South India: A Slice of Paradise

The North of India is notorious for being crazy, polluted, and overall makes for an intense experience. The South of India welcomes backpackers to sunny beaches, alcohol sales after weeks of sobriety, and a general calming feeling that the North is missing out on. We skipped around the coast line hitting beaches in GOA, Kerala, Pondicherry, and even Mumbai. The beaches were great.. even if they don’t compare to Thailand’s crystal blue waters– but not many beaches... Read More

Taj Mahal: Facts & Photos

/* The Facts:… The Taj Mahal was built for & named after Mumtaz Mahal, the third wife of the Mughal emperor Shahjahan. She died during the birth of their 14th (yes FOURTEENTH) child!… a prime example of why India’s population is growing so rapidly!! The seventh wonder of the world was built in her memory by the mourning Shahjahan. The building is actually a tomb, with the happy couple buried beneath it & fake tombs on view inside the main... Read More

Photo Friday: Vibrant Varanasi

Colorful jewelry on the banks of Ganges   Indian markets are a kaleidoscopic flash of colors ranging right through the rainbow. In Varanasi local jewellers line the banks of the Ganges to sell their bright beads & jazzy gems. With the bustle of boats & pilgrims in the holy waters behind there’s a vibrant scene at Varanasi.  Read More

Khajuraho Temples: Erotica and God?

Khajuraho's Famous Gravity-Defying Pose The temples in the smaller town of Khajuraho are stunning & what’s even more impressive…they were all built sometime around 950 A.D! How can people THAT long ago construct these big, beautiful temples each covered in small intricate carvings? The carvings are primarily sex-related which makes the Khajuraho temples so unique, sex meets God in one of the holier places in India. I can imagine the locals 1,000 years... Read More

Photo Friday: Mirror or Mirage?

Kerala's Backwaters mirroring the paradisic palm trees lining their banks There’s a lot of hype surrounding a tour on Kerala’s Famous Backwaters and our four-hour canoe ride through the narrowing canals didn’t disappoint in the slightest. Drifting through canals that are lined with beautiful palm trees, passing by local villagers who call the calming waters home. We floated along as the villagers carried on with their daily chores: fishing from their front... Read More