Beyond Boundaries Hackney 2019

Wednesday 14th August 2019 - Day 1

Yay! Its 5 am on Wednesday morning and the group all made it to the meeting point in Hackney. Let our journey commence to Dharamshala, India!! Yippee..

We take a plane to Dubai and then after a short stopover and a quick nap we continue our journey to Delhi, India.

Thursday 15th August 2019 - Day 2

Finally we have arrived in India!!, We made our way to the domestic airport, enjoying an adventurous bus ride en-route to the domestic terminal

We boarded our connecting flight to Dharamshala, we land safely and board our minibus for the final stage of our journey. Everyone coped amazingly with the long journey.

Yippee we are here, our home for the next 2 weeks.

Time for some well earned lunch! and a very well rest!!

Friday 16th August 2019 - Day 3

Today we enjoyed an orientation of the area, we learnt more about the local people and their way of life. We checked out the local produce growing freshly on the trees, met people from the village and visited their houses. We saw first hand how the communities live and met some local children in their school. We saw their classrooms and learnt about their daily school routine.

Saturday 17th August 2019 - Day 4

Today was very rainy, so rainy that the children couldn't come to school as planned. Our contingency plan sprang into action and we fully utilised the day by exploring the magnificent Kangra Fort and Masroor Rock Temple. Here are a few pics...

Even in the rain Masroor Rock Temple (an Eight Century complex of ancient Hindu Temples cut from a single piece of rock) was pretty impressive! We even fed the catfish in the rain :)

Sunday 18th August 2019 - Day 5

Today we enjoyed a whole day excursion, firstly trekking to Bhagsunag Waterfall and then on the way back visiting Naddi Lake. Although the trek was hard, the whole group made it to the top! and enjoyed some well earned relaxation at Shiva Cafe at the top (who serve the best hot chocolate!). Here are a few pictures from today.

Monday 19th August 2019 - Day 6

Today was our first morning spending time with the community, everyone showed amazing effort. Well done all!

Afterwards we returned home for a yummy lunch, followed by a relaxing afternoon playing board games and chilling.

Tuesday 20th August 2019 - Day 7

This morning we awoke to glorious sunshine.

We spent time in the community before enjoyed having a go at making Chapati's in our Indian Cookery class.

After a cookery break... it was time to get busy, busy busy..... We saw some really good teamwork skills today, well done everyone :)

Wednesday 21st August 2019 - Day 8

This morning started with a power cut! Our local ground staff Pankaj headed to the Electricity Office to file a complaint, while the entire group went to the community without a shower today! Luckily, after not too much time everything was resolved and the day ended with a peacefully over a beautiful sunset.

Here is the local electricity office!

Time to file a complaint!

However it was a peaceful end with a glorious sunset :)

Thursday 22nd August 2019 - Day 9

Enjoyed some wonderful Art and Crafts with the community this morning :)

Friday 23rd August - Day 10

Today's workshop was Henna, fun was had by all...

Had some pamper time :)

Spent some time discussing the itinerary for the next three days...

And once again enjoyed an amazing sunset...while relaxing on our roof terrace.

Saturday 24th August - Day 11

Today we said a fond farewell to the local people we met in the community, we celebrated our friendship with more arts and crafts and by enjoying samosas together.

We spent the rest of Saturday practicing our toothbrush smiles and our boy band poses while visiting Norblinga Monastary

Sunday 25th August - Day 12

Today we spent the day out in Mcleod Gange, visiting the Dalai Lama Monestary, and enjoying a spot of shopping before heading out for dinner wearing our beautiful Indian outfits that we bought here in India.

Monday 26th August - Day 13

Today we had a really early start, travelling by bus to Amritsar to get a prime position in the queue to see the magical golden temple. It is one of the oldest places of worship for the Sikh community. It's called the Golden Temple, because its actually plated in real gold!