2006

Philippine Island Hopping: Blue water boat trip to Bohol

Outrigger 'pump boat' ferry anchored in shallow blue water on a white sand beach on Pamilacan Island. Blue water Philippine island beach trip to Pamilacan Island in Bohol.

Blue water 'bangka' sea kayak in Bohol

Small handmade 'bangka' sea kayak anchored in clear blue water beside a white sand island beach. Blue water Philippine island beach trip to Pamilacan Island in Bohol.

Bohol white sand beach beside blue water

Outrigger 'bangka' sea kayaks on the white sand beach of Pamilacan Island. Blue water Philippine island beach trip to Pamilacan Island in Bohol.

Three spinner dolphins breaching a blue water sea in Bohol

Three dolphins splashing in the bow wave of an island ferry boat from Bohol. Blue water Philippine island beach trip to Pamilacan Island in Bohol.

'Bangka' sea kayaks on a white sand beach in Bohol

Outrigger sea kayaks on the white sand beach on a sunny day on Pamilacan Island. Blue water Philippine island beach trip to Pamilacan Island in Bohol.

Filipino boy with a stringer of tropical fish on Pamilacan Islan

A Filipino boy shows off his catch of small tropical fish from the Pamilacan Island coral reef. Blue water Philippine island beach trip to Pamilacan Island in Bohol.

Dolphin tail against a blue water background in Bohol

Close-up photo of a dolphin tail against a background of deep blue sea. Blue water Philippine island beach trip to Pamilacan Island in Bohol.

Blue water fishing from a sea kayak in Bohol

Two fishermen fishing from a small 'bangka' outrigger sea kayak on the Pamilacan Island coral reef. Blue water Philippine island beach trip to Pamilacan Island in Bohol.

Filipino fishermen bringing in a net of small fish in Bohol

A Filipino father and son unloading small fish from a net beside a blue water beach on Pamilacan Island. Blue water Philippine island beach trip to Pamilacan Island in Bohol.

Blue water island beach in Bohol, Philippines

Blue skies and Caribbean blue water on a white sand beach in Bohol. Blue water Philippine island beach trip to Pamilacan Island in Bohol.

White sand beach and blue water in Bohol

Filipino boatman using a bamboo pole to navigate the shallow water channel beside a white sand beach. Blue water Philippine island beach trip to Pamilacan Island in Bohol.

Speeding dolphins in the deep blue water near Bohol, Philippines

Three dolphins splashing in the bow wave of a dolphin watching boat in Bohol. Blue water Philippine island beach trip to Pamilacan Island in Bohol.

White sand beach, blue skies, and blue water in Bohol

A sun-bleached driftwood mangrove tree at the end of a while sand beach beside blue water on Pamilacan Island. Blue water Philippine island beach trip to Pamilacan Island in Bohol.

Caribbean blue water beside a white sand beach in Bohol

Blue water is not only in Boracay--a deserted white sand beach in Bohol without the Boracay crowds. Blue water Philippine island beach trip to Pamilacan Island in Bohol.

Dolphin jumping in clear blue water off the coast of Bohol

A spinner dolphin jumps in the deep blue water off the coast of Bohol. Blue water Philippine island beach trip to Pamilacan Island in Bohol.

White sand island beach, blue water, and driftwood in Bohol

Sun bleached mangrove tree on the white sand beach of Pamilacan Island. Blue water Philippine island beach trip to Pamilacan Island in Bohol.

Filipino kids playing on a white sand beach on Pamilacan Island

Filipino kids swimming beside the white sand beach of Pamilacan Island in Bohol. Blue water Philippine island beach trip to Pamilacan Island in Bohol.

Prow of handpainted 'bangka' sea kayak on a Beach in Bohol

Close up of the hand-painted prow of an outrigger 'bangka' sea kayak on Pamilacan Island. Blue water Philippine island beach trip to Pamilacan Island in Bohol.

Island ferry lands at the white sand beach on Pamilacan

A Filipino boatman landing an island ferry on the white sand beach of Pamilacan Island. Blue water Philippine island beach trip to Pamilacan Island in Bohol.

Dolphin splashing in deep blue water off the Bohol coast

Spinner dolphin jumping out of the deep blue water of the Bohol sea on a Pamilacan Island dolphin watching trip. Blue water Philippine island beach trip to Pamilacan Island in Bohol.

