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‘It’s the last Shangri-la’

Architect Nisha Jamvwal, who recently visited the hermetic mountain hideaway of Bhutan, explains why she loved its prayer flags, gentle folk and beautiful views.

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For someone who has “roller coaster schedules and tough deadlines — that make for a madding crowd”, architect Nisha Jamvwal’s trip to mountainous Bhutan was a much needed-escape. “High in the Himalayas, it’s unspoiled and pure. Nothing prepared me for this last Shangri-la on earth. The customs, friendly people and deeply-held beliefs was therapeutic,” she says.

Monasteries & mystery:
Nisha stayed in the heart of the Himalayas, in Thimphu, the charming capital, 7500 feet above sea level. "I awoke to the towering mystical mountains with my suite overlooking the Wang Chu river everyday. Situated in the centre of this capital city, I chose this hotel because it has adopted age-old Bhutanese traditions in its architecture and I adored the magnificent panoramic views of neighbouring mountains," she says.

At Thimpu that she calls, "probably one of the smallest capitals in the world in a pristine valley," she visited Paro twice. "The most memorable places are the Dzongs, which are the fortified monasteries and the temples all with astonishing views over mountains and of rivers. Paro's traditional covered bridge up the drive through the valley to the atmospheric ruins of Drukgyel Dzong, winding hill of fields, monasteries, picturesque villages, prayer wheels and children with whom I posed for pictures — were lovely," she smiles.

Momos &  butter flavoured tea: With the weather being cold there was no surprises as to the culinary fare. "The food in Bhutan is very spicy, in fact, all roofs of the old houses are strewn with red chillies drying for the winter, used as a vegetable — and the national dish of Bhutan is ema datshi — the chilli cheese curry which I loved," adds Nisha. She also enjoyed the local momos, yak cheese and meat soups. "The tea in Bhutan took a little getting used to with its peculiar butter flavour," she smiles. 

Mysticism re-beckons:
Nisha picked up a few hand-woven products and antiquities from the local Thimpu bazaar. "I would go back to Bhutan every few months if I could, and never again will I voluntarily go to Switzerland, given a choice," states Nisha. "The Wang Chu River winding down adjacent the street calls me back, as do the mountains, mysticism, quiet-itude and humility of Buddhism, that far surpasses any tailor-made clockwork tourism for me!"                                    

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