Watching the sun go down above Dharamsala. Chai in hand, pizza en route. Wonderful memories. Pen and ink

Ahh, Norbulingka. This was a birthday surprise for the boyf - a few nights away from the spartan [generous description] backpackwanker hostels and dives we had been used to. And, wow - this place was something else.

A hotel built in the grounds of a Japanese-style Zen garden on the outskirts of Dharamsala; Norbulingka Institute is a university for Tibetan arts. As you walk through the grounds, amidst the fluttering prayer flags and babbling streams, (do you hate me yet?) workshops buzz with activity. Sculptors, carpenters, printmakers, weavers and painters all keeping their artforms alive by passing their skills on to a new generation of Tibetans; tragically exiled from their homeland.

Given the setting, we probably could have done a lot of culturally enriching activities. What we actually did was eat a lot of homemade bread, drink Old Monk in the daytime, fend off gigantic spiders and look at the dinosaur birthday card Adam and Jenny (love you guys) made for Dan. A good time had by all.

Geeking out about Tibetan artwork after special birthday cookies. I reiterate: a very good day.