The Altitude Hits You and You Fall Down

While you catch your breath, here are some interesting facts about Bhutan:

Bhutan has one of the strictest tourist policies in the world. Having witnessed the rise of tourism in neighboring India and Nepal, Bhutan has regulated the tourist industry to keep out low budget backpackers. The average tourist must pay $200 to $250 a day to be in the country.

Bhutan got its first popularly elected Prime Minister in 2008. Most Bhutanese will tell you they wish the king was still in power.

Bhutan uses "Gross National Happiness" rather than mere economic measurements to measure its progress towards society's greater good.

The penis is considered a protective image. Pictures of penises adorn walls of buildings while wooden penises hang from the eves to protect the home. (See our flickr page for extensive documentation http://www.flickr.com/photos/markandjuliah/)

Located in the Eastern Himalayas, it is said that there are so many mountains in Bhutan that many have not been named, let alone climbed.

There are only two flights in to the entire country per day.

Bhutan got television for the first time in 1999.

To enter temples, schools and other government buildings, Bhutanese nationals are required to wear national dress.

There are no traffic lights in the country.

20% of the country is under constant snowfall.

By Constitutional Law, 60% of the country must remain covered by forest. Currently 68 to 72% of the country's land is covered in forest.

They have free health care for everyone--even altitude-sick tourists.

Mark and Juliah