Remoteness and its years of isolation make traveling to Bhutan feel a bit like visiting another planet yet I find this land of Gross National Happiness one of the most authentic places on earth. Stunning scenery, traditional homes and stately temples provide the backdrop to proud people who are genuinely friendly and inviting. Tiger’s Nest impresses me more with each return, as do the captivating valleys of Gangtey and Punakha.

A Layap woman in Laya, Bhutan's highest permanent settlement.
Dancers at the Royal Highlander Festival in Laya, Bhutan.
Buddhist monk at his monastery in Thimphu, Bhutan.
Taktsang monastery, more commonly known as Tiger's Nest is located near Paro in Bhutan.
Layap woman wearing her traditional cone hat in Laya, Bhutan.
Pony grazing on the slops of Tiger's Nest monastery in Paro, Bhutan.
Rinpung Dzong, located in Paro, Bhutan.
Spectators watch performances at the Royal Highlander Festival in Laya village, Bhutan.
Overlooking the village of Laya, the highest permanent settlement in Bhutan at 3800m.
A woman from the Sarchop minority attending the Royal Highlander festival in Laya, Bhutan.
A man from the Brokpa minority with unique tufts of hair, attends the Royal Highlander Festival in Laya, Bhutan.
Layap boy dressed in traditional clothing for the Royal Highlander Festival in Laya, Bhutan.
Layap woman posing with a backdrop of snowcapped mountains at Laya, Bhutan.
View of Kang Bum mountain (21,320 feet or 6500 meters) from Gasa, Bhutan.
Rice terraces and Thimphu Dzong during the rainy season in Bhutan.
Punakha Dzong, arguably Bhutan's most beautiful.
Layap woman sit on the sidelines at the Royal Highlander Festival in Laya, Bhutan.
Beautiful scenery along the trek between Laya and Gasa in Bhutan .
Making butter tea in Gangtey, Bhutan.
Layap boy dressed in traditional clothing for the Royal Highlander Festival in Laya, Bhutan.
Shop vendor in Thimphu, Bhutan.
Shop vendor in Thimphu, Bhutan.
Shophouse decorated with phallus symbols, as a sigh of good luck is common in Bhutan.
Buildings decorated with phallus symbols, as a sigh of good luck is common in Bhutan.