Romance Amidst Serenity: Krishna’s Memorable Bhutan Getaway with Thrillophilia
“Wait, where’s your Kindle?” my partner asked with a concerned voice.
That’s how our journey to Bhutan began—a mix of excitement and a classic Krishna blunder.
After landing at Paro International Airport, I realized I’d left my Kindle on the plane. No kidding, I panicked like a little kid who lost its favourite toy. Just as the wave of regret started creeping in, luckily, Ayushi from Thrillophilia came to the rescue. A few calls, some extra effort from the team, and voilà! My Kindle was back in my hands. If this was the start, I could only imagine how the rest of our trip would unfold.
The Calm & Charm of Thimphu!
I believe there could not have been a better start to our trip than Thimphu. It welcomed us with a vibe so calm, it felt like the world had hit pause.
Our first stop was the National Memorial Chorten, a spot where we got a glimpse of Bhutan’s culture- locals walking in peaceful circles with joined hands and whispering prayers. If you ask me, it was the kind of place that makes you slow down and just be. My partner, clearly in awe of the peaceful surroundings, commented, “Can we take this calm back home?”
Then, we met the grand Buddha Dordenma, and trust me, this statue is massive- not just in size but also in presence. Standing there, our eyes were glued to the breathtaking views of the entire valley, we simply couldn’t stop staring. The view was one thing, but the sense of peace it gave?- something else entirely!
The highlight of Thimphu, though, was meeting Jigme, Bhutan’s famous foot artist. I am not sure how many of you have heard about him but when you are in Bhutan, you’ve got to meet him.
“What would you like me to create?” he asked, holding a brush between his toes. We settled on a landscape to remind us of Bhutan. He understood exactly what we were asking for and gave us a masterpiece.
“This is perfect,” my partner whispered, holding the beautiful painting in her hand.
Just as I thought, Thimphu wasn’t loud or flashy, instead, it was soft, quiet, and deeply memorable. It is a place where even the simplest moments felt like they carried meaning. As we drove away, I couldn’t help but think, “If peace were a place, it’d look a lot like this.”
A Wild Ride to the Tiger’s Nest!
“Ready to ride?” our guide grinned as we stood next to two horses. My wife got the calm and graceful Luma, while I was handed Chimi, a feisty stallion with mischief in his eyes. “Oh, this guy seems perfect for you, doesn’t he?” My wife teased.
The moment we started our climb towards the Tiger’s Nest, Chimi decided he was the boss. He raced ahead, sidestepped randomly, and occasionally stopped to snort at the scenery. Meanwhile, Luma carried my wife gracefully, like a queen on her royal tour. “Switch with me?” I pleaded, “No way,” she laughed. “You two are meant for each other!”
Halfway up, Mr. Chimi decided he didn’t like being left behind. So, he galloped right up to Luma, nudging her like they were old pals. “Looks like Chimi’s flirting,” I joked. My wife rolled her eyes and added, “Maybe he just wants better company.”
Finally, we reached the viewpoint, and to my utter surprise- the Tiger’s Nest Monastery looked like it was glued to the cliffside, daring gravity to mess with it. Seeing the beauty of this monastery that I’d heard so much about was worth the wild climb.
As we stood there, catching our breath, my wife smiled. “You and Chimi really bonded back there.” I laughed. “Yeah, but next time, I’m picking Luma!”
The Vibrant Colours of Punakha
“Can you believe this place?” I asked my wife in wonder, staring at the Punakha Dzong. Situated between two rivers, it looked like something out of a fantasy movie. My wife smiled, taking in the view, “It’s like stepping into a postcard,” she said, pulling out her phone for yet another picture.
We strolled through the Dzong’s lush gardens, soaking in the serenity and enjoying the calm vibes. At one point, I tried to act like a tour guide- “And here we have the... uh, sacred tree of... green leaves?” She burst out laughing and replied, “Stick to your day job, Krishna!”
The next stop was Paro, and as we drove through winding roads, our guide, Mr. Karma, kept us entertained with stories about Bhutanese legends. “He’s like Bhutan’s version of Netflix,” I whispered to my wife.
The Calm of Paro
In Paro, we wandered through colorful shops and decided to try some local food. The moment Ema Datshi arrived, my wife’s eyes lit up. “Finally, Deepika Padukone’s favorite dish!” she said, eagerly scooping up the spicy goodness.
I bit into a momos,“Spicy, but totally worth it!” She laughed, sliding over her glass of water. “Toughen up, city boy.”
By the time we reached Phuentsholing, we were already planning a return trip to this magical destination. “Next time, we’ll bring friends,” she said. “Nah,” I replied, squeezing her hand. “This place feels too special to share.”
And just like that, our beautiful trip to Bhutan came to an end and we had to say goodbye with a heavy heart. On our way back home, we couldn’t help but relive all the beautiful memories we had created together. Whether it was exploring the monasteries, a crazy ride to the Tiger’s Nest, admiring the lush green valleys or trying various Bhutan delicacies- every moment of this trip was special. Even after all these good memories, the trip still felt incomplete as there was so much more to do and see. Realising this, we promised each other for a revisit next year and explore this remarkable destination as much as we can!
Read More: Thrillophilia Bhutan Reviews