Day 2 – The door of Druk Yul opens

Bhutan cannot be reached directly from Belgium or from any other country. You always need to go through India. Until a few years ago there was also access via Tibet, but the Chinese government has put a stop on that. Hence we have been on the road since yesterday morning and it will take almost two days to reach Bhutan.

This morning the last flight is scheduled, after which we land in Gauwawati, the closest Indian airport to Bhutan. After this, an adventure of one hundred and twenty kilometers awaits us. We are driving to the border with Bhutan by minibus, but for this we drive through heavily separatist area in the Indian state of Assam. Hundreds of people are killed by violence here every year. There are therefore many checkpoints along the road and there is a large army. Fortunately, the tourists are left alone. The villages we pass remind me of my first visit to India. Hangars, garages, etc. in which shops have been housed and where you can get everything. Or no, not everything. There is one thing that is missing: alcohol. Assam prohibits its sale and use.

After a drive of about three hours we finally reach the border. With bated breath we open the gate of Bhutan (and you can take this literally), and close it behind us. We are finally in Druk Yul.