Beyond Boundaries 2017 - Hackney
Follow the journey in pictures of 10 young people from Hackney who are embarking on an Epic journey across the world to India, where they will experience first hand a culture that is a world away from their own. This trip will build their confidence, motivate them to achieve and inspire them to push beyond their comfort zone to reach for new more ambitious goals.
Sunday August 13th, 2017
Whoop whoop ready for our Epic journey to India.
Through from security at Heathrow.
Our group photo before departure.
Our Jet
Bye bye London
In the plane.
First time flyers.
Definitely ready for the journey.
Monday August 14th, 2017
We have finally arrived in Delhi after a 7 hour flight.
Welcome to India.
On our way through immigration
We are heading to the Youth Hostel in Delhi
Here we are checking in at the Youth Hostel
Our first taste of a local market in New Delhi
Enjoying our first lunch at Pizza Hut, after this we are going to get some sleep ready for a busy day tomorrow.
Tuesday August 15th, 2017
Here we are wide awake at Breakfast in the Delhi Youth Hostel and ready for another busy day :)
Today is India's National Independence Day, we stop to watch some celebrations before heading to the airport.
Today is the mark of the 70th year of India's independence from British rule.
Here we are again on the way to domestic departures to go to our final destination - Dharamshala.
We are waiting at the airport in anticipation for our flight.
Can you guess the most famous person who we were lucky enough to share our flight with?
Yes, it was only His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama! His Holiness is the spiritual leader of the Tibetan people, and probably the most famous person in Dharamshala, how lucky are we?
We made it to Dharamshala and are on our way to what will be our home for the next two weeks yippee :)
Here we are walking down to our house in the forest.
We arrived just in time for our first lunch on the roof terrace.
This is our daily view while we eat out lunch.
Wednesday August 16th, 2017
Today we started our day by visiting the local community and meeting local children who showed us around their area and their homes.
Arghh we are getting along great already its going to be a fun 2 weeks :)
The children showed us around the village
We saw their homes
And met their livestock. Its a slightly different way of doing things than popping to Tesco for milk and cheese here everything comes directly from the cow and animals are sacred.
Along the way we met some ladies carrying food home for their animals, they are experts at balancing it all on their heads.
Here we are again catching up with people in the local community
Here's William having a selfie with a Buffalo ...
Bucket heads! Did you know that in rural India it is most common for people to take bucket showers, water is scarce and preserving water is an absolute necessity.
Here we are cramming in some Hindi lessons so we can make the most out of the opportunity to communicate with local people and learn about how live is in rural India.
Friday August 18th, 2017
Here are some of the drawings that our young people and the local children drew to share information about their lives and families.
Busy busy busy planning more activities :)
Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes.
Saturday August 19th, 2017
Here we are having our pre departure briefing for our day trip to Kangra Fort and the Rock Cut Temple.
Now we are all set to go :) Yippee a fun day of sightseeing ahead :)
Here we are enjoying the Rock Temple.
and the views at Kangra Fort
Now its time for our Mehendi (Henna) Cultural Workshop
"I can accept failure, but I can't accept not trying".
"One day I'm going to grow wings, a chemical reaction".
Bonding over Henna
Sunday August 20th, 2017
A relaxing day on the Bhagsung Waterfall and Naddi Lake sightseeing excursion
Naddi Lake
Monday August 21st 2017
Cooking class from master chef Pankaj Sidana.
Cooking workshop tonight... made beautiful pakoras.
Tuesday 22 August, 2017
Here are the results of some of the activities we planned with the kids.
Wednesday 23rd August 2017
Here we are all dressed in our Indian gear for a relaxing meal out to celebrate our acheivements.
Here we are at the Dalai Lama Monestary
Our last day saying goodbye to the community
Here we are singing our final goodbye song with the children in Dharamshala.
Having left Dharamshala and arrived back in Delhi, here is our first experience of an Indian railway station.
Now were on our way to Agra to see the Taj Mahal. Our first experience of an India Sleeper train.
Sunday 27th August
Today we are going to see the Taj Mahal and the Red Fort
Here is our first glimpse at the Taj Mahal
Now for the Red Fort in Agra
We found a new rickshaw driver along the way:
After a long day of sightseeing its time for a well deserved meal of yummy South Indian food.
All packed and ready to set off home :)
We have arrived at international departures.
Through security, now for a a bit of shopping before we leave.
All boarded and ready for home :)
Yay we landed safe and sound... On our way to arrivals
Scanning our passports
Off to collect our bags.... We'll be back in Hackney by 8:30 pm.. see you all soon :)
