The Adventures of Team Spinelli: Bhutan: The Himalayan Kingdom of Happiness

Over Easter break we had the chance of a lifetime! We experienced the Land of The Thunder Dragon, The Kingdom of Happiness, The Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan! Where they prioritize measuring their nations GNH (Gross National Happiness) before their GDP. Enjoy the photos and captions...

A Bhutanese house, built in the traditional architectural style

Prayer wheels and praying women at the Jigme Doji Ra Memorial Stupa in Thimpu.
Thimpu, pronounced - tim-poo- is Bhutan's capital city.

Relaxing and listening to the radio at the Stupa while the people go round-and-round in prayer

No, it's not the entrance to a Las Vegas casino, it's The world's largest Buddha statue! Made of cooper and completely from donations.

Meet our all-knowing and enduring guide, Kota! Seen around town wearing his traditional Gho.
(Answering all of our weighing questions, like: "Where can I find the Yeti?")

Conserving their natural resources, one of Bhutan's 4 pillars of Happiness.

Beetle nut chewing monks coming down from the Tonga Meditation Center

OM MA NI PE ME HU CHI

Nothing left unpainted at these monasteries.

Our Farmhouse experience!

Starting out with some hot butter tea... salty! Senda, our driver throughout the trip in the background.

...and capping off with some local Ara - home-brewed wheat wine.

Dave and Kota -not in his Gho- on our trek!

Our lead horseman playing a flute he found.

D playing a nomad game - a mix of darts and horseshoes.

Our 1st night camp!

A brief peek of the Himalayan peaks!

A humble camp! ;D

D looking for the Yeti in a bear's den. Unfortunately he only found a tick!

Only the necessities...

Some friends we made along the way! Awe... so cute...

Views of and from the Chorten Nyibo Monastery - our last camp of the trek.

Did I mention the 2 horsemen, 2 cooks, 1 guide & 6 horses required for D & I to go trekking?!!! Yeah, I know, still working on that pillar of conservation!