Echoes of Serenity: Krishna’s Bhutan Journey with Thrillophilia
The early morning mist stuck to the fields outside the Bagdogra Airport, blurring the line between reality and dream. As Krishna stepped out with his wife, he felt a quiet anticipation in the air, like the first pages of the story yet to unfold.
BHUTAN, The Land of Thunder Dragon - had always been a place that fascinated him not only for its breathtaking landscapes but also for the promise of something intangible.
It was not a mere trip, it was an invitation- an invitation to step away from the humdrum of the familiar and into a world where time was marked by the rhythm of the mountains and the heartbeat of a simpler life.
On 22nd October 2023, the couple began their adventure, ready to embrace a land that seemed to exist in a perfect balance between the mystical and the real.
Through the Gateway
Their first steps into Bhutan were through Phuentsholing situated on the border, where India’s hustle seemed to melt into Bhutan’s calm. As they wandered the quiet streets that evening when twilight painted the sky in soft purples and golds, Krishna paused by a prayer wheel and spun it gently.
“Do you think each turn sends a prayer up the mountains?” he asked.
“Maybe it does,” his wife replied. “Or maybe it just reminds us to keep moving forward, no matter how small the steps.”
Their journey to Thimphu began the following morning. The winding roads carried them through emerald valleys and beside rivers that sparkled under the soft sunlight. Along the way, their guide, Sangay La, shared a fountain of stories.
“Bhutan measures happiness, not wealth,” Sangay La explained, pointing to a hillside where villages worked together in harmony. “Here, we value connections - with nature, with each other, and with ourselves.”
Thimphu welcomed them with open arms. They explored its vibrant markets tasting Ema Datshi and browsing through stalls filled with colourful handwoven scarves. By nightfall, the twinkling lights of the capital mirrored the constellations above.
From Peaks to Passes
Thimphu revealed its soul the next day. They began at the National Memorial Chorten and watched locals of all ages offer prayers and circumambulate the stupa. They spun prayer wheels and murmured chants, which provided Krishna with a sense of peace. The devotion of every person there was both humbling and inspiring. Even the tall Buddha Dordenma statue looked out over the valley with a quiet serenity. On the other hand, the Motithang Takin Preserve introduced them to the peculiar and beloved national animal of Bhutan.
Leaving Thimphu, the couple journeyed toward Punakha, crossing the iconic Dochula Pass. The 108 chortens stood in silence, covered by snow-clad peaks that appeared and disappeared like illusions in the shifting clouds. Krishna paused at the pass and breathed in the cold mountain air that carried whispers of something eternal.
In Punakha, the couple crossed the suspension bridge swaying gently above the river. Their laughter was bubbling up as they found their balance. At the end of the bridge, the Punakha Dzong waited for them. Its intricate woodwork and murals narrated stories of kings and monks and the golden spires caught the afternoon light.
“This Dzong has witnessed both war and peace,” Sangay La said with pride. “It reminds us that resilience and beauty can coexist.”
The Summit of the Soul
Paro was the final chapter, and it held the climax of their journey - the trek to Taktsang Monastery, the Tiger’s Nest.
The trek began early and the trail wound through forests where prayer flags fluttered in the breeze, their colours vivid against the earthy greens. Each step was a test of endurance, but the beauty of the monastery pulled them forward.
When they finally reached the viewpoint, the Tiger’s Nest revealed itself - a masterpiece clinging to the cliffs, defying both gravity and imagination. Sangay La recounted the legend of Guru Rinpoche’s flight on the back of a tigress, a story as extraordinary as the sight before them.
That evening, they explored Paro’s treasures - the National Museum at Ta Dzong and the serene Rinpung Dzong, where the evening light painted the walls in golden hues. A quiet walk across the column bridge marked the perfect end to a day that felt almost sacred.
Farewell, Until Next Time
Their last day in Bhutan was spent retracing their steps to Phuentsholing, a bittersweet return to the threshold of a world less hurried and less complicated. As they crossed back into the familiar hum of Bagdogra, Krishna turned to his wife with a smile.
He said, “This trip was like rediscovering something we did not know we had lost.”
Bhutan had given them a lesson in living. It had shown them that happiness was not something to chase, but it was something to nurture, hidden in quiet moments and unhurried days.
As the plane lifted off, Krishna gazed at the receding mountains, their peaks still cloaked in mist. He knew they would return to Bhutan and to that state of mind where life was measured in the joy of simply being.
Read more: Thrillophilia Bhutan Reviews