Blue water dolphins off the coast of Bohol

Spinner dolphins play in the bow wave of an outrigger pump boat; Pamilacan Island, Bohol, Philippines. During the 1990's the Philippine government enacted strict laws to prevent the hunting of endangered marine animals. In response, the World Wildlife Fund introduced the alternative livelihood of conducting dolphin and whale watching ecotours to the Pamilacan Island community. Hunters were converted to stewards of these threatened marine animals.

Blue water island ferry from Bohol on a white sand beach

A white 'pump boat' island ferry anchored on the white sand beach of Pamilacan. Blue water Philippine island beach trip to Pamilacan Island in Bohol.

Filipino boy paddling an outrigger 'bangka' sea kayak in Bohol

A Filipino boy from Pamilacan Island paddling a 'bangka' sea kayak across the shallow water beside the white sand beach. Blue water Philippine island beach trip to Pamilacan Island in Bohol.

Spinner dolphin swimming against a background of deep blue sea

Close up of a spinner dolphin swimming in the deep blue Bohol sea beside an island ferry boat. Blue water Philippine island beach trip to Pamilacan Island in Bohol.

Dolphin swimming against a background of deep blue sea

Portrait of a spinner dolphin swimming in clear blue water on a dolphin watching trip to Pamilacan Island. Blue water Philippine island beach trip to Pamilacan Island in Bohol.

Three spinner dolphins swimming in the deep blue sea

A pod of three spinner dolphins swimming in the deep blue Bohol Sea beside a ferry boat. Blue water Philippine island beach trip to Pamilacan Island in Bohol.

Philippine 'bangka' sea kayak anchored in clear blue water

An outrigger 'bangka' boat anchored in clear blue water on the Pamilacan Island beach. Blue water Philippine island beach trip to Pamilacan Island in Bohol.

Spinner dolphin jumping out of blue water

A spinner dolphin jumping out of the blue Bohol Sea beside an island ferry boat. Blue water Philippine island beach trip to Pamilacan Island in Bohol.

Pamilacan Island boy paddling a 'bangka' sea kayak across blue w

A Filipino boy from Pamilacan Island paddling an outrigger 'bangka' sea kayak across blue water near the white sand beach on the island. Blue water Philippine island beach trip to Pamilacan Island in Bohol.

White sand beach, blue water, and driftwood in Bohol

A sun-bleached, driftwood mangrove tree on a white sand beach beside blue water on Pamilacan Island. Blue water Philippine island beach trip to Pamilacan Island in Bohol.

Dolphins swimming in the deep blue sea off the coast of Bohol

A pod of four dolpins swimming in the deep blue water of the Bohol Sea on the trip to Pamilacan Island. Blue water Philippine island beach trip to Pamilacan Island in Bohol.

Blue water island hopping trip from Bohol, Philippines

An island hopping boat passes Caribbean blue water on the way to the Pamilacan Island beach in Bohol. Blue water Philippine island beach trip to Pamilacan Island in Bohol.

White sand Philippine Island beach in Bohol

Sunny day on the white sand beach on Pamilacan Island in Bohol. Blue water Philippine island beach trip to Pamilacan Island in Bohol.

Filipino fisherman sorting small fish in a net on Pamilacan Isla

A Filipino fisherman emptying a net of small fish beside the white sand beach on Pamilacan Island. Blue water Philippine island beach trip to Pamilacan Island in Bohol.

Spinner dolphin swimming in deep blue water off the coast of Boh

A pair of spinner dolphins swimming underwater beside a ferry boat from Bohol. Blue water Philippine island beach trip to Pamilacan Island in Bohol.

Dolphin watching trip to Pamilacan Island in Bohol, Philippines

The dorsal fin of a spinner dolphin breaks the surface as it jumps out of the deep blue water of the Bohol Sea. Blue water Philippine island beach trip to Pamilacan Island in Bohol.

Boracay white sand island beach in Bohol

Boracay blue water and a white sand beach in Bohol--without the Boracay crowds. Blue water Philippine island beach trip to Pamilacan Island in Bohol.

Ruins of old Spanish fort beside blue water on Pamilacan Island

The crumbling ruins of an old Spanish garrison turret on the beach at Pamilacan Island used to guard the entrance to Tagbilaran during the colonial period. Blue water Philippine island beach trip to Pamilacan Island in Bohol.

Sun bleached driftwood tree on a white sand beach

A sun-bleached mangrove driftwood tree on a white sand beach beside blue water in Bohol. Blue water Philippine island beach trip to Pamilacan Island in Bohol.

