Why I Came to Bhutan

We just arrived in Bhutan yesterday, and I find myself wanting to put down in words why I am here. People sometimes ask, “Why Bhutan?”—and for me, the answer comes in four parts.

A Family Promise

A year ago, I asked my son what he wanted for his 40th birthday. He didn’t ask for a watch, a new gadget, or even a party. Instead, he said: “A trip with my dad—just the two of us.” That’s how this journey began. But then my daughter caught wind of it and asked if she could join, and my son quickly said yes. So here we are: father, son, and daughter. No spouses, no grandchildren, no significant others. Just us. A rare and significant moment for our family.

The Pursuit of Happiness

For many years, I have been fascinated by the question of happiness—what it is, how we define it, and how we secure it. Bhutan has become famous as the country that chose to measure Gross National Happiness rather than Gross Domestic Product. It is held up alongside Finland and Denmark as one of the happiest nations on earth. I want to see for myself how happiness is defined here, how it is measured, and how it is lived.

The Road Less Traveled

Bhutan is not a place many people have visited. That, in itself, was part of the draw. I have always been curious about places that remain a little mysterious, a little hidden from the usual tourist routes. To go where few others have been, to see something untouched and different—that feels worthwhile.

Through the Lens of Film

Finally, my imagination was stirred by cinema. Over the past few years, I have seen three films about Bhutan, all made by the same director. Each one offered me glimpses of landscapes, stories, and rhythms of life that felt both foreign and deeply human. I walked out of those films enchanted and determined that one day I would see Bhutan for myself.

A First Glimpse

And so here I am, in Bhutan at last. A small Himalayan kingdom, landlocked between India and China, where mountains dominate the horizon and prayer flags flutter in the wind. A country that guards its traditions while carefully opening its doors to the world. A place that dares to put happiness at the center of its national life.

For me, the journey has only just begun. But already I know this: Bhutan is a destination, yes—but it is also an idea. And ideas have a way of changing us.