We have a private vehicle now and drive the twisting, winding road towards Madikeri. There is a system to driving these roads, as we pass we seem to be constantly narrowly missing other vehicles. Our driver is good and I have much confidence in him, least that’s what I tell myself.

We soon arrive at Namdroling Monastery, established for the Tibetan refugees who fled to India. This is now the largest teaching center of Nyingma lineage of Tibetan Buddhism.  There is a peaceful calm here, a great place for some quiet mediation.