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Top Things to do for Exploring Himalayan Kingdom-Bhutan

Bhutan has an unspoiled natural beauty that highlights unique biotic treasures and essences of Buddhism or civilization’s attitude towards life. With a well planned and guided Bhutan cultural tour or festival tour, one can indulge in many exciting things to do for exploring a happiness kingdom of Bhutan.

In this article, you will find some amazing things to see and do for exploring an isolated kingdom, which lies deep beneath its culture, adventure, nature, spirituality and festivals.

Let us discuss about exploring the true essence of Bhutan-The Land of Thunder Dragon:

1. Visit National Museum:

The national Museum is a preserver and promoter of cultural values of Bhutan, which displays a remarkable blend of past and present of the country. Located in the Paro town of Western Bhutan, this museum has some of the finest specimens of Bhutanese art, which are believed to be 1500 years old. Visitors can also find fine arts, 3-D stamps, silken stamps, triangular stamp of mythical yeti, painting and bronze statues as one of the best attractions in this cultural museum. It is believed that the National Museum was established in the year 1968 and also known as Ta-Dzong Museum.

2. Consider Exploring Thimpu:

In order to get a true insight of Bhutan, one should travel Thimpu, which is the Bhutan’s capital as well as is a home for the royal family of Bhutan. In Thimpu, tourists will enjoy both traditional and modern era of Bhutan. You can witness the 16th century artistic structure- Simtokha fortress or Simtokha Dzong as well as can spot stunning structures that speak about modernization of the Thimpu city like Memorial Chorten, National Library & Institute for Zorig Chusum and Folk Heritage Museum.

3. Go to Bumthang Valley:

This valley is the spiritual heartland of Bhutan, which is full of ancient and precious Buddhist sites. The main town in Bumthang Valley, Jakar is an undulating terrain, which is filled with apple trees and numerous temples that proves to be every tourist’s delight.

4. Experience Spectacular Punakha Festival:

The Punakha Festival is also known as Punakha Drubchen festival, which is a reminiscent of 17th century battle of Bhutanese with Tibetan army. In the eve of this festival celebration, locals get dressed in full battle gear to reenact scene of an ancient battle, which will prove to be a great treat to watch. This festival is celebrated annually, where the act is performed to commemorate the victory.

The Punakha festival has also another version, which is known as Punakha Tsechu (introduced in 2006). This version of Punakha is to preserve the teachings of Lord Buddha and keep the deeds of Zhabdrung Rimpoche.

You will find that both these Punakha festivals hold great significance in maintaining Bhutan’s rich tradition and heritage. With a guided Bhutan festival tour, you can get some more insight and opportunity for discovering some other local festivals like Takin Festival and Dochula Festival.

Conclusion:

Whether travelling to Bhutan with family or friends for exploring the true essence and spirit then it is always wise in seeking guided assistance from a reputable Bhutan tour company. This will help you in getting local and experienced guides as well as will give the opportunity of selecting a desired and tailor made Bhutan tour package.

Author Bio:
This article is written by Ramesh Chhetri who is an experienced tour advisor & planner as well as travel consultant at Bhutan Buddha Travellers (licensed tour operating company in Bhutan).

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The Comprehensive Guide to Oolong Tea: Benefits, Taste, and Brewing Tips

What Sets Oolong Tea Apart?
Oolong tea, originating from the Camellia sinensis plant, is a distinct variety that stands out due to its partial oxidation process, placing it between the non-oxidized green tea and the fully oxidized black tea. This oxidation imparts a unique color and a spectrum of flavors to oolong tea, making it a fascinating subject of study for tea connoisseurs and health enthusiasts alike.

The Health Benefits of Oolong Tea
1. Cardiovascular Health
Research suggests that oolong tea consumption is associated with lower cholesterol levels, which can reduce the risk of heart disease. A study published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health found that individuals who drank one cup of oolong tea per day had a reduced risk of dying from cardiovascular disease (source).

2. Weight Management
Oolong tea has been linked to weight loss and combating obesity. A study in the Chinese Journal of Integrative Medicine indicates that oolong tea can enhance metabolism and fat oxidation, contributing to weight management (source).

3. Oral Health
As a natural source of fluoride, oolong tea supports dental health by helping to prevent cavities. The American Dental Association acknowledges the benefits of fluoride in maintaining oral health (source).

4. Cancer Prevention
The antioxidants in oolong tea, particularly the polyphenols, may help reduce the risk of certain cancers, including pancreatic and ovarian cancers. The National Cancer Institute discusses the potential of tea polyphenols in cancer prevention (source).

5. Diabetes Management
Regular consumption of oolong tea may aid in the prevention and management of type 2 diabetes. A study in the journal Diabetes Care showed that oolong tea could improve blood glucose control (source).

6. Antioxidant Richness
Oolong tea’s high antioxidant content has numerous health benefits, including combating aging and disease.

7. Anti-Inflammatory Properties
The antioxidants in oolong tea also play a role in reducing chronic inflammation, which is linked to various diseases.

8. Cognitive Health
Oolong tea consumption may enhance cognitive function and potentially slow down age-related cognitive decline. A study in the Journal of Nutrition, Health & Aging found that regular tea drinking was associated with a lower risk of cognitive impairment (source).

Potential Side Effects of Oolong Tea
While oolong tea is generally safe, its caffeine content can cause side effects such as:

Headaches
Nervousness
Insomnia
Irritability
Gastrointestinal issues
Heart palpitations
Dizziness
Tremors
Pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and young children should limit their intake of oolong tea due to its caffeine content.

The Flavor Profile of Oolong Tea
The taste of oolong tea varies based on its origin, with factors like geography, climate, and soil influencing its flavor. Indonesian oolong will differ from Taiwanese oolong, for example. Lightly oxidized oolong teas tend to have vegetal, nutty, and floral notes, while more heavily oxidized varieties offer fruity, floral, and creamier flavors.

Brewing the Perfect Cup of Oolong Tea
To brew oolong tea:

Use loose leaf tea for the best quality.
For a 180 ml cup, add 2 teaspoons of rolled leaves or 1 ¼ – 2 teaspoons of wiry strips. For whole or broken leaves, use 1-2 teaspoons.
Heat water to 85–96ºC. If you lack a thermometer, let boiled water cool for 2 minutes.
Rinse the leaves with a small amount of hot water, then discard the water to remove impurities.
Steep the leaves in 180 ml of hot water for 2-5 minutes, adjusting the amount of tea and steeping time to taste.
Oolong vs. Green Tea: A Comparison

While oolong and green tea share many health benefits, their distinct processing methods result in different flavor profiles and antioxidant levels. Green tea is less oxidized, giving it a lighter taste and a different set of catechins, while oolong’s partial oxidation creates a more complex flavor and a varied antioxidant composition.

Conclusion: The Virtues of Oolong Tea
Oolong tea is a healthful beverage that can enhance your well-being when consumed in moderation. Its rich antioxidant content and diverse health benefits make it a valuable addition to a healthy lifestyle. However, it’s crucial to monitor your intake due to its caffeine content, with 2-3 cups per day being a safe guideline for most individuals.

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Things you need to check before hiring a commercial collection agency

In today’s era, one of the most common problems faced by both big and small corporate houses is that they don’t get back their debts on time. This is surely a headache because it is practically impossible to chase behind the debtors, leaving behind all other important tasks. All well-known companies usually have a separate debt collection department consisting of a well-knit team of debt collectors who have ample experience to chase the debtors and collect money at ease. But, what about the companies those are either startup or cannot be called “renowned”? If you are an owner of a startup, then you surely can’t leave behind all your work and chase after the debtors. But, there’s one thing that you can do and that is hiring a company or firm that can at ease get back your debts on time.

If you have set up your workstation in Houston, Texas, then finding a business collection agency is not going to be tough at all. There are plenty of debt collection agencies in Houston to choose from. But, before you pick one firm in order to get back your debts, there are certain things that you must do. Take a look.

Check their license

In the case of choosing a commercial collection agency, you must always check their license. It’s because, a license will give you an assurance that the firm is an authorized one and surely not a fraud. So, if a firm doesn’t have a license, please refrain from choosing them.

Check their experience

Whether you agree or not, experience matters a lot. Before you hire an employee, you surely check his/her experience, right? Similarly, before hiring a debt collection agency, please ask them about their experience. The more experience they have, the more you can rely on them. You can also ask them to provide you with their previous clients’ numbers so that you can ask them about that particular firm.

Check the debtors’ qualification

Before you hire a collection agency in Houston, make sure you ask the agency to show you the qualification of the recovery agents.. Good debtors usually will have an advanced degree in MBA, JD, as well as an extensive international business experience of being executives, consultants or advisers. So, don’t forget to check their qualification.

Check the agency’s reviews

Checking a company’s review is absolutely necessary because that will give you a fair idea whether the agency is good enough, reliable and worth hiring or not. Therefore, check the company’s reviews prior hiring them. There are two ways in which you can get reviews about the company. Either you can go to the agency’s website and check their reviews online, or else, take the numbers of their previous clients, call them and take reviews from them.

These were a few essential things that you need to check in order to hire the best collection agency. So, make sure you keep these points in mind and work accordingly.

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