| 8217;s face it; no one goes to Turkey just to buy | | | | be used to store fruit or cold salad in. |
| a carpet. However, thousands of holidaymakers | | | | Dzi Beads |
| returning from Istanbul and Ankara do so with a | | | | Jewellery made from Dzi beads has recently |
| rolled up Turkish carpet in their suitcase. | | | | become popular among the wealthy in Taiwan, |
| There’s something wonderful about | | | | causing the Bhutanese to increase their prices |
| travelling to an exotic destination and returning | | | | substantially. However, on your Bhutan tours |
| with a suitcase of assorted souvenirs that range | | | | it’s still possible to pick up a bargain. Dzi |
| from ceremonial hunting knives, to bags of the | | | | beads are not merely designed to look good, they |
| local sweets to hand out to your friends. Bhutan | | | | are considered to hold great spiritual benefit, with |
| tours are simply perfect for souvenir shopping | | | | each circle and wavy line holding its own significant |
| and if you want to buy an unusual and lasting | | | | meaning. Traditionally Dzi beads actually come |
| memento of your holiday in the Kingdom of the | | | | from neighbouring Tibet, where the word Dzi |
| Thunder Dragon, keep your eyes peeled for | | | | translates into shine, brightness, cleanness and |
| these rare keepsakes: | | | | splendour. |
| Bhutanese Art | | | | Stamps |
| If you want to bring some Bhutanese art home | | | | You may not be intending to travel to Bhutan just |
| with you, wait until the end of your Bhutan tours | | | | to buy stamps, but you’ll probably be |
| and visit the Art Shop Gallery in Thimpu. The | | | | fascinated to find that many people do. Bhutan |
| calibre of the art work sold at this gallery is much | | | | has been labelled a 'philatelist's (stamp collector to |
| better than anything that you’ll see on | | | | you and me!) paradise'. Stamp-collectors love |
| your travels and you can be sure that | | | | Bhutanese stamps because of their vibrant |
| you’re getting an original piece of art, | | | | colours and detailed images; and if you can |
| rather than a replica. The Art Shop Gallery | | | | manage to find the series of Bhutan stamps that |
| features work from the Voluntary Artists Studio | | | | detail the Walt Disney characters then you may |
| and holds regular exhibitions. This is also the place | | | | have paid off a sizable chunk of the cost of your |
| to buy traditional handicrafts; but while the pieces | | | | Bhutan tours. Stamp collectors congregate |
| are of excellent quality they are by no means | | | | regularly at the Central Post Office in Thimpu |
| cheap. | | | | which has a number of first editions. |
| Dappa | | | | Items to Avoid |
| On your Bhutan tours you’ll find that | | | | While you’ll find yourself wanting to take |
| ‘dappa’ are sold almost | | | | numerous mementos home from Bhutan, there |
| everywhere. However, they are originally from | | | | are also a number of items that you should avoid; |
| the Trashi Yangtse Region and are used to carry | | | | and we don’t mean the strong Bhutan |
| hot foodstuffs, like rice and curry dishes. Dappa | | | | mist liqueur. As in many Buddhist countries, |
| are traditionally two large bowls that fit together, | | | | religious artefacts and antiques must remain in the |
| keeping the food inside them warm and | | | | country so avoid buying them on your Bhutan |
| well-ventilated. Once you get them home though, | | | | tours and being disappointed at the airport. |
| their attractive design means that they can also | | | | |