Walking the Himalayas

It was a damp and soggy morning and the monastery of His Holiness the Dalai Lama was still shrouded in a low mist. The shrill squawk of macaques echoed through the thick air and the soporific chants of Buddhist mantras resounded across the courtyard. The heady aroma of saffron, juniper and cannabis wafted over the stupas and golden statues.