A highly enjoyable and rewarding trip of Bhutan

Dear Mr Cipto,

I have just returned from a highly enjoyable, totally satisfied and rewarding trip of Bhutan. All these achieved because of you, your Bhutanese team compromising the guide Rinzin Dorji and the driver Galtsen. Your sensitive observation of my interest while discussing the trip matter with your representative in your office, and the subsequent recommendations you made, had tailored an itinerary well suited for my objective of my tour in Bhutan.

Unless effectively carried out, otherwise the planned itinerary is just a piece of paper. And for its successful implementation, the Bhutanese team must get the full credit, especially the guide Mr Rinzin Dorji. I have been to several countries with very good guides (like trekking in Nepal), but none surpassed the excellence exhibited by your Rinzin Dorji. The driver Galtsen is also highly commendable. It is because of the very good job by these two Bhutanese that I would have done them injustice had I not initiate this letter of recommendation. Allow me to elaborate to substantiate my high regards, respect and sincere appreciation of these two staff members of Druk Asia.

The Guide – Rinzin Dorji

To start with, the guide Rinzin has a very pleasant disposition. He is always courteous. Throughout the trip, I had never seen him being rude; not only to me, but to those he came in contact with. His sincere and spontaneous smile radiated warmth and that really made my trip so pleasant. He was never angry nor shown any resentment throughout the entire trip. I actually consciously tried to emulate him.

He was very considerate and helpful. While in Wangdi Phodrang, Galtsen found out that his wife’s uncle was very ill. He wanted to seek my permission to allow him in the afternoon off so that he could attend to his uncle, but he was highly concerned that I was immobilised without a driver. Rinzin was spontaneous to offer his help to take over as driver. I was deeply touched by the act of these Bhutanese – one showed the compassion for a loved one and yet reluctant to deviate from a responsibility, while the other, so instinctively and unselfishly offered his help for a colleague. The camaraderie was so apparent. Perhaps, all Bhutanese are like that. This I must remember and learn from them.

So that afternoon on the way to Punakha Dzong, it was Rinzin, the guide, but he doubled as Rinzin the driver as well. He drove just as cautiously as Galtsen always assuring that I was comfortable throughout the journey. At one stage, he slowed down for a motorbike behind to overtake. When asked why he did so, he explained that the dust generated by our car would be most unpleasant for the rider behind. This is only one of the many episodes showing how a Bhutanese exemplifies the quotation “putting others before you”.

Perhaps because Rinzin has a pleasant disposition, he seemed to be having a rapport with his other guide colleagues whenever they met. Everyone seemed to like him. It was through his readily acceptance by others that managed to grant me the opportunities to play Kuru with the local Bhutanese, sing and dance with the local “boom jarim”, as well as taste “ara” from an ang gae. Such experience is my taste of Bhutanese culture.

Please also allow me to relate some episodes testifying what an extraordinary guide your Rinzin Dorji has been…

Washing the Laundry

It was at Kichu Resort in Wangdi Phodrang. I wanted to have my laundry washed at the resort. But Rinzin voluntarily offered to have them washed for me so that I could save some money. He refused acceptance of my money reward no matter how hard I tried to convince him to accept it. Perhaps all Bhutanese are like that – doing things for other people without expecting the reciprocation of a reward.

Rinchen Wangdi – the Artist

Expressing my enthusiasm in Bhutanese art, Rinzin brought me to his cousin’s studio to learn more about Thangka painting. It was indeed a pleasant surprise for me. His cousin tried his best to explain the concept and techniques behind this unique art form. New to this art form, I learnt. But, the next day, Rinzin brought me to another artist. I was puzzled, but delighted because I did not request for such an arrangement. He brought me to a Mr rinchen Wangdi, whom together with his partner introduced me to their way of thinking of merging conventional art with the traditional.

The discussion was so enlightening and I got to understand a bit more in depth into Bhutanese art. I was extremely enriched to have that opportunity to talk to reputed Bhutanese artists. I asked Rinzin what made him arrange for that appointment. He explained that he had observed that his artist cousin could not fully explain the Traditional Bhutanese art concept to me, and so he made contact to request Rinchen Wangdi to help enlighten his client. I am truly grateful to Rinzin for taking the initiative in going the extra mile to help me understand Bhutanese culture. This was what I went to Bhutan for. Rinzin’s initiative had made my trip so meaningful.

Traditional Medicine

My buddy in Singapore, who is currently studying Traditional Chinese Medicine, had requested me to help get him some books on Bhutanese traditional medicine herbs and plants. Informed on this request, Rinzin arranged not only for me to visit the National Institute of Traditional Medicine in Thimphu, but he also contacted his pharmacist friend to attend to me, explaining the characteristics of the herbs and plants. He also had him arranged to get me four rare books on the subject. I know these books were not those readily available over the counter, but needed great pains to obtain them. Rinzin’s contact and PR in Bhutan is amazing.

