Weekend in Bhutan: Drukair A319 BKK-DAC-PBH, Chill at Uma Paro

[9V-SIA]

Introduction

Ordinarily, I would only fly somewhere on holiday if it was hassle free.

By that, I mean:

• non stop or direct flights from SIN
• on SQ preferably
• no visa requirements ( or easy visa application process )

With these criteria, Bhutan was never on my radar screen.

However, when a friend offered to arrange everything, I made an exception and signed up.

The Journey to Bhutan

Royal Bhutan Airlines, otherwise known as Drukair, operates a fleet of 2 Airbus A319s in a 20J 94Y configuration.
There is only one airport in Bhutan: Paro ( PBH ). Flights are timed to arrive and depart PBH in the morning.
The rest of the day, the airport is closed. When the sun heats up the valley, the resulting thermals make landing and take offs treacherous.
As a result, the flight leaves BKK at 0550h in order to arrive early morning in PBH.

I flew up the day before, spent the day shopping and eating, tried to get some sleep before our early departure.
We left our hotel ( Emporium Suites ) at 0330h. At that time of the day, the streets of BKK flowed smoothly and it took us 20 mins to get to the airport.

Check in was fast. Friends who'd been told us that only sandwiches were served on board so we looked for breakfast air side before boarding.
Actually, 2 meals are served on board! No need to eat before the flight.






Look at the time....

[SQflyergirl]

Very very coincidentally, I have been looking up this place as well - cause it's beautiful!

Also interestingly, was reading up how boeing brought a 737-700 whilst airbus brought an A319 to demonstrate their wares at PBH, in the end Drukair selected Airbus.

I'm definitely hooked - and this report is just the panacea I need , Thanks

[9V-SIA]

It was raining hard when the time came to board, and I got wet making the run from bus to the plane.







But getting wet was soon forgotten as I settled into seat 9A.



Note: This is not considered the emex row by the check in agent.
I asked for the emex row but declined it when informed that seat had no recline and no window view.
The row in front is the emex row, occupied by 2 yellow shirts ( of the peaceful kind )

I had a memorable private briefing from the FA that went something like this...
"9V-SIA, please read instructions (on the seat back in front )on how to open the emex door.
Do not open the door until instructed to by the Captain.
You may be the first to leave the plane when the door is open.
However, do not open the door if there is a fire outside"

[9V-SIA]

First impressions of Drukair are good. Modern planes ( A319s replaced BAe146s in 2004 ). Clean and well maintained interiors.
Charming crew...friendly, efficient and with a good command of English.



Our route was BKK-DAC-PBH. BKK-DAC took just over 2 hours. Breakfast was served.



My breakfast. Fruit platter under the croissant. There was a vegetarian option.

We were on the ground for 30 mins. Security was tight. We were not allowed to leave the plane. No photo taking while on the ground.
All overhead lockers were opened and bags stowed had to be identified by the owner.


DAC-PBH took just 50 mins. Despite the short hop, a light snack was served, which I declined.

No IFE on board. Look out the window for that! That's Everest!







Sit on the left side of the plane heading into PBH to see Everest and the Himalayas.
Right side for the same views departing PBH. Weather permitting, of course.
Or... if you really need that shot of Everest, take the DEL-KTM-PBH flight.
It flies nearer to Everest and arrives at PBH 30 mins after we did

[ginkoka]

looking fwd to the rest of the TR!

[LHR]

Really really looking forward to the rest of the TR!

[9V-SIA]

Approach into PBH

The landing is the scariest I have experienced since Kai Tak.

PBH sits in a valley, high mountains on either side.

We were flying low in the valley, weaving at ( what seemed to me ) an awfully low altitude to avoid rocky ridges.

I took snaps on the way down but they don't capture the hair raising descent.

Look Here: Paro Landing.... with kind permission of LoungeLizard64

( though landing from North not South like our landing )









PBH has no taxiway and reminds me of IPH ( Ipoh, Malaysia ) in that way.

Once the aircraft comes to a halt, a 180 degree turn on the runway and short taxi to the parking bay.

The terminal building wins my vote for "An Airport with Character".

[9V-SIA]

On the tarmac at PBH



I love the Drukair livery. Landing in the early morning,
the sun was in the right place for a photo opportunity.



Welcome to Bhutan!!



Terminal with Character



Arrival Hall. Immigration clearance was quick.
Bags delivered, we were off to our hotel, a 10 min drive away.

[9V-SIA]

Uma Paro - Exterior

It's funny. When I mention staying at the Uma Paro, all my friends know it as the hotel that Carina Lau and Tony Leung got married in.
To me, it was the hotel that opened up Bhutan to travelers who like their creature comforts of the 5 stars variety.

It sits high on the pine covered hillside overlooking Paro Valley.

The original building was retained as the main hotel.
An extension was added for the restaurant Bukhari.

Villas were scattered throughout the property.

An 2 level courtyard lies in the middle of the hotel.



Entrance to the Hotel





The Main Hotel



The restaurant extension in the background, to the right of main building.
The bar lies in the section behind the van.

[9V-SIA]

Uma Paro - Interiors



Walk through the Main Entrance into the Lobby. Reception to the left. Next to reception is the shop.
Behind the vertical wooden slats is more seating and the upper courtyard.



Seating behind the Lobby. Doors to the right of the chairs open to the upper courtyard



The bar lies to the right of the Main Entrance. Walk through, turn right, to the restaurant.



Entrance to restaurant Bukhari



Restaurant looking back at the entrance

[UMD]

That flight looks empty.

Can't wait for the rest of the TR. Thanks.

[pogonation]

Wow, coicidence. My brother rang me up today and told me that he wants to go on holiday to Bhutan with me in 2010. We searched around and found Drukair are the only airline serving PBH so it is very nice to see a report on them. Thanks alot, great report

Out of interest, what was the fare you paid? I will be flying KTM-PBH.

[andySYD]

Yes would be interested in also finding out the visa application process... can it be done from Singapore or is it more troublesome?

[9V-SIA]

Courtyard



Upper Courtyard. Doors lead to the Lobby.
Windows flanking the Upper Courtyard lead to the rooms.



Lower Courtyard. We were meant to have a bar-b-q there but we were rained out.
It rained most nights we were there. Sunny days though.
The black doors lead to the waiting area for the spa.
Above those doors is Library and Meeting Room.



Spa waiting area looking out to the Lower Courtyard.



In the Spa area, there is a gym and heated indoor swimming pool too.



The sun deck by the pool




Library looking out to the Courtyard. There are 2 PCs with (slow) internet access in the Library

[9V-SIA]

The Villa



Our villa had 3 rooms...living/dining, bedroom and bathroom.. facing the valley at the front,
and 2 rooms behind...shower & loo, massage room.



The roof is a hybrid. The top layer is traditional wooden planks weighed down by bricks.
There is an inner layer of corrugated metal roof, in case it leaks.
In the interest of saving the forests, many Bhutanese houses use metal roofs now



Living Room from the entrance



The Bukhari (= fireplace) which the restaurant is named after.
The rocks are to be carried when going outdoors in the winter.
The pots are for water to humidify the air ( a modern adaptation )



The Bedroom



Bathroom, door to left of mirror leads to loo, and shower stall big enough for 4!
Passage way to the right leads to......



....the Massage Room at the back of villa. Extra bed was provided for "couples" massage