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  • The Train To Badami

    What a great way to vacation….the train.  My single most favorite way to travel in this country or any other….feels like you are connecting with a time where, not to be redundant, people took their time and enjoyed it.

    The overnight train ride to Badami started a little crazy, needing to actually run for the train and hop on.  The town itself has a great feel and we really enjoyed poking around.  Small town India is always great to explore, finding hidden gems and meeting people.  The temples and caves weren't on the scale of Hampi but were fantastic in their own right.  My favorite part was wandering around the houses surrounding the central lake – the ladies working around the lake were great fun as evidenced by the sunglasses.  Great carvings, beautiful temples and wonderful people.  

    Badami Album

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  • Quick Stop In Delhi

    Spent a few days knockin' around Delhi.  Used a home stay accommodation this time vs. a hotel given it had worked out well in Jaipur and Jodhpur.  Interesting neighborhood and a great experience to live like a Delhi-ite for a few days.  

    Most of the photos I shot were around Humayun's Tomb – my favorite place to go in Delhi.

    Full photos here:  Delhi Album

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  • On To Jodhpur…

    Getting up early and driving through the countryside is second only to train as my prefered mode of travel here.  It is a great way to catch the villages starting the day and spectacular scenery along the way.  Ahh Jodhpur, what an amazing place.  

    I now understand what fairytale castles and the great epics of old were based on – the Mehrangarh Fort.  The blue city is a beautiful spot in the world.  

    The photos from the trip are here:  Jodhpur Album  Enjoy!

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  • Jaipur – Travels Around India

    We took a up to the north for a bit stopping in Jaipur on the way.  An amazing city in a continuously amazing country…the full album is here:  Jaipur Album  and here is a teaser…

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  • Phuket

    We took a short vacation to hang out in Phuket and do some diving.  Great boat, crew and the best part is we had the ENTIRE ship to ourselves.  If you thinking about diving in Thailand – definately check Diva Marine out!

    The trip was amazing and the full album of photos is here - Phuket Album.  Enjoy.

     

    Thailand Diving Vacation 2010 November - 428

  • A Small Gripe If I May….

    Summed up perfectly by this photo of some urban art in our neighborhood….

    Auto Rickshaw Commentary

    For those of you who haven't experienced the wonders of auto rickshaws (I say that in all seriousness because they afford me a great deal of easy, cheap transportation) – there is always the wrangling for price and attempts to get a few more rupee out of the rider.  My favorite tactic is to just say no and walk away when the driver doesn't want to use or pretends the meter isn't working.  8 times out of 10 they acquiesce.

  • Exploring Vietnam

    Always on the list to see, finally got there and fell in love.  Hanoi was by far my favorite but Ho Chi Min was good for knockin around.  Museum of Ethnology in Hanoi – AMAZING, What a great place to spend the entire day.  Reunification Palace in HCMC – great architecture and spaces, very retro.   Ho Tram was of course lovely but that was because I spent most of the three days lounging in the salt water pool.  

    Biggest cultural revelation – Wedding photos being taken months before the event in seriously amazing (and sometimes strange) dresses.  On old military helicopters, in museums, parks, you name it.  

    Can't wait to go back.

    Vietnam Album  

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  • Darjeeling – A Photo Workshop

    Darjeeling is beautiful – wet, but beautiful.  I participated in a photography workshop there for a couple of weeks and it was a unique experience – those who know me, know when I say that there are often many stories that don't bear reapeating in a public forum.  Suffice it to say that organization and communication were not strong points of the workshop. 

    Adventure was the theme of the trip quite literally – from figuring out how to traverse the narrow, slippery, steep paths in the dark whilst in the pickers villages to when we had to "sneek" out of Darjeeling at 2 am on the day before the workshop ended due to some political unrest.  All in all an unforgetable experience.

    Regardless of the difficulties, I met some amazing people, was humbled by one families generous hospitality and took some photos I really like.

    Full album is here:  Darjeeling Album

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  • Avoiding Plastic

    So  after a discussion with our local south indian take out place, they agreed to stop sending the plastic containers and start using our tiffin.  We just deliver it before when we want the take out.  System works great accept they still bring the tiffin in a plastic bag and the sauces in little plastic tubs…but we are making serious progress.  Now I just need to find a mini tiffin for the sauces and we are set.

    If your interested in doing the same thing and can't find a tiffin, let me know and I will see if I can help!

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  • Bowling in Btown

    I Love Bowling Shoes!
    I Love Bowling Shoes!

    So we headed out for a fun night on the town.  Apart from the very funky silver, red and blue shoes you had to wear, the bowling was a bit rough…it consisted of me getting my butt handed to me two games in a row (I managed a very, very sad score both games).  I would love to blame it on the bad lane etiquette exhibited by those on either side of us, the poor fitting ball, etc … but in actual fact, dear reader, I have know for a long time about my severe deficiency in the hand/eye coordination department.

    The evening improved tremendously after I did very well in the more carnival style bowling game found in most arcades…at least I was able to recover a bit of my pride…not to mention, my game gave us tickets…yeahhooo.  Next time I am going back to try for the pressure cooker…although why they decided to decorate the display cabinet with aluminum foil, I will never know.