2010.11 - Amritsar, India

We were stuck in this crowd much to John's dismay. It was like a mosh pit. Even more difficult when cycle rickshaws and motorcycles started plowing through.

Golden Temple :0)
Golden Temple


Shehkar, Jaya and Me.
Wagah border ceremony. Closing of the Pakistan / India border ceremony happens every night. Quite ridiculous with lotsa high kicks and parading and screaming from the crowds on both sides.




Amritsar police. His wife and kids live in England. We didn't quite work out why he isn't there..........
Diwali at the Golden Temple. Really beautiful.

2010.10 - McLeod Ganj, India

We met Shenkar and Jaya the night before in McLeod Ganj. Lovely people. We rang them when we got to Amritsar as they live near there.

Home of HH Dalai Lama is McLeod Ganj. Most locals here are Tibetan refugees. Free Tibet.

This was a stupa in the temple in town. Kinda looks like a gaudy wedding cake :0/

Tibetan prayer flags with monk.

Rhesus macaque. I love monkeys :0)

Ring necked parakeets are everywhere. Noisy little buggers.

We couldn't get very close but at least we saw him, HH Dalai Lama.

Protest in McLeod Ganj. Students want the rights of the Tibetans to study Tibetan in Tibet, not just Mandarin.
View from our balcony.

Griffin Vulture

2010.10 - Manali, India

It snowed about 2 inches when we were in Manali. There was no heating so we slept in hats and many blankets. Locals said it was unusual for the snow to come so early. Many of the locals head to Goa for the winter season as there are no tourists in Manali in winter......makes sense.

This was the view (below) from our balcony after the snow day. Stunning

2010.10 - Shimla, India

Shimla was a hill station for the British during occupancy ;0) We weren't overly impressed but it was OK.

2010.10 - Rishikesh

This is the dilapidated accommodation of the Marahashi Mahesh Ashram where the Beatles came to get enlightened........and write the White Album :0) . My personal favourite.

Ghats at the Ganges. I love the colourful saris. Not easy to get photos of women.

Below - me at the waterfall :0)

2010.10 - Haridwar

This is a Hindu pilgrimmage site on the the Ganges. Pilgrims come here to bathe in the holy waters.

Below- Shiva statue. Huge.

2010.10 - Nainital, India

Indian Bus - the start of many bus journeys in India.
The lake was central to the town. Couples could rent a boat in the shape of a swan etc. Delhi-ites escape summer heat here as the elevation is 2000m.

Below - Langur monkeys were everywhere. I love monkeys :0) John promised we could have 2 when we got home............. I wonder if they will be real monkeys ;0)