Bhutan

My father-in-law is considering a trip to Bhutan (along with a visit to India and the Taj Mahal) with his lifelong friend of at least fifty years. These two journeyed to Machu Picchu and South America together last year, and had no problem reaching the summit -- at around 65 years of age! Clearly I will have to give it a go sometime as well...in the meantime, I'm suggesting they try out for the Amazing Race!

Anyhow, I have offered to do some research for the two as their planning their travels, and here are some interesting things that I've uncovered...

Bhutan is a landlocked country between India and China, and is often called the "Last Shangri-La". Tourism is regulated by the government to preserve the Tibetan Buddhist traditions of the country (and its pristine mountainous environment). The country is currently an absolute monarchy, but in 2008, they will see some major political changes with a new parliamentary democracy and a new constitution. Bhutan is linked historically and culturally with Tibet, but more politically and economically with India (they even widely accept the Indian Rupee). Oh, and they have some immigration issues with Nepal...I'll have to do more reading on that. There is an international airport with limited service in the city of Paro, but the capital and most major city is Thimphu. There is also a town called Phuentsholing, on the Indian border, that is the only other international gateway -- you can enter the country there by bus from Calcutta (there is no train service to Bhutan). The only way to visit Bhutan is to be an invited guest by a local dignitary (good luck), or to book yourself on a packaged tour by a licensed operator. While the government does not officially limit the number of visas it gives out, there is a high tourist tarriff to visit the country, and you are required to spend a minimum of around $200 US dollars per day -- all inclusive, though.

Some other information I found interesting:
-Early Spring (Feb-March) and early Autumn (Sep-Nov) are considered the best times to visit.
-The country is 6 hrs ahead of GMT; 30 min. ahead of India (I find that somewhat strange)
-There are no ATMs in the country, and credit card acceptance is limited
-They have fabulous festivals!
-English appears to be one of two official languages (though many different dialects of languages are spoken)
-You will not find a US embassy there, but you can contact the office of the consulate general of Bhutan in the US at the UN in New York
-The national sport is archery, but soccer is widely popular as well
-Robes are required dress for Bhutanese citizens (women and men), and smoking is banned
-Architecture is stunning and most conform to traditional design (even gas stations!)
-Use of plastic bags is banned
-Two big resort companies just built amazing properties there -- one is called Uma Paro, the other is an Amanresort called Amankora (eg. Amangani in Jackson Hole)
-The focus of the country is more on Gross National Happiness than GDP -- sounds like an uplifting place in more ways than just altitude!