India 2014

The eternal flame, Varanasi

This fire has been kept burning for several thousand years. It is the source of the fire for the cremations that take place continually on the banks of the Ganges in Varanasi.

Night scene, cremation ghat

Dramatic night scene of the cremation ghat taken at night from the river. The eternal flame is in the right-center part of the image.

Entering the Taj Mahal grounds at sunrise.

The grounds open at 0600, and the early crowd was substantial. The constantly hazy sky produces the ball of light effect from the sun.

Mallory and Gloria at the Taj

Image of the Taj Mahal from across the river in the Mehtab Bagh garden.

Taj Mahal from Mehtab Bagh.

A small woman cutting the grass by hand in a public garden across the river from the Taj Mahal. While technically looking at the back of the Taj, it appears the same from all sides.

Sikh temple, Delhi.

This Sikh temple has a huge kitchen that feeds nearly 20,000 people a day for no charge, all with donated food and labor. The large water reservoir is used by the locals to cool off in the heat as well as provide the water for the temple.

Step well, near Jaipur.

This huge step well, outside the normal tourist path between Agra and Jaipur can become very full during the rainy season.

Mother and daughter at the mosque.

Image taken at the main hall at the Jama Masjid mosque, New Delhi.

Mother and children at the monkey temple.

Small family of rhesus monkies at an old temple outside Jaipur. Known locally as the monkey temple.

Hindu selfie

I noticed these girls taking a selfie in a park in Mumbai. They were amused I was also taking their picture. Once they saw Mallory, they wanted a shot taken with her.

How popular was Mallory?

When the girls saw me taking their picture, they immediately wanted a shot with Mallory. This process was repeated on numerous occasions whenever a group of young girls spotted her.

Audience room, Jodhpur fort.

Detail from room in the Mehrangarh fort in Jodhpur.

Building details, Jodhpur

Details from a different walkway and room in the Mehrangarh fort in Jodhpur.

Mallory in Jaisalmer

Sitting in a window in a haveli in the Jaisalmer fort.

Camel herd, Thar desert

Enroute to Jaisalmer, our driver spotted a herd of camels a few blocks off the highway. Gloria kept insisting she wanted to try some camel milk, so here was a chance for a unique Indian moment. For the sake of accuracy, they are actually dromedaries, not camels (which have two humps).

Time for a quick snack

The camel herders were happy to provide Gloria with her chance to try some fresh camel milk. This was to be the only chance, as the milk is not collected or processed for the market.

Bottoms up!

After the bowel was carefully cleansed with some handfuls of desert sand, the camel was milked. As you can see, Mallory went first. It was actually quite sweet and fresh tasting.

Whose idea was this?

Mallory taking the first timid step towards becoming the camel mistress. A quick ride in the Thar desert near Jaisalmer.

Bishnoi hospitality

We visited a Bishnoi tribal village outside Jaisalmer (kind of a touristy thing to do in that area). One of their traditions is an opium based tea made from raw opium. We all had a sip, and it was quite mild. The only concerning thing was you had to drink directly from the host's hand.

Hanging in the park with a few good friends.

These guys are mostly seen in tourist areas, but always attract a crowd. The cobras have the poison removed, but the constrictor was about 8 feet long.

Morning ride on the Ganges

Sunrise boat trip on the Ganges to view the multitude of temples that line the shore of the river.

Candles on the Ganges.

Two women placing small ghee candles on paper floats and releasing them with a prayer onto the flowing Ganges in Varanasi.

Haley at the gym

We visited a training center for wrestling. Allegedly one of the oldest gymnasiums in the world. Haley is being shown how to work out with their free weights.

Walk this way......

A single pilgrim strolling past some colorful painted signs along the Ganges in Varanasi.