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Traditional herbal bath/ Dotsho
The rejuvenating qualities of a Bhutanese Dotsho (Hotstone Bath) have been widely known for centuries. Stones gradually heated over an open fire and then placed in water filled wooden baths along with a selection of medicinal herbs. We have a number of baths built around the Estate’s stream, and situated either in the ‘open air’ or in private Asian styled Bamboo Bathhouses. Due to the large amount of preparation, a hot rock bath attracts a small additional fee ($ 10 - $ 20).
Internet/ phone/ fax/ computer facilities
The estate has recently installed a full range of telecommunications and computing facilities for use by its guests. Internet Service in Bhutan was introduced recently in 1999. Now it is available in every tourist lodge/hotel as well as in town cyber cafes at cheaper rates.
Television
Television was also introduced in 1999 and we have our own channel called BBS (Bhutan Broadcasting Service) which was made nationwide recently in the month of April 2006. It broadcasts in two different languages, Dzongkha and English. Besides news they also feature documentaries and other live activities. Besides this, there are around 25 other international channels.
Mobile Phone
Although Bhutan has an advanced mobile phone network, it is not compatible with sim cards from other countries. Bhutanese sim cards are available for use in your phone from the Estate Office– these will allow you to send and receive international mobile calls on your own mobile, using a Bhutan mobile number. Please bring your own mobile if you wish to use this service.
Three kinds of Newspapers
1. Kuensel is the Government under taking media that produces bi-weekly, on Wednesday and Saturday in two versions (English & Dzongkha - National Language)
2. Bhutan Times is a private media and was introduced recently on 5th April 29, 2006 and is distributed once in every Sunday. It has two versions English and Dzongkha (National Language).
3. Bhutan Observer is also a private media launched on 2nd June 2006 coinciding with the 4th king’s 32nd coronation celebration is distributed once in every Friday and is especially design to cover rural news. It has two versions (English & Dzongkha).
Libraries and Museums
The largest library in Bhutan is the National Library at Thimphu, containing 105,000 volumes. Sherubtse College in Kanglung holds 22,000 volumes. The National Institute of Education in Samtse, founded in 1968, holds 12,000 volumes, and the Royal Institute of Management in Thimphu holds 5,000 volumes.
The National Museum of Bhutan opened to the public in 1968 at Paro Dzong, in a seven-story 17th-century fortress, featuring religious art objects reflective of Bhutan's unique Northern Buddhist culture, as well as historical objects. Some monasteries have valuable collections of Buddhist manuscripts and art objects.
Night Clubs
Thimphu is Bhutan’s largest city and has around more than ten licensed night clubs which operate on a weekly basis, on Saturday night and some of them on Wednesday as ladies night. They also organize parties on special occasions and Government holidays. Apart from Thimphu there are also clubs in other regions, and even if they don’t have one, they organize New Year or Christmas celebrations or special occasions by renting hotel and halls.
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