India

December 2007 – February 2008

The Andaman Islands
A suitably exotic location (and much warmer than Rajasthan).
Backwater Man
An indefatigably cheerful chap we met cycling around the Kerala backwater villages. He rarely sees tourists and was very excited to see us. We were equally excited to see his awesome beard.
Pani Puri
Traditional Indian street grub. Crispy shells filled with potato and spices. Good food for 10p a plate.
Our camel!
Erin's camel, Tiger. Camels are weird.
Local Man cookin' up some chai
The ubiquitous Chai shop at some random Indian village. Sweet, sweet milky goodness.
Simon Learning to Cook
Could it be? Simon in a kitchen? Yes, friends, it's true - Simon turned his hand to cooking and, naturally, was a master of it. Actually, here he is just making the tea.
Desert Sunset
A spectacular sun setting over the desert in Gujarat.
The Dhobi Ghat, Mumbai
This place is a hundred times crazy. It's basically a gigantic human washing machine, where loads of little busy workers wash the city's clothes then beat them dry on big rocks.
Sand dunes
The beautiful sand dunes in the desert outside Jaisalmer, where we spent the night on our camel safari. They are a jolly magnificent site.
Hampi
The river at Hampi, on our way to our guest house.
Big Rocks
Hampi! The land of outrageously large boulders!
Coracle Time
Our crazy little 'boat' (giant teacup) that took us up the river. From left to right, Simon, Jen, Melinda and Jason. Erin was taking the photo.
Jason and Jen and Yogic Handstands
We saw this awesome ruined building up the hill in Hampi and Jason and Jen thought it would be a good idea to attempt some crazy yogic headstands right out at the edge. Magic.
Hampi Panorama
The spectacular views from up the hill at Hampi (not pictured: the wonderful sense of well being that comes from seeing such views).
Hampi Sunset
The glorious view from our guest house in Hampi - the sunsets were magical.
The Virupaksha Temple, Hampi
This was the main temple at Hampi, where Lakshmi was kept.
Us at Hampi
Just to prove that we were actually there... Thanks to the lovely Melinda for this one.
Traditional Village Lady
Our desert accommodation was based at this village at Hodka. Here is a villager.
Traditional Village Musos
Traditional desert musicians that performed for us. One of the drummers was playing a skin-covered pot. It sounded awesome.
Desert accommodation
Our luxury tents in the middle of the desert. No sleeping on floors and peein' outside for us, no sir - These bad boys had large double beds and attached bathrooms with showers.
Our Houseboat
Our luxury houseboat on the backwaters of Kerala.
Kerala Backwaters
The wonderfully tranquil Kerala backwaters.
Jaisalmer Fort
The most impressive sandcastle-like fort at Jaisalmer.
A Jewish Synagogue, Fort Cochin
A Jewish Synagogue, Fort Cochin 2007 - India - Added: Sunday, 23 December 2007 A Jewish synagogue in the European-influenced Fort Cochin.
Kathakali Performer Applying Makeup 2
Performer getting ready for the show.
Kathakali Performer Applying His Makeup
Getting ready for showtime.
Lakshmi the Holy Elephant
A holy Hindu pachyderm in the temple at Hampi.
Lakshmi the Holy Elephant blessing Simon
Simon getting a blessing from the Holy Hindu Pachyderm. Give him a coin, she passes it to her mahout then gives you a bloody great whack with her giant snozz. Apparently this is good for your soul.
The Lotus Mahal
The Lotus Mahal, part of the huge palace complex at Hampi that we spent a day riding around. A blend of Islamic and Hindu architecture, apparantly. We just thought it looked purdy
Little Baby Monkey
Awww, just wook at the widdle baby monkey! These little fellas were all over the temples. You have to watch your bananas closely, cause they'll whip 'em straight outta your hands.
Jain Temple, Ranakpur
The incredible Jain Temple at Ranakpur. This place had like a million marble columns giving it a labyrinth feel, which was augmented by this bloody great tree growing in the middle.
Outside Jain Temple, Ranakpur
The outside of the crazy Jain Temple at Ranakpur
The Lake at Ranakpur
Very peaceful it was, too. We would have stayed longer than the one night we did stay if it hadn't have got so bloomin' cold during the night.
Simon and the Sandshark
Makin' stuff outta sand is fun. His teeth are little bits of dead white coral that floated up on the beach. Awesome.
Shanti Lodge, Hampi
Our extremely chilled out lodge with incredible views and really hard working Tibetan staff.
Simon Lugging a Bike
Simon carrying Erin's bike like the chivalrous gent he is across a bridge during a long bike ride through the Kerala backwater villages.
Simon and a Holy Man
Simon meeting a Hindu priest. They're kinda hard NOT to meet, to be honest. Note the red mark on his forehead, that means he's got a one way ticket to Hindu heaven baby - much better than your lame Christian heaven.
Rollin' in the Desert
Simon rolling down a dune, as you do when in the desert. Thanks to Jason and Dan for putting the idea in his head.
Street Scene, Jaisalmer
The stall where we bought oranges. 'Real' India.
Thomas at the Chai Shop
Our wonderful host Thomas during our stay at his home in a small village in the backwaters. He took us on lots of interesting walks and tours which invariably involved a stop at a local chai shop, where he would catch up with the locals. This guy knows everyone.
A Local Drunkard
A villager enjoying one of the coconut tree's many fruits.
A Local Toddy Shop
A den of sin in the backwaters of Kerala. We went there by canoe.
Gettin' Hammered with the Locals
Us and our new American friend Jason enjoying the local brew toddy. It smelt like the devil's armpit but it tasted ok, especially when followed with the chili omelettes that were also served. The toddy made from fermented coconut flower sap and is 4% when it's fresh and 8% after 24 hours fermenting.
Big ol' trains
Trains in the desert. These things were great long humongous things. We spent a lot of time on trains.
Udaipur
The lovely view over the lake from our hotel room in Udaipur.
Udaipur Palace
The grand palace overlooking the lake at Udaipur.
Endangered Wild Ass
Endangered Asiatic Wild Ass in the Little Rann of Kutch wildlife reserve, another vast empty desert in Gujarat.

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