Day 1 – Introducing the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan

Where are you going?

What are you saying, Bhutan? Never heard of it... Where is that?

Is that the country where Tom Waes also went for his travel program?

Bhutan, is that a country?

Bhutan, I'll have to look that up...

These are some of the reactions I got when I told them I was going to Bhutan. Even the Tropical Institute's doctor who has worked for the institute for fifteen years might only have seen five travelers for Bhutan in his entire career.

Since most likely no one in your circle of friends or even your friends' friends has ever been here, you do have a good story to tell at parties.

It is not surprising that not many people have heard of Bhutan. Until 1974, the country remained closed to the outside world.

Bhutan also never makes the world press. It is a hidden treasure in the heart of the Himalayas, where it is protected by a natural belt of high mountains. This Buddhist land is carved into the flanks like a giant staircase. It is the size of Switzerland, with a population of less than 700,000. It is sandwiched between Northern India and Tibet. The population lives in an inhospitable agricultural area and is among the poorest in the world. There is little to no industry.

Yet they have something that no one else has: prosperity is not measured by the Gross National Product, as with us, but by the Gross National Happiness, a philosophy based on peace and happiness of the inhabitants and the security of the country.

The term GNH comes from the former King Jigme Singye Wangchuk of Bhutan, who developed a different measure in 1972 in response to criticisms of his country's poor economy. According to him, the four pillars of GNH are:

• promoting equitable and sustainable socio-economic development;

• preservation and promotion of cultural values;

• preservation of the natural environment;

• good corporate governance

So in Bhutan they have been working on the environment issues for much longer than in western countries. Bhutan is often used as an example for this.

In order to preserve the environment and culture, the country only broke the rule of banning tourists for the first time in 1974 and that is why it is still a privilege to visit the country today. Nowhere in the world does one find so much respect for nature, present here in all its grandeur. But they also managed to protect traditional life and their own culture against the intrusive outside world. Fortunately, Bhutan was never colonized (although it was a protectorate of England at the time of the colonization of India). Even now in the 21st century, it stubbornly sticks to its traditions. And that is a good thing too.

Buddhism has shaped the history of the country to this day and it still plays a very important role in daily life.

Tourists are only slowly entering the country due to the artificially high prices. It currently costs around USD 290/day/person to stay in the country. This includes accommodation, meals and a guide. It is not possible to travel alone and travel must be booked with official tour operators.

Despite the poverty in the country, the people of Bhutan are considered to be the happiest people in the world. So we are looking for some happiness the next weeks. Tomorrow, with bated breath and on tiptoe, we will open the door of a new country (or rather an old country) that, despite the ever-changing world, clings to its customs. Behind that door is Druk Yul, translated 'the Land of the Thundering Dragon', today called Bhutan.