Sunday the day of rest and religion, oh and a trip to a fine resurant

SUNDAY IS HERE!!!!!


I awoke at 9am and rolled over and slept til about 11:30. :-) Some people might think this a waste of half a day but the batteries enjoyed the recharge time!
Jason and i had arranged to go for a walk to see the local monastery, (there are a few here in Dehradun due to the number of Tibetan monks, or is that why there are so monks? Chicken and egg anyone?)
We set off after lunch and enjoyed the walk.



The now obligatory road cow shot.




The Hindi temple.


The Hindi temple again, notice the mirrors and sinks on the right.


We did notice a lot of activity at the Hindi temple and lots of flip-flops outside, had it not been so busy we might have had a look inside. Now, being a Westerner Jason and I had no idea about religious protocol, apart from the fact shoes were a no-no. I'm not sure on the washing before or after visiting a religious area so Ill save this visit until I bring a native...


Sunday seems to bring everyone out.


Another road cow just going for a walk.


Sundays are very important here in India as for most its the only day off, celebration, shopping and religion.



Not far down the road was our closest Buddhist temple. This seemed a lot quieter and we decided to investigate.

Quite majestic for a smaller temple we got closer.


Opened by the Dalai Lama no less!!!!

Now, I really fancied having a look inside, but those long white stairs might have lead to a huge group deep in prayer and I wasn't sure what would happen. Like two school boys daring each other we got closer. Then I thought sod it I'm going to have a look. I climbed the stairs followed by Jason and was greeted by a monk outside the temble. It was nearly empty so I thought it might be nice to enter, I walked closer and the monk pointed at my feet and I nodded respectfully and removed my shoes, I then entered trying to walk as religiously and respectfully as I could In a Buddhist Temple, not being of any religion this probably wasn't very convincing. I was a little discrete with taking pictures as I didn't want to find out that this was a huge desecration of there worship and end up being stoned or something. The inside was spectacular and the pictures can not convey the grandness of it all.

The altar surrounded with bronze/gold statues.


There are statues everywhere, it gives you an incredible feeling of being somewhere of huge historical and religious significance.


The work and time spent in creating this temble is just beyond belief, everything is in perfect and prestene order and the quality and craftsmanship is staggering.



Right the way up the the walls to the ceiling statues everywhere.


Some repairs? Painting? or just more shelves for statues?


Having had a look around and being as discrete with the camera as possible I headed out.
We decided to go for a walk as it was a nice day.


The true work-mans wagon.



A funky looking lorry, there are quite a few of these about, and they like to decorate them.


Someone having an extension to there already large and wealthy house.


Another funky lorry.




The monkeys were out in force today.

As soon as you get the camera out the head off.....


Luckily this camera has zoom!




Before we had realised it we had walked a fair few miles downhill, Jason wanted some snacks from our emporium so we decided to hail a Vickeram and ride to the shops. I also had my camera so I thought id take some snaps to show you.



We managed 11 people in this Vickeram....




Now this is our "local shop" there are many alongside the road but this is our preferred choice!


An army official getting supplies.


How colourful is that, notice Jason selecting some fine green tea.




Its just amazing what this guy actually has......


After getting more essential supplies we headed back to get ready to go for dinner, tonight it was the hotel President.
A 15 minute ride in a crowded Vickerham and we were in town, the President is just next to the Black Pepper.

Some Indian Gent, George, Andy and Jason.

Only in India........

Enjoying a haywards 5000 at the President hotel.(Andy, me George and Jason)

My fave! Sheek kebab and the best way to spend a £1.

A mixed selection of Indian, Chinese and continental foods.
The President was cheap, starters being about £1 and main courses averaging £2.
The service was good but the timings of the starters and main courses were a bit random, the Black pepper has better food and first class service!

We poured out of the President and hired a private tuk tuk to take us back home!