Wednesday, March 27, 2024 – Photo of the Day – Paro, Bhutan

**John & Sandy in our finest Bhutanese Festival Costumes for our Farewell Dinner in Paro, Bhutan**

Where in the World Are We?

We are in Paro, Bhutan, in the Himalayas in South East Asia

Today’s Excursion – Paro, Bhutan

National Museum, Farmhouse lunch, Paro Dzong, Farewell Bhutanese Dragon Tent Dinner and Dancers

We explored the kingdom’s rich culture and heritage at the National Museum of Paro, where an intriguing collection of artifacts provided an excellent introduction. Unfortunately, photos were not allowed inside the museum. The sections included paintings of different Buddhas, Mandellas (which show the way to Nirvana and Enlightenment), bronze statues, clothing from the ages, tools and farm implements, and weaponry. The museum’s purpose is to preserve Bhutan’s culture and heritage.

Tour the fortress of Paro Dzong, featured in Keanu Reeve’s film Little Buddha

Our tour continued with a visit to the Paro Dzong. Built to defend Paro from the Tibetan invasion, this fortress is also known as Rinpung Dzong, the ‘Fortress of a Heap of Jewels.’ This fine example of Bhutanese architecture now serves as the Paro District’s central monastic and administrative seat. In 1993, the Paro Dzong had its first Hollywood appearance when the Keanu Reeves film Little Buddha was partially filmed here.

Visit the local farmer’s market

Farmhouse Lunch

Our guide took us to a traditional farmhouse to enjoy a traditional lunch. He told us that 62% of Bhutanese are farmers. They raise their rice, vegetables, fruit, and livestock and are self-sufficient, leading a simple life. Plowing, planting, and growing crops were all manual or with a water buffalo. They had no running water, sat and slept on mats and cushions, and had one light bulb per room. They lived off the grid in a primitive, ancient civilization. Bhutan is the only country in the world that is carbon-positive. They have a model to follow if you want a green, carbon-neutral, positive environment.

Approaching the farmhouse with haystacks for livestock feeding

FOREST & FORTRESS FAREWELL DINNER

Amidst the pine forest and the calming sounds of the brooks and streams flowing through the forest, we took this opportunity to dine under an intricately embroidered, traditional Bhutanese Ceremonial Tent. The Bhutanese Dragon tent is gently lit with stringed lights and numerous flickering lanterns across the forest. Warmth and ambiance are created with many candles and traditional Bhutanese music.

A traditional dance performance by a musical troupe with Amankora signature cocktails and canapés while enjoying a traditional Bhutanese dinner prepared by the in-house Bhutanese chef.