Thar to Himalayas

Our rooftop view of the Jodpur fort.

Inside the amazing fort we listened to the audio tour describing years of Rajput history.

The buildings in the old city of Jodpur were historically painted blue to denote Brahmin caste ownership.

Standing on the ramparts of the fort. Although still late winter the sun really heats up by midday, baking the sandstone city.

We arrived in Jaisalmer for the Desert Festival. Events included camel polo, pani races where women carry clay pots of water atop their heads, camel racing and showmanship, mustache and turban tying competitions and endless fireworks.

Some of our favorite camels over the three days of festivities.

Keeping watch...

The winner of the costume contest.

One of our favorite parts of Jaisalmer was the Havelis, gorgeously carved and cool exteriors, mazes of cool stone corridors surrounding a quiet courtyard.

A sunset and full moonrise over beautiful Gadi Sagar. Where the lake ends the pristine desert begins.

An overnight train to Delhi gave us a few hours for beauty treatments. Intending a hair trim Conor received the works...

Fresh crisp air kisses the lovely Mussorie, Queen of the Hill Stations. We purchased woolens to join the Indian Honeymooners in our morning, afternoon and evening strolls along the beautiful Mall, Mussorie's main artery.

On a steep cliff behind the ridge perches a quiet and hidden graveyard. We spent a few hours meandering among the stones and wondering about the lives of Mussorie's last 200 years of British inhabitants.

A typical vista. Due to the winter season we were able to afford Mussorie's best in accommodation, landing us in the 180 degree panoramic deluxe suite of Walnut Grove.

Back in Rishikesh we again find a delicious room overlooking a gorgeously blossoming tree and the Ganges river. Plains below and mountains above hem in the turquoise hued valley.

Yogis and spiritual seekers flock to Rishikesh, including the Beatles in 1968. Their former ashram is tucked into the forest on a cliff overlooking the Ganges but has been abandoned and closed. We spent hours peering into the meditation huts, halls, nooks and crannies.

Sunset over the Ganga.

I am the Eggman. You are the Walrus.
These meditation nooks perch at the top of an enormous dormitory. Climbing down into one was to descend into silence accompanied only by one's thoughts and heavy breathing.

The northward vista from our balcony.