A spectacular arrival.
Call me dramatic, but I’m not. Reaching Bhutan is, in itself, something extraordinary. The plane flies over the Himalayas and, if you’re lucky, the captain will point out where to look to catch sight of Everest, Lhotse, or Makalu.
You haven’t even landed yet, and already the journey feels worthwhile.
And while it’s true that Paro’s airport is considered one of the most challenging in the world, the moment you set foot there, it feels as though you’ve arrived in paradise.
The country of happiness.
In Bhutan, success is measured less by GDP and more by GNH — Gross National Happiness — which places psychological well-being, health, culture, and the environment at the heart of progress.
Happiness is more than a goal; it is a mission, a purpose actively pursued. The statistics may say what they will, but I can only speak for myself: this is the country of happiness, and that is exactly how I felt. You haven’t even landed yet, and already the journey feels worthwhile.
Everything falls into place
Everything seems to work just as you dreamed it would. And one of the things we travelers dream of is authenticity, and the absence of crowds. Bhutan has successfully protected itself from mass tourism, preserving its identity, values, and traditions intact.
Respect for everyone and everything runs deep here. Want an example? The country’s highest mountain, Gangkhar Puensum, at 7,570 meters, has never been climbed.
A stark contrast to the overcrowded Everest, where tons of waste now litter its surroundings. For the Bhutanese, their highest peak is the dwelling place of the gods and the gods must be respected. And so they are.
I left something behind in Bhutan
When it’s time to leave, you try to hold on to the happiness you’ve felt there, hoping it won’t fade. And yet, I felt I left something of myself behind — my spirit, and that deep sense of calm.
A couple of hours later, you land in Kathmandu, in Nepal, and the bustle begins — the crowds, the noise… Reality.
Roser Lloveras
