Paro
We begin our ten day adventure in Bhutan by flying into Paro, a city of about 2,000 people, where the only airport in the country exists.
I've flown millions of miles, had a number of close calls in the air, and landed at some scary airports ... but this takes the cake. Our approach threads its way down a narrow winding valley. Our Airbus A319 alternatively banks 60 degrees left and then 60 degrees right. Our wingtips seem to be close enough to the mountainside to scrape the trees. I realize intellectually this is part optical illusion but it's not much comfort. I also realize that this approach would be impossible if it were windy or foggy. We are on the only flight into Bhutan today and I'm glad the weather is suitable.
These photos were taken in October 2008 mostly with a Nikon D3.
Read MoreI've flown millions of miles, had a number of close calls in the air, and landed at some scary airports ... but this takes the cake. Our approach threads its way down a narrow winding valley. Our Airbus A319 alternatively banks 60 degrees left and then 60 degrees right. Our wingtips seem to be close enough to the mountainside to scrape the trees. I realize intellectually this is part optical illusion but it's not much comfort. I also realize that this approach would be impossible if it were windy or foggy. We are on the only flight into Bhutan today and I'm glad the weather is suitable.
These photos were taken in October 2008 mostly with a Nikon D3.