We now have broadband access at the Annex Hotel available all year round on the computer in our common lounge area.  Our only request is that guests just take care of their emails to ensure this facility is available to all guests staying at the hotel.

The Dalai Lama has had an extended stay in Mcleod Ganj this year offering more teachings which has brought many more visitors to the region.  He has also cancelled his 10 day teachings for March 2009.

It has been an early monsoon this year so lots of rain and everything is spectacularly green.  It started early so we are hoping it finishes early!

We have also had many guests this year who are friends of previous guests.  We love this word of mouth business and it has made it interesting when catching up on travel stories, photographs and how did you meet so and so stories!

Our plumbers, electricians and tilers have been in doing general maintenance and repairs across the hotel, rooms and kitchen.  It is all finished so we are now ready for the Christmas and New Year season.

People have been booking early for the Dalai Lama's teachings in March 2007 so we only have a couple of rooms left now.  So if you are returning for the teachings make your booking now to ensure you don't miss out.

The mountains are covered in snow from the first snow falls already across the Himalayas so the temperature has dropped so hot water bottles are provided to our guests at night.  Plus heaters on request if needed for a small charge.

While the Chinese President was visiting India the Dalai Lama put a special teaching on in Mcleod Ganj as a way of keeping out of the limelight and allowing China and India to continue their border and trade negotiations.

So many guests are returning to Mcleod Ganj for Christmas and New Year in the mountains taking a break from their travels around India.

We wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. 

The rains have slowed down and moonsoon is coming to an end.  Bhagsu Waterfall is full and fast flowing down the mountain and makes a lovely 1/2 day walk in the hills.  Walking up to Triund (snow line) is another beautiful walk at this time of years everything is so lush and green. 

The Karmapa, who is now residing at the Gyoto Monastary, is available for public audience and blessings twice a week now.  The monestary was officially opened in February 2006 by the Dalai Lama and is an impressive building and place of worship just outside of Dharamshala with the Himalaya Mountains as a spectacular back drop.

There are many visitors in Mcleod Ganj at present taking advantage of the cooler weather as a break from the heat in the south, spending several weeks up here on meditation and yoga retreats.

We have had several guests return again this year after previous visits to our hotel.  So it has been nice catching up with them and hearing all their travel stories and news from their home countries. 

This year the monsoon started early.  The rains start in the late afternoon for a couple of hours, cooling everything down and keeping everything green.  Norbalinka, Tibetan Culture Centre, has been a popular day trip for guests interested in the museum and Tibetan handicrafts.  Day hikes in the local area have also been very popular this year as people head for the hills to see temples, monasteries, and trek up to the snow line.

The Dalai Lama has scheduled several teachings in Dharamshala over the next 10 months.

The dates are:
24 June 2006 - 1 July 2006
14 August 2006 - 18 August 2006
3 March 2007 - 19 March 2007

Make a booking... and reserve your room and pay your deposit early, to ensure you have a room for the teachings.          

For further details on the Dalai Lama's Schedule and the protocol and registration at these teachings go to www.dalailama.com        

It is another beautiful day in Mcleod Ganj the weather is quite mild, one only needs to wear a t-shirt and jumper to be comfortable.  We have been busy painting at the Annex Hotel and it is looking very good.

People are starting to make their way here in preparation for the Tibetan New Year on the 27th February and for the Dalai Lama's teachings 15-29 March.

There has been no snow in the mountains this winter and it may sound a little crazy but we have been praying for it.  No snow in winter means water shortages in the summer.  Majeed has been treating us to his steamed dumplings.  They are absolutely delicious and a little bit addictive.  The Dalai Lama is in town and over the last week gave 2 unscheduled talks because of the arrival of 200 refugess from Tibet.  We went to the first one which was on compassion and the illusion of self.  It was an amazing experience as we sat outside with about 5000 Tibetans listening to the teachings.  We listed to the immediate translation into english on our FM radio which enabled us to feel very incuded in what was going on.

Heading back to our rooftop cafe now to have some lunch and enjoy the sun and the spectacular views across the valley.