SINCE the borders of many countries have reopened, my mantra has been: Keep Calm and Travel On.
Eat. Love. Travel. Pray. Not necessarily in that order. But a good mix of these elements came together as I made up for lost time and dug into my bucket list and headed for the highlands.
Dharamshala is the winter capital of Himachal Pradesh, in India. One of the smart cities to be developed in the country, it is also home to the exiled 14th Dalai Lama.
I was extremely honoured to have been invited for a private audience with the Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso during this trip. It was such a privileged experience, meeting with the spiritual leader of the Tibetan people who, at 86, still continues spreading his message of peace, non-violence, kindness and compassion with his strong soothing and somewhat melodious voice.
McLeod Ganj, also known as “Little Lhasa”, a suburb in Dharamshala, proved a relaxing experience, in the presence of rolling meadows, snow-covered mountain peaks and the oak and coniferous vegetation.
Gorging on Tibetan food is one of the best things to do in Dharamshala — an authentic Himachali experience. We had freshly steamed momos and delicious soupy thukpas daily for lunch. The Tibetan chilli sauce accompanying the momos was divinely spicy!
If travel is a top priority on your bucket list, you won’t regret taking a trip and start by going on a journey of a lifetime. My decision to travel to Delhi and to Dharamshala was a wonderful choice. This trip truly broadened my mind, lifted my heart and filled my soul.
