That's something particularly in Bhutan, to be realized not immediately. Not everywhere colorful would be fluttering prayer flags in the Wind, you might think you're in the Engadine, in the Rhone - or in the maggia valley. But the Himalayan Kingdom is higher than it seems. The legs are irritatingly difficult, the breath is hardly. Perhaps it is why today so quiet in our Minibus, we are traveling for days. How are we supposed to do it, the clawing at 3000 meters above sea level on a vertical rock just to go to the tiger's nest? Any Locals want to visit the Shrine once in a lifetime, every Tourist wants to see it, but not everyone reaches the goal.

This first impression is a metaphor for the country: There's more, as you can see, and sometimes you have to stop in order to move forward. The pace is leisurely. Just two scheduled flights arrive here daily; per year, as many as in Zurich in a day. The entry switch are made of wood, the Luggage belt curves like a model railway, the miniature version of the monastery and castle of Punakha, near the longest suspension bridge in Bhutan is located.

The state uses tourism for the happiness of its inhabitants

More tourists could be the country, wedged between India and China, also not even accommodate. It is as small as Switzerland, but has ten times fewer inhabitants. The infrastructure away from the main road is improved only slowly. Only in the past few years, there is television, Internet and cell phone reception. The spirit of Bhutan, however, better than the West. Also because it has made the leap into the modern era, a lot of things right.

Our mini bus driver Pema must sound the horn once. A cow has made it next to dozing dogs on the Asphalt cozy and absolutely want to be is not the way. So relaxed, only animals can be in the Buddhist environment. "Anyone who runs over a cow, it must pay the owner Double their value," says travel companion Galey, who can convince anyone so convinced individual tourists by the charm of a guided trip.

The luxury resort, Thimphu. Photo: PD

this is Also part of Bhutan's happiness strategy. When the then king decided 45 years ago to open up to the world, he knew that he cannot compete with the capitalist countries anyway, and defined its own currency: the national happiness.

anyone Who wants to enter, you must book through the official provider, and at least 250 dollars a day to spend – for a local guide, Accommodation and all other costs. So Bhutan protects from mass tourism. In addition, 65 dollars in the education and medical care flow. Both for the residents free of charge. And happiness-promoting.

International Hotels are allowed since very recently. The luxury chain Six Senses was allowed to build along the most beautiful places in the country, is only logical: it carries the concept of sustainability in Bhutan in their DNA. The spacious Lodges blend seamlessly into the environment. They rely on traditional elements and minimalist luxury. There are a lot of rest and no plastic. The water is served in reusable bottles. The vegetables when possible from the hotel's own garden.

It is like in Bhutan itself: food will only be imported if the farmers produce too little. On disposable plastic, the Locals, or you can use it again. Nothing is wasted.

be Nice and for good Karma to worry

anyone Who wants to, can get in the Hotel of an astrologers advice for the present and the next life as the Locals do before making important decisions. Superstition is ubiquitous. Even in the investigative weekly newspaper "The Bhutanese" is a guide heading: Today is a good day for spiritual rituals, but a bad one, to start a new business.

We want to nest only to the Tiger. On the drive there Galey of Guru Rinpoche, who brought Buddhism to Bhutan told us. He had flown on the back of a tiger on the promontory where today the sanctuary is standing. Stories like this of the 29 recited-Year-old so, of course, as the most recent sports news: "Liverpool has yesterday lost 0 to 2 against Napoli."

Also guide Galey is dressed in a Gho. Photo: Denise Jeitziner

Like most men Galey wearing the local costume. The Gho is stockings kind of a short Bathrobe with a knee. The women wear the Kira, a floor length wrap skirt with a jacket. Traditions of how to preserve these, is a fundamental pillar of happiness philosophy. Another is the deeply anchored Buddhist way of life. Mantras such as "Keep the environment clean & green" are on signs on the roadside. "No hurry, no worry". "Don't create bad karma. Don't leave behind to injured animal". So, protect the environment, always nice and relaxed stay and care for animals to wear. In short: be Nice and for good Karma to worry about.

After five days in Bhutan, we feel it also. The nasty mosquito in the bedroom, we can live. Someone of us will recognize in a dog with different colored eyes is the reincarnation of David Bowie and sings "Ziggy Stardust". The water bottle we fill to dispose of, instead of you carelessly. We want to make it finally to the tiger's nest and finally the Himalayan mountains, yet the weather or Karma was too bad for it.

if you don't trust yourself all the way, can be up to half of mules wearing. The muddy path leads over roots through a damp forest, sometimes he gives a short glance to the sanctuary high above. Three-quarters of the country is forested, and each year on the 2. June plants all Native to a new tree. Bhutan absorbs more CO2 than it produces. There is also no SUV parents, her children's chauffeur. Even the Smallest run to school, although some need several hours.

Soon everyone is following our thoughts, to Talk the air is precious; only the jungle chirping and our breath can be heard. Always the prayer flags to. Not one of those irritating make, to overtake. And then it shows up after hours out of the fog: the tiger's nest, our goal. Inside barren expect us rooms, meditators, monks, and altars with bizarre images. Our cell phones, we had to give; it is strange to see everything so carefully.

Behind a curtain of the Lama for a blessing welcomes us. We sit reverently on the low table, and sang spiritual mumbles in the singing. Just at this Moment the solitary maker decides in the corner for a flush cycle. The Karma nimmts locker: On the flight home, over the Himalayas and it gives us a clear view of the Mount Everest, the roof of the world.

The trip was made possible by Windrose – Finest-Travel and the luxury hotel chain Six Senses.

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Created: 28.02.2020, 14:47 PM