On 18 June, Tiger’s 5 month “birthday”, we took a car and driver to McLeod Ganj which is a bit like the hippy Manali-esque end of Daramsala. Lost foreigners, off licenses, great restaurants and the home of the Dalai Lama.
We checked into Worlds Hostel for 3 nights where we had a private room with ensuite (“deluxe double room”) for 6296 Rs plus taxes which equated to £80 although worth noting that they do have lovely dorm beds for some 400 Rs. It was up a windy, very high road and next to the Gallu Devi Temple. A bit tricky to find but the driver did find it eventually!
We had a lovely time in McLeod Ganj. Highlights included going up to visit a waterfall (part of the way, we didn’t go all the way up!), hiding from Tiger’s first monsoon in a fantastic restaurant (very baby friendly as the tables were on the floor – perfect for changing nappies!), and visited the Dalai Lama temple.
Memorable particularly too was the nightlife, not that I could partake in it, but I could certainly hear it! Tiger goes off to sleep in her bassinet at 8pm and sleeps soundly until at least 8am. Two of the nights we were there I could hear the full on gig next door of the band playing Oasis covers and Bob Dylan’s “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door” (or “Knocking on Evans’ Door” as Robin renamed it) whilst I sat in the dark with a sleeping baby in the corner drinking a beer! So in a way missing out, but in another I wouldn’t change it for the world.