3. Colours of Bhutan a host of expressions could be used to evoke the natural and cultural beauty of Bhutan⊠yet the first-time visitor is struck primarily by the colour of this small Himalayan kingdom. With its snow-capped mountains, lakes and glaciers, forests, jungles and exceptional flora, Bhutan offers a natural environment of rare diversity. In this unique setting, the Bhutanese have created a world of colours, shades and hues that infuse their architecture, their daily life and their religious festivals. Their costumes and fabrics are an integral part of this colourful world, which leaves no room for the monotonous and drab. Crossing Bhutan from west to east or north to south is a real feast for the eyes. And it is a paradise for photographers. As elsewhere in the Himalayas, the gentle light of spring or autumn, the heavy skies of summer and the first snows of winter provide an endless range of subjects, constantly changing in shape and colour. Here, photography truly becomes a form of witness, a way of revealing the beauty of the environment but also a means of discovering the cultural identity of the country. Bhutan's culture and traditions are immensely rich and offer a limitless source of inspiration. And last but not least, the photographer can capture the character traits of the people - their omnipresent smiles and serene faces clearly expressing their deep faith in the words and teachings of Buddha.  The country Nestling in the heart of the Himalayas and protected by a complex geography of high mountains and deep valleys, Bhutan is certainly one of the most mysterious countries in the world. Impenetrable jungle to the south and daunting ranges of snow-capped mountains to the north have long barred all access to this tiny kingdom for many centuries. In spite of many battles with the Tibeto-Mongol armies or the troops of the British Empire stationed in India, the country has never been colonised since the 8th century. Bhutan has therefore kept alive its extremely rich heritage of traditions, which in broad outline resemble those of Tibetan civilisation. About the same size as Switzerland, this kingdom of just under a million people has doggedly kept itself apart from the restlessness of the modern world, proud of its own values and traditions. Area: 47 000 m2 Capital: Thimphu Population: 650 000 Political system: parliamentary monarchy King: Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck Religions: Tibetan Buddhism (Drukpa-Kagyu school) Languages: Dzongkha (official language), Tsangla, Nepalese, English, numerous dialects
4. Imagine that you were in Switzerland (a similar landscape , lovingly groomed slopes ), only instead of strict Protestant steeples before you gilded roofs of Buddhist monasteries, prayer flags and festoons . It is in such glowing I pictured Tibet , while the realities of Chinese occupation does not dispel these illusions.
5. The high level of life manifests itself even in small things . Complete absence of crime and poverty . Absolute coverage and 3G- mobile communications , electricity , television. By the way , do not believe Pelevin television in Bhutan is permitted, except that in the broadcasting schedule is not news channels , MTV and Teletubbies .
6. But there is a National Geographic and a whole range of educational programs, BBC. Generally , local TV is filtered with a great mind . Bhutan banned smoking . So yes, you can bring with them a few packs of " personal use , but will have to be content with just this. The country has banned hunting and deforestation ( poacher faces life imprisonment ) , and the mountain literally drowning in virgin forests . Maybe because the air here is incredibly dense and delicious .
8. One can only take your hat off to the members of the royal family for several generations, not only lost their country , which lies between the two hungry monsters - India and China, and have achieved international recognition and exclusive geopolitical situation.
9. In Bhutan , there are little more than a million inhabitants . Immigration is prohibited, and the procedure for obtaining a residence permit on the complexity does not yield to the Swiss . There are many mercenary forces, mostly immigrants from neighboring India, but after working visa for all Indians sent back home ...
11. Murals in the town center Nobding . This store is NOT sexual services and not a brothel , but only a creative whim of the owner of the building . These songs always been admired by Western tourists, who first groaning and sighing , and then run together into the adjoining gift shop , which sells postcards with this and other similar figures.
12. Of course, there are more serious works of art, for example , that a piece of the external ornament is one of the monastery walls. This rezbe the tree at least five centuries. Dragon Snow Lion , flying over mountains and guarding the Bhutanese kingdom from evil forces - a typical example of local architecture .
15. Dzong - a monastery , full of the fortress with thick walls , narrow loopholes and excellent review. Today the country there are more than a hundred and fifty .
16. The challenges in the nodes of main points , they are on the one hand are always protected by mountains and on the other monitor all traffic flows so that get close undetected or simply ignore it becomes impossible . According to chronicles , first appeared Dzongkha in Bhutan in the seventh century, and most of them retains its shape until today.
