Seeking solace in smiles and sunshine in Bhutan

After a rather turbulent plane ride amid the larger-than-life hills and view of the Himalayas, we touched down at the Paro International Airport. We were welcomed with an icy-cold wave of wind, yet, this was distinctly contrasting to the remainder of our stay. Every fleeting moment ingrained in us a never-felt-before warmth, nonchalant yet charming gestures of kindness, and the overarching idea of a simplistic and mindful way of living. The people of Bhutan thrive on the feeling of home and relentlessly strive to create a space that elicits the same. 

I wonder if the serendipitous conversation with a stranger during a trek up to the Tiger’s Nest monastery would have been the same if it weren’t for Kinley’s (our guide) over-bearing benevolence or whether the in-the-moment captures of a mother and child have been as radiant if not for their wholehearted laughter. I wondered, then learnt of the effortless ways of showing compassion and kindness—through smiles and empathy.

Brisk mornings invite you to take in the morning’s first rays and witness the sky changing its hues from orange to pink at dusk. Here, warmth is easily found—whether through its people or the wonders of nature. Together, the two work their magic for those like me, seeking solace away from the chaos of bright lights and run-of-the-mill city life. From chasing sunshine in quiet corners to capturing the splash of colours in yarns and shawls amid earthy tones of the landscape, here’s reminiscing my time in Bhutan in snapshots that capture a place that felt like home, radiating with the omnipresent energy of its people.