Bhutan

The small kingdom of Bhutan, nestled in the Himalayas between India and China, is shrouded in myths. It’s said that entry visas are deliberately limited. Bhutanese people are often considered the happiest, as their government prioritizes Gross National Happiness over Gross Domestic Product. The famous Taktsang Monastery is believed to have been established where a guru landed on the back of a tigress in the 8th century. And yes, the country is adorned with conspicuous phallic symbols, seen as murals or sculptures everywhere. One day, as if to outdo the legends, my friend Tom Öhler called. “I heard the Prince of Bhutan is an avid mountain biker who builds trails himself. You’ve been there several times. Let’s check it out.” A perfect reason to visit Bhutan again and explore the myths firsthand.