left immediately for Buddha Dordenma...
built to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the 4th king of Bhutan...

before heading into the capital city of Thimpu for our first meal in Bhutan.
Pleasantly, not as spicy as I had heard.

 After lunch, we squeezed in some shopping...

at a weaving center where some rugs take the artisan one year to complete...

and observed the fascinating process of making paper.

The Thimphu market awaited...

where we were introduced to yak cheese.
Yes, yak cheese.
I was happy to have seen it early on in our visit 
because it is common for the locals to have a piece of this in their mouths,
 "to keep their mouths busy".
This was observed often throughout our time in Bhutan.
Never did get a taste for myself.😟

 Tashichho Dzong,

  or Thimpu Dzong... 

 has been the seat of Bhutan government since 1962...

 and also houses the throne room... 

and offices of the king...

in addition to monastic quarters.

Each day after the government offices close at 5:00 p.m.,

guests are allowed to visit.

Next to our hotel for the night...

is the National Memorial Chorten or Stupa... 

where people pay homage...

sunrise to sunset.

Turns out, our night was just beginning
 and after a quick check-in to our hotel...

we met one of the owners of the travel agency for dinner
 and a visit to his live music bar, Mojo Park.

One of our favorite nights of the entire trip, 
and a perfect example of the personal attention Breathe Bhutan provides.
Day 2 coming right up!