Filipino fishermen unloading their catch in Bohol

Two Filipino fishermen empty their net full of tiny fish on the white sand beach of Pamilacan Island. Blue water Philippine island beach trip to Pamilacan Island in Bohol.

Spinner dolphins playing in the bow wave of a ferry

A dolphin jumps out of the blue water of the Bohol Sea on an island hopping trip in the Philippines. Blue water Philippine island beach trip to Pamilacan Island in Bohol.

Boracay blue water and white sand beach in Bohol

Caribbean blue water on a deserted white sand beach in Bohol. Blue water Philippine island beach trip to Pamilacan Island in Bohol.

Dolphin watching trip to Pamilacan Island in Bohol

A pod of dolphins speeding through the blue water of the Bohol Sea on a dolphin watching trip.

Philippine island beach beside blue water in Bohol

The white sand beach on Pamilacan Island. Blue water Philippine island beach trip to Pamilacan Island in Bohol.

Caribbean blue water background beside a white sand beach in Boh

Perfectly clear blue water surrounds the deserted white sand beach on Pamilacan Island. Blue water Philippine island beach trip to Pamilacan Island in Bohol.

Philippine island white sand beach in Bohol

A sun-bleached mangrove tree stands on the white sand beach of Pamilacan Island. Blue water Philippine island beach trip to Pamilacan Island in Bohol.

Philippine island ferry boats anchored on Pamilacan Island

Ferry boats anchored beside the white sand beach of Pamilacan Island. Blue water Philippine island beach trip to Pamilacan Island in Bohol.

Spinner dolphins swimming in the bow wave of a ferry

A pod of spinner dolphins plays in the bow wave of an island ferry boat in the deep blue Bohol Sea. Blue water Philippine island beach trip to Pamilacan Island in Bohol.

Blue water snorkeling on a white sand beach in Bohol

A snorkeler swims in the clear blue shallows beside the white sand beach of Pamilacan Island. Blue water Philippine island beach trip to Pamilacan Island in Bohol.

Blue water sea kayak paddling in Bohol

A Filipino boy from Pamilacan Island paddling an outrigger 'bangka' sea kayak away from the white sand beach. Blue water Philippine island beach trip to Pamilacan Island in Bohol.

Caribbean blue water background on a white sand beach in Bohol

Clear Caribbean blue water surrounds the white sand beach of Pamilacan Island. Blue water Philippine island beach trip to Pamilacan Island in Bohol.

Philippine island beach trip to Bohol

An island ferry boat anchored on the white sand beach of Pamilacan Island. Blue water Philippine island beach trip to Pamilacan Island in Bohol.

Spinner dolphin swimming in deep blue water near Pamilacan

A spinner dolphin swims in clear blue water in front of a ferry boat from Baclayon to Pamilacan. Blue water Philippine island beach trip to Pamilacan Island in Bohol.

Clear blue water beside a white sand island beach; Philippines

A ferry boat anchored at the white sand beach of Pamilacan Island in Bohol. Blue water Philippine island beach trip to Pamilacan Island in Bohol.

Island ferry boat anchored in blue water beside an island beach

An island ferry boat from Baclayon near Tagbilaran City is anchored in clear blue water beside the Pamilacan Island beach. Blue water Philippine island beach trip to Pamilacan Island in Bohol.

Tropical Caribbean blue water background in Bohol

A perfectcly clear background of blue water beside the Pamilacan Island beach. Blue water Philippine island beach trip to Pamilacan Island in Bohol.

Blue water Philippine island beach in Bohol

Island hopping trip to the perfect white sand beach on Pamilacan Island. Blue water Philippine island beach trip to Pamilacan Island in Bohol.

Island ferry boat returning to Bohol, Philippines

Returning to Tagbilaran on the Baclayon ferry from Pamilacan. Blue water Philippine island beach trip to Pamilacan Island in Bohol.

Blue water Philippine island ferry boat beside white sand beach

An outrigger 'pump boat' island ferry anchored in blue water beside a white sand beach. Blue water Philippine island beach trip to Pamilacan Island in Bohol.

A camel races across golden desert sand dunes in western India

Camel racing across the dunes of the Great Thar desert; Rajasthan, India. Camel trekking in the Great Thar desert near Jaisalmer; Rajasthan, India.

Jaisalmer camel driver in the Great Thar Desert, India

Rajasthani camel driver with a bright orange turban and a sand dune background in western India. Camel trekking in the Great Thar desert near Jaisalmer; Rajasthan, India.

