From Dalhousie, we took a 30 minute drive to Khajjiar, a small meadow amongst the hilly forests. It is referred to locally as "Little Switzerland" and was an enjoyable place to spend a morning relaxing. Whilst there, we were challenged by a group of youngsters on a school trip to a game of cricket. After doing much to restore the reputation of our once proud cricketing nation, we had lunch at a small cafe before setting off on the long road trip to Dharamasala. On the beautiful drive along the mountain top roads, we stopped ocassionaly to?take photos and, slightly less expectedly,?for the driver to have his tea. Before we arrived at Dharamasala, some people took the opportunity for a short siesta (David !!).

The next morning, we rose (relatively) early and got a rickshaw to Mcleodganj, a mountainous area decorated by Bhuddist temples, linked up by some scenic walks along footpaths. From the town centre we bought another dubious map, and were advised to start our walk with a trip to Dal Lake, 4km away. 7km later we arrived to the underwhelming spectacle of a slightly muddy pond, but not being disheartened, we sat down for a while and decided where to go next. This was alot easier than actually getting there, as we walked past the increasingly bemused faces of the same locals 4 times before actually setting out down the right route. We continued walking until we found somewhere for lunch. After asking the waitress, she was all to happy to jokingly look at the farcical map and tell us we were about 2 km from where we thought. From here we made some minor adjustments and eventually found our way to the Bragstu Waterfall, which served as both an impressive sight for tourists, and a practical place for bathing and washing clothes for the locals. On our way back to the main town centre, we also visited the Namgyal monastery, which is the residence of his Holiness, the Dalai Lama. With tired legs we welcomed the comforts of returning to the hotel and putting our heads down for the night.

The following morning, we again enjoyed the opportunity to embrace one of the highlights of the Indian experience, and boarded a bus on the 4 hour ride to Palampur. With sparse choice in the way of accomodation we checked into the Pine View, but quickly left on walk to see the surroundings, which were also limited the treacherous rapids at the base of a gorge, not made any less so by the rocks being thrown over the cliff edge above our heads.