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A Baby in a Backpack to Bhutan: An Australian Family in the Land of the Thunder Dragon
When novelist and former editor Bunty Avieson's husband found his work led him to India and the remote Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan, Bunty decided to take her young baby and travel with him. This resulting travel narrative outlines the joys and horrors of travelling in the developing world with a small child.
240 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2004
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
July 8, 2019
A wonderful, feel good story about an Australian woman who goes to Bhutan and nearby regions with her newborn and partner who is producing a Bhutanese movie.
The story gives an incredible insight into the daily activities of those living in a typical Bhutanese household. The main thing that stands out is their hospitality and selflessness. They are truly admirable.
Through the author we also get to meet a range of people: The Queens, a Tibetan dignitary, makers of the first Dzongkha dictionary, actors/actresses, an apple stall owner and many more.
I would recommend this to anyone with an interest in Himalaya travel stories.
The story gives an incredible insight into the daily activities of those living in a typical Bhutanese household. The main thing that stands out is their hospitality and selflessness. They are truly admirable.
Through the author we also get to meet a range of people: The Queens, a Tibetan dignitary, makers of the first Dzongkha dictionary, actors/actresses, an apple stall owner and many more.
I would recommend this to anyone with an interest in Himalaya travel stories.
January 25, 2022
It’s amazing how destiny unfolds for each of us, specially when it comes to the person we marry! And in this book, the Sidney based journalist tells about her travel to India and then Bhutan after she meets an interesting man.
Bunty has an amazing art of story telling, and a humorous way of describing things. Reading about her stay with her Taba family, like me, I am certain any Bhutanese reading her book will know that she got to know a wonderful bunch of people.
Her book is informative, has a lot to share about not only Bhutan’s culture, but Buddhist’s ways too. So anyone who hasn’t visited Bhutan yet and want to should definitely read this. However the part where she says about every bhutanese being allowed to cut down a tree but must replace by planting two isn’t true, she must have been misinformed.
I guess Kathryn must be a pretty young lady now, and must have traveled back to Bhutan several times, as that shaman said.
Bunty has an amazing art of story telling, and a humorous way of describing things. Reading about her stay with her Taba family, like me, I am certain any Bhutanese reading her book will know that she got to know a wonderful bunch of people.
Her book is informative, has a lot to share about not only Bhutan’s culture, but Buddhist’s ways too. So anyone who hasn’t visited Bhutan yet and want to should definitely read this. However the part where she says about every bhutanese being allowed to cut down a tree but must replace by planting two isn’t true, she must have been misinformed.
I guess Kathryn must be a pretty young lady now, and must have traveled back to Bhutan several times, as that shaman said.
December 19, 2016
A lovely tale of a woman who, on meeting an interesting man, goes from being a Sydney based journalist and novelist to a mother living in India, and then Bhutan, living with an interesting and caring local family who gives her an amazing insight into the 'hidden kingdom of the Dragon King'.
Avieson's writing is simple without being twee, humourous without trying too hard, and while she obviously has thought about the situations she found herself in and the differences between life in Bhutan and Australia, she never descends to the cod-philosophy that ruins much travel writing. Rather it feels like a friend making you a little jealous as she talks to you about an amazing period in her life.
The only problem with this book is it will make you wish to move in with a family in Bhutan, something that is not available to many of us.
Avieson's writing is simple without being twee, humourous without trying too hard, and while she obviously has thought about the situations she found herself in and the differences between life in Bhutan and Australia, she never descends to the cod-philosophy that ruins much travel writing. Rather it feels like a friend making you a little jealous as she talks to you about an amazing period in her life.
The only problem with this book is it will make you wish to move in with a family in Bhutan, something that is not available to many of us.
April 15, 2019
I read this from the perspective of having read another 'travel to the Himalayas' book written by a less experienced writer - and I really appreciate the quality of the story telling here. It was wonderful to get some insight into a country that most westerners don't get a chance to see, the author's connection to the place and people was evident. Knowing that the author went on to study Bhutan and its people in more depth, one wonders about the deep and pre-existing connections that play out in our lives, apparently by accident.
June 29, 2019
So very disappointed in this book as my all time favourite is her book The Wrong Door which apparently is the book she's writing in this journal.
October 4, 2025
Incredible!
September 23, 2013
A wonderully written book. It has made Bhutan another place on my list to visit soon!
May 11, 2013
I really liked the imagery in this book. It made me want to pack up and buy a ticket to Bhutan.
January 1, 2019
3 Stars = I liked the book. I'm glad I read it.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews