Yamunotri Shrine

the drive to Yamunotri...

peak peek

wild wonderfulness!

the most gorgeous pit-stop ever--

we're here-- let's trek up the river

the sunset reflects

summoning the river spirits

end a good day with a good tree climb.

early morning view from our hotel.

a frightful bunch.

--that's a henna moustache -muhj in hindi. turned into a social experiment of sorts, which brought much Indian laughter into the world, and a few befuddled "are you a boy or a girl?"s.

i don't know how these guys do it, the hike up to the temple is a steep uphill for about 6km.

-how the elderly and the sick and businessmen on cell phones make it to the holy site.

Yamunotri temple

they built the temple around a natural hot springs, made one room for women and one for men 

himalayas in the background of the temple

our send-off party

Rishikesh/ Haridwar

Rishikesh-- yoga capital of the world

Laxman Jhula- one of two suspension bridges in Rishikesh that crosses the Ganges (and quite a tight squeeze when motorcycles and donkeys with big loads are crossing)

a green trail, just wandering, trying to find a good yoga session

we found one...  taking our shoes off before going inside

our ascetic friend, Raju Baba.  We met him through an exchange of drawings and he joined us on our day's adventures.

a temple on the Ganges

the Ganges

Haridwar-  We arrived a bit late, missed the fire ceremony on the Ganges.  A remnant candle floating by.

Teeka powder used by Hindu married women for bindis.

the paparazzi here are like no other.

Landour/Mussoorie- Queen of the Hills

Hike up to Fairy Hill

altar for the fairy/angel/witch of the hill

someone came to say hi to thea.

grazing the flower pots... thanks

view from Oak Land (our cottage)