Bathing in the holy waters. Nasik, Maharashtra. During the two weeks that Tal’s parents came to visit us in India, I had lots of time to spend with her father, Zach. I love spending time with the guy — truly one of the best travelers I know — but our bro-out time was mostly the construct of the women. When they wanted to shop, we had time to roam. And during those 10-minute to 4-hour stretches, we’d often focus on photography, as Zach is an ace with a lens. So if you notice a distinct improvement about halfway through, well, now you know why. Here are my picks for the best photos of the second half of our trip. Please do enjoy. Up in the clouds. Top Station, Tamil Nadu.
So many foods. Totally typical. Alleppey, Kerala.
Is there a better place to get a tattoo of Lord Shiva than in the middle of a street in India? Yes, probably. Alleppey, Kerala.
In the backwaters. Outside Alleppey, Kerala.
Laundry time. Hampi, Karnataka.
About 500 years ago, this was the center of one of the biggest cities in the world. Now it's just for backpackers and a handful of Indians. Hampi, Karnataka.
Relaxing at the top. Hampi, Karnataka.
Sunset in Hampi at the sacred spot where monkey god Hanuman was born. Hampi, Karnataka.
Happiest chicken truck driver in India. Mumbai, Maharashtra.
Detail from a Hanuman temple - always my favorite holy spots. Mumbai, Maharashtra.
These temples were all carved out of a sheer rock wall, and date back a thousand years. Absolutely bonkers. Ellora Caves, Maharashtra.
Chilly on the Ganges, take one. Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.
Terraced farmland outside Begnas Tal, Nepal. We just stumbled upon this monster on the side of a mountain.
Woman in Durbar Square, Kathmandu. Most of this centuries-old square was destroyed by last the earthquake in April.
The world's moving around her and all she cares about is the carrots. Kathmandu, Nepal.
All we did with this lady was laugh. Kathmandu, Nepal.
Had to get out of the city. Beautiful hike in Dhulikhel, Nepal.
Sadhu, Holy Man, Baba. This guy. Let it be known - the grey powder is the ash of human cremations, which happens just downstream along the Ganges. Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.
And this guy... Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.
And also him. Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.
Don't forget this guy! In actuality, he was a gentle, kind dude. I sat with him one morning and watched him do puja (prayer/ceremony). It was beautiful. Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.
Typical Indian street scene. No room for cars. And all men. Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.
Just a kid with a cobra, no big deal. Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.
Gotta get clean sometime. Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.
Water buffalo on the Ganges. Drink up. Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.
Sleeping on the job. Bodhgaya, Bihar.
Monks chanting next to the Bodhi tree where Buddha achieved enlightenment. This place had an incredible, mystical vibe. Bodhgaya, Bihar.
Flower market under a bridge. Kolkata, West Bengal.
Let's end on one from Thailand. Backstage at a neighborhood Chinese New Year celebration. Dusit, Bangkok, Thailand.
