Thimphu, Bhutan

Well, on Sunday June 28th, I flew into Paro International Airport on DrukAir. The flight was very smooth. I was able to get a left window seat and a good view of some of the world's highest mountain peaks. Awesome. The landing and final approach weaved through and around two large mountains.

The first thing you notice when you step off the plane at Paro International Airport is the quiet and the wild river that parallels the airport and runway. Also greeting arriving visitors is a picture of the five hereditary kings of Bhutan and exquisite Bhutanese architecture. The buildings are constructed of fine wood, several colors, varying outside designs, and the inside rooms are airy with high ceilings.

My hosts from the Royal Institute of Management greeted me at the airport and we then drove the two lane highway headed to Thimphu. The road was continually winding around mountain switchbacks. I arrived at the Royal Institute of Management about an hour later. Like the international airport, the campus buildings are constructed of fine wood, several colors, varying outside designs, and the inside rooms are airy with high ceilings. Next to my guest quarters is a fast running river.

The next day the Royal Institute of Management welcomed seven Japanese volunteers and myself in a special ceremony. The ceremony in the university's Buddhist sanctuary was complete with chimes, chants, incense, fruit offerings, rice tea, and the lighting of numerous butter lamps. Quite a warm welcome.