The Norbu Bhutan Bimonthly Newsletter July-August 2016 Dear Readers, Greetings from Norbu Bhutan Travel! The purpose of our electronic bimonthly newsletter is to keep our clients in the picture as to what is of interest or new in the Bhutan travel industry. It is a step to enhance our service to nurture the bonds of trust and goodwill with our guests and partners on which lie the foundations of our company. Started in 2008, we have earned a reputation for excellence in the travel industry. Today, we are a professional and competitive inbound tour operator that has successfully avoided the pitfall of over expansion at the risk of losing the "personal touch" that we foster in all our services. We boast a hand selected network of hotels, highly trained guides and the best of transportation facilities. Above all, we make it our business to provide our guests with the journey a lifetime that is made easier by the unique beauty of Bhutan. Our company is licensed by the Tourism Council of Bhutan, which is the government agency monitoring all tourism policies, guidelines and activities. We are also an active member of the Association of Bhutanese Tour Operators. Tashi Delek
REVIVAL OF THE DIVINE MADMAN, LAM DRUKPA KUENLEY S TRAIL APRIL 25, 2016 Her Majesty the Queen Mother Ashi Tshering Pem Wangchuck, the President of the Bhutan Youth Development Fund, revived The Divine Madman, Lam Drukpa Kuenley s trail on 23rd April, 2016.The main purpose of Her Majesty s walk was to revive the ancient trail of The Divine Madman and promote the eco-tourism projects under My Gakidh Village program of YDF. This is one of the main activities of My Gakidh Village to curb rural urban migration and empower rural youth with livelihood skills. A very important ancient route had been forgotten for decades. The route connects 21 villages, each with interesting culture, trade and rich diversity of Flora and Fauna. It was this path that the Yogi Drukpa Kunley used to hunt the demons. And along this forgotten trail are many nyes related to Lam Drukpa Kunley. BHUTAN IS PERFECT FOR BONSAI ART The bonsai master trained agriculture officials in making bonsai trees and made presentations at a talk show during the Royal Bhutan Flower exhibition 2016. Bonsai uses cultivation techniques like pruning, root reduction, potting, defoliation, and grafting to produce small trees that mimic the shape and style of mature, full-size trees. Bonsai is not intended for production of food or for medicine. Bonsai practice focuses on long-term cultivation and shaping of one or more small trees in a container. The purposes of bonsai are primarily contemplation for the viewer and the pleasant exercise of effort and ingenuity for the grower. The art of bonsai tree-making brings peace to the maker, Masashi Hirao said. He added that Bhutanese are different from people elsewhere. He said the people appreciate and value his art but don t put a commercial tag on it. Elsewhere, people just want to buy them and are not really interested in knowing how it is done. I hope that one day Japanese will see Bhutanese do well with this art and then learn from them, Masashi Hirao said. (Source Kuensel)
PLACES TO VISIT TANGO GOEMBA THIMPHU Wikipedia image This monastery was founded by Lama Gyalwa Lhanangpa in the 12 th century and the present building was built in the 15 th century by the Divine Madman, Lama Drukpa Kunley. In 1616 Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal visited Tango and mediated in a Cave near the monastery. His meditation helped ensure the defeat of an invading Tibetan army. The head Lama, a descendent of Lama Drukpa Kunley presented the goemba to shabdrung, who carved a scandal wood statue of Chenrezig which he installed in the monastery. The picturesque three-storey toer and several surrounding buildings were built in the 18 th century by the eighth Desi, Druk Rabgye and Shabdrung Jigme Chhogyel added the golden roof in the 19 th century. CHERI GOEMBA This monastery was built by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel in 1620. A silver chorten inside the monastery holds the ashes of Shabdrung s father. The goemba is situated about half an hour walk from Dodena (alt. 2,600m). The trail commences by crossing a lovely covered bridge that spans the Thimphu Chhun, and then climbs steeply to the monastery.
TERMA LINCA RESORT & SPA, THIMPHU Which means Treasure Palace, is a luxury resort that combines cosmopolitan charm with traditional Bhutanese elegance. Resting on the curve of the Wangchu (Thimphu river) just outside of the capital Thimphu, the resort retains a natural ambience through its simple and refined architecture. Although located in a peaceful setting, the resort is just five minutes ride from the bustling capital Thimphu, and so it also offers guests the opportunity to enjoy the buzz and cultural life of the city. Hotel Facilities & Services Business Center Fitness Center High-Speed Internet Restaurant Room Service Suites Bar/Lounge Housekeeping Rooms No. of Rooms Deluxe 18 suite 6 Total 24 Post Box 2009, Babesa, Thimphu Tel: +975-2-351490/351491/351623 Fax: +975-2-351629 Email:
Le Meridien Thimphu Cuisine; Pan Asia at its finest Named after the fabled "Golden Mushrooms" of Bhutan, Sese Shamu entices curious gourmands with a taste of the Far-East. Available only for dinner, and offering up a delectable variety of South-East Asia's finest and most popular dishes, each dish is a work of art itself - carefully prepared and tastefully presented by our master chefs. The perfect venue for an intitmate evening out, or for a celebration, Sese Shamu promises the discerning guest to meal fit to satiate the Buddha's belly. Location : Lobby Level Seating : 78 Covers Operation Hours : Dinner : 19:00 hrs. 23:00 hrs. Atmosphere : Elegant Design : Modern Dress Code : Smart Casual Telephone No. : +975 2 337788 Did you know.? The national bird of Bhutan is the Raven. It adorns the royal crown. The raven represents the deity Gonpo Jarodongchen, one of the chief guardian deities of Bhutan. Expected Temperature in July/August Month Values in Celsius Paro Thimphu Punakha Trongsa Bumthang Mongar Trashigang July Max 26.8 18.9 32.0 25.3 14.1 16.1 31.5 Min 14.9 13.4 21.6 15.3 10.9 15.8 23.1 August Max 25.3 25.0 31.4 23.8 23.0 25.4 30.2 Min 14.7 15.8 19.8 15.0 13.7 19.6 22.7 *To be noted that average temperatures are recorded from valley floors. There can be considerable divergences from the recorded figures depending upon elevation
Contact and Address 3 rd Floor, Gongzin Lam, Post Box 1213 Thimphu, Bhutan Phone: +975-2-340151, 340152, 340153 Fax: +975-2-340150 Email: info@norbubhutan.com Visit us at www.norbhutan.com Representative Office Eros Metro Mall, Sector-14, Dwarka, New Dehli-110075 Tel: +91 11 28084902/28084907/28084904 Fax: +91 11 28084907 info@visitbhutan.com / www.visitbhutan.com