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The view of the Ganges and the convenient "barber shop" outside our hotel in the ancient city of Varanasi |
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A young boy spends all day in this silk "factory" in the Muslim section in Varanasi |
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A typical scene on the Ganges river: boats, cows, dogs, and children playing in the mud mixed with trash |
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The Ganges is more serene at dawn |
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Colorfully clad women bathing in the river |
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"Oh, that's why my sheets felt a bit gritty!" A typical laundromat in Varanasi. |
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A cow, dog and small puppy eat out of one of the trash piles seen along every alley and street in town |
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Despite its rancid smells, Varanasi's architecture offers an unparalleled glimpse into the once majestic past of India's Maharajas |
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Cremation is commonplace along the riverbanks as the Ganges is sacred and a most honored final resting place |
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Michael takes a turn at rowing |
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We spent Christmas Eve in Varanasi with a skinny Indian Santa |
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Someone in the dining car was feeding this cow. Why there are cows on train platforms is a whole other discussion |
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Tiny but functional: our room aboard the train from Varanasi to Agra |
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We took the train to Agra and the splendid Taj Mahal did not disappoint |
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Our friend Debi traveled with us throughout India |
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This newly married couple wanted to pose for a ridiculous amount of photos with us (note the woman's highly henna'd hand). |
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Cows rule the road in India |
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Cows lollygagging on the street median as a hardworking camel passes by |
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Lisa tentatively touching a cobra |
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A feminine-looking spotted deer in Ranthambore National Park |
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A little owl eyes us as we roll by |
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Michael hangin' in the jeep |
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Finally! A gorgeous Royal Bengal Tiger. |
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He's doesn't appear too concerned about us. |
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Trying to get the best shot |
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We're like a walking advertisement for REI |
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We gave up our bananas to our furry friends |
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Beautiful sights on the road |
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A woman working in a field of mustard plants |
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People fill the buses to the rim, literally |
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A typical doorway in the beautiful lakeside town of Udaipur |
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This calf attached itself to Lisa and Debi |
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Lisa at our hotel in Udaipur - looks so elegant, but is still pretty cheap |
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The children are incredibly friendly; we barely made it one block without taking pictures with a group of kids |
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The famous lake has been mostly dried up for years and is now a perfect spot for cricket or grazing cows |
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Lisa bought some sparkly flip flops in Udaipur |
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We highly recommend taking a private cooking lesson from X |
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These widow's handprints were taken just b/f they threw themselves on their royal husbands burial pyre |
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Being silly on the roof at sunset |
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A woman washing her hair outside of our hotel |
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The Lake Palace Hotel (former Maharaja's palace) is still on some water |
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Relaxing in our hotel room after a tiring day of exploring |
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One of the many beautiful and eclectic characters on the streets |
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You gotta love the colors in India |
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"The Blue City" of Jodphur |
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A view of the impressive fort in Jodphur |
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The fort from the roof of our guest house |
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Colorful Indian spices in the market |
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We had to jockey for position on the street with this elegantly-horned water buffalo |
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This cow lunged at Lisa when she tried to cut through the group |
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A view of the desert city of Jaisalmer (our personal favorite place) from inside the fort |
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Kite-flying is popular all over India; this boy is on a nearby rooftop |
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Debi and Lisa having lunch in the fort |
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Debi setting out on a sunset camel ride over Sam Sam Dunes |
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I'm not sure who's lips are bigger |
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Michael and his camel getting acquainted |
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Lisa and our camel guide - an amazingly savvy 10-year old boy |
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Who can stretch their neck longer? |
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This charming morning market just under our window lost some of its charm when we were woken up around 4a.m. |
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Wedding invitations are painted on the side of houses; inviting everyone in town to celebrate |
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Yet another wonderful face |
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The fabulous Jaisalmer fort; one of the only ancient forts still inhabited by about 2000 people |
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Men working at night on gorgeous buildings inside the fort |
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The fort was built in the 1600's and the architecture is intricate |
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Female cows roam the streets during the day and wait at their owner's doors for food in the evening |
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Posing in one of the hotel lobbies |
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We had garlic cream cheese on baguettes here almost every day |
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Women from a nearby desert town at a local well |
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A couple of our camels were bound when we were resting so they wouldn't wander too far |
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We stopped for lunch and this snake charmer appeared out of nowhere |
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Our guides show Michael the proper way to wear a turban |
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Relaxing atop a sand dune |
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While our guide set up camp, we wandered around the dunes |
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Michael demonstrating excellent form |
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Lisa, also enjoying the soft sand |
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A caravan of locals heading home for the night |
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Our guides preparing dinner by a nearby tree |
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Michael took a long exposure shot of the starry sky |
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Setting off on Day 2 of our camel safari |
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Our camels enjoyed a drink at a watering hole |
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Michael ably driving his camel |
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Kicking up some more sand |
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Lisa in a moment of contemplation |
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Convenient outdoor toilets . . .lovely |
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Sunset over Jaisalmer with our friend Pankaj |
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No fast food here - our meals were made from scratch each day |
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Our little camel safari team |
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We spent a lot of time chillin' on the roof of the fort |
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The gang in the back of an "Ambassador" |
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We had a traditional punjabi made in this shop |
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