Among Mountains and Monasteries.

In 2008, I embarked on an unforgettable journey to Bhutan, a country where mountains meet monasteries and daily life moves at a gentler pace. Known as the “Land of the Thunder Dragon,” Bhutan welcomed me with its untouched landscapes, sacred places, and warm, open-hearted people. Through my lens, I tried to capture moments that reflect the country’s quiet beauty and calm spirit.

Flying into Paro is an adventure in itself. The plane weaves through mountains before dropping steeply (almost vertically, it felt) into a small valley where you land on a tiny runway surrounded by forested hills. I remember stepping out into the crisp mountain air, seeing prayer flags fluttering everywhere. An overwhelming mix of excitement and nerves washed over me. I’d never felt so far away from home, so isolated. That night I went to bed in the pitch black, surrounded by mountains and silence.

Morning broke and it was a new dawn, a new day. The anxiety disappeared, replaced by awe and excitement. Here we go… this trip was going to be epic.

The Tiger’s Nest Monastery is probably the most famous spot in Bhutan, and for good reason. The hike up was steep and sweaty, but turning a corner and seeing the monastery perched on a cliff edge, with clouds swirling around it, was worth every step. Once at the top, it was surprisingly peaceful, monks chanting quietly in the background while I caught my breath and tried to take it all in.

Back in 2008, Bhutan had strict visitor limits to help protect its culture and environment. You couldn’t just book a flight and wander in; you had to go through an official guide and travel plan, and tourist numbers were kept low on purpose. That year, only about 28,000 tourists visited the country. It felt truly special knowing you were one of so few people there, which made every moment feel more personal and connected. All of this added to the feeling of being in a place where time stands still, a place untouched by the rapid changes seen elsewhere in the world.

One of the things that stayed with me most was the people. As part of your travel plan, you have a dedicated guide for your whole trip, and we were lucky to have Nima with us. Everywhere we went, we were met with genuine hospitality. Some of the poorest places I’ve visited were also the richest in kindness. The children would watch us shyly at first before breaking into cheeky grins, while the adults were always kind and generous, happy to share stories or a warm smile as we passed through.

Of course, no trip to Bhutan would be complete without mentioning its vast, unspoiled landscapes. Between towns, we drove through valleys and winding mountain roads, stopping often to take in the views. Terraced rice fields, rivers, forests, and endless skies filled the days. Some of my favourite photos came from pulling over and just sitting quietly, listening to the wind and the distant flap of prayer flags, letting Bhutan’s stillness sink in.

Looking back at my photos, I’m reminded of how deeply this country touched me. The images hardly do it justice, but I hope they capture even a little of the magic I felt. Bhutan is a place where happiness is valued over wealth, tradition is alive and celebrated, and nature and spirit feel beautifully connected.