Not a rich country but happy
I always thought Bhutan was ranked as the happiest country in the world but when I looked at the United Nations Happiness Report 2019, Bhutan is placed at 97! But that does not really matter when you visit this landlocked Buddhist kingdom known equally for its Dzongs(fortresses) and mountainous landscape. Bhutan pioneered the concept of gross national happiness.
I had 5 days and decided to base myself in Paro, contrary to what most tourists do. I dislike packing and unpacking every 2 days! For the first 3 nights, I stayed in a resort near Tiger’s Nest and in a Paro town hotel on the last 2 nights. I had only booked the first 3 nights in advance before departing Bengaluru. I checked out 3 Paro town hotels before booking a room in one of the hotels facing the main street on Day 1.
Paro is picture post card kind of a small town located in a wide valley, wide enough for a small international airport to be built. The views of the mountain tops are pure delight as the plane descends into Paro airport. I could easily feel the plane banking sharply, with hills on either side and making a steep descent/ascent. Paro airport is surrounded by mountains as high as 18,000 ft.
There is no restriction on clicking pictures at the airport and many passengers, including me, got busy with the cameras. What helps is that the passengers have to walk to the terminal building- no buses, and no question of aero-bridges for the 4-5 flights that land and take off in a day.
If you have a guide/ driver, remember to pick up a local SIM(minimum amount Nu/INR 200) as the guide/driver is unlikely to be able to call your international number.
Generally, you will be free in the evenings to either do some shopping, explore different restaurants, indulge in spa treatment or relax in the hotel.