Paros Agnanti, Paros

Advantages: Spectacular example of Bhutanese architecture
Disadvantages: Not for those who are unsteady on their feet

...For most visitors to Bhutan, Paro Dzong will be either the first or the last dzong that they visit in the country. This is due to it's proximity to Paro Airport, the country's only air-link with the outside world. For us it was the first dzong and one to remember. As our plane landed and taxied along the runway my eyes swivelled to hunt out the big white block on the hillside which I knew from my pre-trip research would be the dzong. What's a Dzong? The concept of a dzong is an unusual blend of the sacred and the secular and something that's found in Himalayan Buddhist communities but is most characteristically Bhutanese. Traditionally a dzong was a combination of a fortress crossed with a monastery whilst today most serve as a combination of monastery and local government administration centres. I find something engaging about... Read review

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Advantages: Grand Central Station
Disadvantages: Crowded in July and August

...Despite being the hub of Greek Island ferries, Paros has a laid back attitude, outside of the high season of July and August. We did some island hopping at the beginning of June and were pleasantly surprised at how much Paros has to offer. Originally we only planned to stay overnight, en route to one of the more famous islands in the Cyclades, but I ended up staying for 5 days. We landed in Paros Town / also known as Paraika and followed the first person who offered us a room to their small hotel, Manolis / Jimmy's apts heading left about 800 metres (or yards) away from where we docked. The manager was named Kiki and she had spent her first 15 years in Australia. She was very helpful and pleasant, despite the demands of her young daughter, Maria. On the plus side, this hotel was 1/2 block from a beach, restaurants, bars... Read review

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Advantages: Keep this in mind next time an evil tortoise threatens YOUR village
Disadvantages: Not one for the big tour groups - this place is tiny inside

...I don't think that Dungtse Temple was supposed to be on our itinerary for sightseeing in Paro, Bhutan, so we were lucky to get to see it as a quick 'fill-in' on an already very busy day. Bhutanese tourism isn't known for its flexibility - in fact it's so regimented that there are military campaigns and major government initiatives which require less paperwork and forward planning than a day out in Bhutan. I believe we went because the National Museum was closed due to us inconveniently arriving on the wrong day of the week. And since our guide Rinzin seemed to have magic powers and access to a photocopier for creating magic permits to get into attractions, we stopped off for a quick look as we were passing. I'm always interested in why temples, churches, mosques or any other religious building are built and in where they are situated... Read review

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