Let Me Go Find Out First

While being driven in parallel with the Dangchu, I saw the beauty of the river down at the steep ravine below. Expressing the desire to get to the river, Rinzin got down the steep ravine first to explore a safe and easy access for me to reach the Dangchu river. It was great relief for me and I am truly indebted to him as I suffer from mild acrophobia.

The Taktsang Monastery Photographs

My last minute request to get to the banks in Paro for enquiring some money matters apparently had affected the programme for that day, which was scheduled to trek the Taktsang Monastery. Still insisting I need a good photograph of this iconic attraction, Rinzin and Galtsen suggested we drove as near as possible to the destination and used a shortcut to reach the nearest point of the monastery for a good photography shot. But realising that the short-cut trek was a bit too harsh for me, they suggested that I rest and they would go nearer to take the photographs for me. When I saw the photographs, I knew they had climbed very far up the steep short-cut path and even climbed trees just to get the best shot for me. I actually teared when I saw those photographs. These two Bhutanese really went through great lengths just to make sure their client get what he wanted.

At the Dewachen

The winter cold in Phobjikha was harsh for me. At the Dewachen reception counter, Rinzin has asked the receptionist to instruct her staff to heat up my room. Obviously, they failed to do so because on entering my room at the Dewachen, I saw both Rinzin and Galtsen setting the fire to heat up the room. I had taken their gesture for granted for I took it as an expectation until some other fellow Singaporeans in the dining hall told me that they had to instruct their guides to set up the fire. Only then that I felt I was the only privileged one. Privileged, because of Rinzin and Galten.

The Knowledgeable Guide

Throughout the trip, I was truly amazed at Rinzin’s vast spectrum of knowledge. I knew later that he had done much research in in the Internet to upgrade himself. He seemed to know Bhutan so well, not only on the tourist attraction aspect, but also even about the culture and the lifestyle of the Bhutanese. He once told me that the house of Bhutanese of Nepali descent is exceptionally clean and tidy. It was so true when I had the opportunity to visit the barman’ house in Wangdi Phodrang.

Truly Enjoyable Drive

No matter how beautiful a place is, sitting in a car for long hours can eventually and inevitably be tiring and boring for one. But not when Rinzin and Galtsen took the initiative to entertain me with Bhutanese songs that I soon learnt. He was indeed a great patient teacher. Breezing through the Bhutanese mountains and valleys will remain a memorable experience of my Bhutan trip.

The Driver – Galtsen

Galtsen is always so cheerful and joyful. I felt very welcomed each morning by his infectious smile. He would surprise me now and then with a little dance gesture or a Bhutanese jingle coupled with a gig. I really like him. Yet amidst all these, he was always serious and careful when manoeuvring the steering wheel. His sense of responsibility as a driver made me felt assuredly safe when being chauffeured from place to place.

Even with the dusty road along the way, the interior of the car was always very clean. He would most often been returning a bucket or a pail every time I return to the car from a trek or a visit to the Dzong. Presumably he was keeping the car spick and span while I marvelled at the Bhutanese attractions. I own a car in Singapore and I dare say it is no easy task keeping a car in top form. It needed much “on the ball” and conscientious effort and attitude to achieve this state of cleanliness of a car.

I was greatly grateful to Galtsen for being invited to his house on the second night to have dinner with his family. It was my first taste of Bhutanese hospitality and experience in Bhutanese home. RInzin had also extended his invitation to me to visit his home in Bumthang in the near future.

Of all my trips overseas, which I made every end of the year, this trip to Bhutan is, to date, the best I have ever had. My objectives have been fulfilled; I took very nice photographs, tasted sincere hospitality of the Bhutanese, delved a little bit deeper in Bhutanese songs and cultures, understood the stories and whys and wherefores of the historic attractions and above all, treated with kindness, sincerity and warmth of the Bhutanese people, especially from Rinzin and Galtsen.

This is the first time I came to Bhutan. I came as a stranger. I left, only merely 11 days later, as a friend. But I foresee I will return, not once, but many, many more times, and perhaps with the other members of my family, or with my Singapore friends. This decision being made, not only because of Bhutan and its people, but especially because of Rinzin Dorji and Galtsen.

Thank you Druk Asia, for assigning Rinzin Dorji and Galtsen to look after me in Bhutan. Your company’s name has indeed shone with such staff. You must be very proud of them. With these testimonies, I assure you I will try inspire my friends to visit Bhutan.

Thank you.
Yours Sincerely,