24. Bhutan's fourth King Jigme Singye Wangchuck (right) crowns his son Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck as the fifth King of Bhutan, in the Throne room of the Tashichhodzong Palace during the coronation ceremony in Thimphu, Bhutan on November 6, 2008. With medieval tradition and Buddhist spirituality, a 28-year-old with an Oxford education assumed the Raven Crown of Bhutan on Thursday, to guide the world's newest democracy as it emerges into the modern world.
25. His Majesty Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck smiles during his coronation held at the ceremonial grounds of The Tendrey Thang on November 6, 2008 in Thimphu, Bhutan. The young Bhutanese king, aged 28, becomes the world's youngest reigning monarch. He was handed the Raven Crown by his father, the former King Jigme Singye Wangchuck, in an ornate ceremony.
26. A man decorates the coronation ceremony venue of Bhutan's fifth King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck in Thimphu, Bhutan on November 6, 2008
27. Bhutan's 4th King and the new king's father Jigme Singye Wangchuck passes by a window while proceeding to the Throne Room during the coronation ceremony of the 5th King of Bhutan at the Tashichho Dzong, a massive 17th century white-walled fortress that serves both as administrative headquarters and a monastic center, in Thimpu, Bhutan, Thursday, Nov. 6, 2008.
28. Traditionally attired Bhutanese dancers smile during the coronation ceremony of the 5th King of Bhutan at the Tashichho Dzong, a massive 17th century white-walled fortress that serves both as administrative headquarters and a monastic center, in Thimpu, Bhutan, Thursday, Nov. 6, 2008.
29. A Bhutanese monk looks on at the monastery of Wangdue Phodrang, about 70 kilometers (44 miles) east of Thimpu, Bhutan, Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2008. Bhutan was then preparing for the coronation ceremony of Bhutan's fifth King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuk, scheduled for Nov. 6th.
30. Monks help with preparations during the coronation ceremony of Bhutan's fifth King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck in Thimphu November 6, 2008
31. Ceremonial dancers line up for the crowning ceremony of his Majesty Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, 28, at the Dratshang Kuenra Tashichho Dzong on November 6, 2008 in Thimphu, Bhutan
32. Girls in traditional Bhutanese attire sit along with other local people as they line a street awaiting the arrival of Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuk, unseen,in Thimpu, Bhutan, Sunday, Nov. 2, 2008
33. An elderly Bhutanese woman watches His Majesty Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, 28, greeting his people at the ceremonial grounds of The Tendrey Thang on November 6, 2008 in Thimphu, Bhutan
34. Monks play ceremonial instruments during the coronation ceremony of Bhutan's fifth King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck in Thimphu, Bhutan on November 6, 2008 .
35. The Taktshang Monastery in Bhutan, also called called the Tiger's Nest, is one of Bhutan's most important temples.
36. Bhutan's King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck smells a flower at the courtyard of Tashichhodzong Palace during celebrations marking his coronation ceremony in Thimphu, Bhutan on November 6, 2008.
37. A royal procession for his Majesty Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, 28, parades to the Dratshang Kuenra Tashichho Dzong on November 6, 2008 in Thimphu, Bhutan
38. A Bhutanese woman in traditional attire smiles as she sits amongst the audience during ceremonies coinciding with the coronation of the 5th King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuk at the Tendrel Thang ceremonial ground adjoining the Tashichho Dzong in Thimpu, Bhutan, Thursday, Nov. 6, 2008. The tiny Himalayan nation of Bhutan crowned it's 5th king Thursday after a two-year wait for the precise moment deemed most auspicious for a successful reign by court astrologers
39. Bhutanese dancers perform a mask dance in the capital Thimphu October 11, 2008. Bhutan held its first ever parliamentary elections in March, to end a century of royal rule
40. Bhutan's King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck receives greetings from people in the throne room during his coronation ceremony inside Tashichhodzong Palace in Thimphu November 6, 2008 .
41. Traditionally attired Bhutanese dancers look on during a coronation ceremony at the Tashichho Dzong in Thimpu, Bhutan, Thursday, Nov. 6, 2008 .
42. A Bhutanese dancer performs a mask dance in the capital Thimphu October 11, 2008. Bhutan held its first ever parliamentary elections in March, to end a century of royal rule.
43. A monk adjusts his robe at the monastery of Wangdue Phodrang, about 70 kilometers (44 miles) east of Thimpu, Bhutan, Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2008. Bhutan was then preparing for the coronation ceremony of Bhutan's fifth King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuk
74. A presentation by Nubia Nubia _group@ yahoo . fr http://groups. yahoo . com /group/ Nubia _group/ ttp :// www . facebook . com / NubiaGroup You can keep listening to the music or press « ESC » to exit
