In case I haven't made in clear in prior postings, I think Bhutan is one of the world's great tourist destinations and I give it my highest possible recommendation for anyone who can afford the time and cost it takes to visit.

A friend of mine in Bhutan who owns one of the larger tour companies there included this very interesting update about Bhutanese politics in an e-mail he sent me a few days ago.

As I was away with some govt/undp work- some news fro you- Some amazing changes are taking place in our country- our current King Jigme Singye Wangchuk- the architect of modern Bhutan- our visionary, selfless and philosopher King will resign to pave the way for Constitutional Democracy in 2008 when his son the 5th king of Bhutan Jigme Gesar Namgayl Wanchuk will take over the reigns to begin a new era of elections and new government for Bhutan; the coming two years will see monumental changes in our institutions and society; we will prepare for politics and political representations, party systems and voting, campaigning- all for the first time in our tiny kingdom; no longer are we the "monk state" but in keeping with the times of the modern world, people are given full constitutional rights and the right to choose the government one wishes. All these are interestingly introduced by our current King; and I think he actually wants to take a rest with early retirement and see these institutions function under a new leader, in a new system while he is still alive- this will be his lasting legacy and contribution to the future of our country. As you know Bhutan would not have survived as we are today as you saw on your visit with nature and culture intact in this day and age, without the foresight and strong leaderhsip of the king.