Iran’s Destination to consider exploring

By Stanley Sobari

ESFAHAN, This former imperial capital (also known as Isfahan) is home to arguably the most majestic collection of buildings in the Islamic world, centred around its tree-lined Imam Square

PERSEPOLIS, The ceremonial capital of the ancient Persian Empire was destroyed by Alexander the Great, but its frieze-covered, Unesco-listed ruins are among the world’s greatest.

YAZD, A desert cit yof winding lanes, blue-tiled mosque and badgirs (ventilating wind towers), Yazd is built almost entirely using traditional mud-brick architecture.

SHIRAZ, The heartland of Persian culture, Shiraz is known for its wine, literature and poetry, as well as for its tribal weavings, historic gardens and fertile valleys.

TEHRAN, Iran’s capital has a range of museums and galleries, manic bazaars and a thriving café culture, with the snow-carpeted Alborz Mountains at hand for an active escape.

TAMSHING GOEMBA

By Stanley Sobari

BUILT in 1501 by local Buddhist saint Pema Lingpa, the monastery’s frecoes is one of the best preserved, where hundreds of flickering oil lamps illuminate the detailed colours and facial depictions. An inner rooms houses Guru Rimpoche, a circle of monks chanting in the background. Legend speaks of pema Lingpa’s occupation as a blacksmith before becoming a saint, explaining the 20kg metal chain cape which devotees wear and circle the monastery thrice to hopefully get rid of their sins.

FARMHOUSE VISIT

By Stanley Sobari

#Direct fligt are available from Singapore to Paro Airport via Drukair (drukair.com.sg), with a refuel stop at Kolkata, India.  For more information, visit Druk Asia Private Limited (drukasia.com).

EASILY arranged for by Drukasia’s expert guides, a trip into tucked away farmhouses displaying such warm hospitality is unforgettable. Curious children smile shyly behind their elders, the tour around the altar room, barn, common rooms, kitchen area and more was truly fascinating Home-cooked fares of yak meat, scrambled eggs, ema datshi (local dish of chili and cheese), peaches and wine warmed our bellies to no end.

MEBAR TSHO

By Stanley Sobari

KNOWN better as the Burning Lake, the sacred pilgrimage site 30 minutes from Chamkhar town, Bumthang, records the time when Buddhist saint Terton Pema Lingpa jumped into the deep waters with a burning lamp in getting a treasure-later emerging with a statue, script and skull, with the lamp still lit. enjoy the scenery of undulating prayer flags, then take the steep stairway down towards the lake bottom, a perfect hideaway spot.

Gorgeous Stays

By Stanley Sobari

UMA PARO is a swanky accommodation located in close proximity to the Paro Airport, also the venue of choice in hosting the much-talked about wedding of Hong Kong actors Tony Leung and Carina Lau in 2008. With 20 standard rooms and nine private villas, the resort overlooks the Paro Valley, boasting stunning cultural architecture on the outside-but familiar modern settings within (comohotels.com/umparo).

METTA RESORT & SPA Peaceful, beautiful and exuding a very real sense of home, owner Mr Tshering Tobgay and his Malaysian wife Sharine ensures homesick travelers get their fill of Thai, Chinese, Indian cuisine, making Metta the usual last hotel stop before flying out of Bhutan. Five-star service sets this three-star boutique property apart, spacious rooms with flat screen TV, comfortable air-conditioned living room area, garden, Wi-Fi and even a spa. Guests will also be giving back to local community, since Mr Tshering donates part of his earnings to various causes yearly-building bathrooms for 50 monks of a Thimphu monastery this year, and upgrading of facilities at this alma mater at Haa Valley in 2014 (bhutanmetta.com.bt).