Yellow sand dunes of the Great Thar desert in Rajasthan near Pak

Rajasthani camel driver leading a desert camel trekker across the golden dunes near the border of Pakistan in western India. Camel trekking in the Great Thar desert near Jaisalmer; Rajasthan, India.

Angry camel near Jaisalmer in Rajasthan, India

Braying camel at sunset in western India. Camel trekking in the Great Thar desert near Jaisalmer; Rajasthan, India.

Camel trekking across the dunes of the Great Thar desert in Raja

Rajasthani camel driver leading a tourist across the golden dunes of the desert in western India near Pakistan. Camel trekking in the Great Thar desert near Jaisalmer; Rajasthan, India.

Biting camel in the Great Thar desert near Jaisalmer, Rajasthan

Portrait of an angry camel in the desert of western India near Pakistan. Camel trekking in the Great Thar desert near Jaisalmer; Rajasthan, India.

Desert sunset in Rajasthan near Jaisalmer

Orange desert sunset over the dunes and scrubby bushes in western India near Pakistan. Camel trekking in the Great Thar desert near Jaisalmer; Rajasthan, India.

Camel trek across the dunes of the Great Thar desert in Rajastha

Single camel crossing the rolling dune sea of the golden desert in western India near Pakistan. Camel trekking in the Great Thar desert near Jaisalmer; Rajasthan, India.

Camel driver portrait in the Great Thar Desert near Jaisalmer

Portrait of a Rajasthani camel driver with a bright orange turban against a background of sand dunes in western India. Camel trekking in the Great Thar desert near Jaisalmer; Rajasthan, India.

Camel and desert sand dunes near Jaisalmer in Rajasthan, India

Camel resting on the sand of the golden dunes in western India near the Pakistani border. Camel trekking in the Great Thar desert near Jaisalmer; Rajasthan, India.

Jaisalmer camel tour in the Great Thar desert in Rajasthan

Tourist smiling with his camel on a trekking tour of the desert in western India near Pakistan. Camel trekking in the Great Thar desert near Jaisalmer; Rajasthan, India.

Jaisalmer desert portrait in Rajasthan, India

Portrait of a Indian desert camel driver with a bright orange turban against a background of dunes in western India. Camel trekking in the Great Thar desert near Jaisalmer; Rajasthan, India.

Sunset over the Great Thar Desert in Rajasthan, India

Orange desert sunset in western India near the border with Pakistan. Camel trekking in the Great Thar desert near Jaisalmer; Rajasthan, India.

Rajasthani camel tour in the Great Thar Desert near Jaisalmer

Three camels resting on the sand dunes of the desert in western India near Pakistan. Camel trekking in the Great Thar desert near Jaisalmer; Rajasthan, India.

Biting camel in the Great Thar desert of Rajasthan, India

Camel biting a camel driver on the golden dunes of the desert in western India near Pakistan. Camel trekking in the Great Thar desert near Jaisalmer; Rajasthan, India.

Rajasthani camel driver in the Thar Desert near Jaisalmer

Rajasthani camel driver with a bright orange turban at sunset near the border with Pakistan in western India. Camel trekking in the Great Thar desert near Jaisalmer; Rajasthan, India.

Rajasthani camel drivers in the Great Thar Desert, India

Smiling camel in the desert of western India near the border with Pakistan. Camel trekking in the Great Thar desert near Jaisalmer; Rajasthan, India.

Desert camel trek near Jaisalmer in Rajasthan, India

Camel and golden sand dunes in the desert of western India near the Pakistani border. Camel trekking in the Great Thar desert near Jaisalmer; Rajasthan, India

Camel driver and camel in the Great Thar Desert; Rajasthan, Indi

Rajasthani camel driver with his smiling camel in the desert of western India near Pakistan. Camel trekking in the Great Thar desert near Jaisalmer; Rajasthan, India.

Desert camel and camel driver near Jaisalmer in Rajasthan, India

Close up portrait of a desert camel and its camel driver in the desert of western India near Pakistan. Camel trekking in the Great Thar desert near Jaisalmer; Rajasthan, India

Camel trekking in the Great Thar Desert near Jaisalmer, India

Rajasthani camel driver with a bright orange turban poses with his camel in the desert of western India near the Pakistani border. Camel trekking in the Great Thar desert near Jaisalmer; Rajasthan, India.

Desert camel tour near Jaisalmer, Rajasthan

Tourists riding camels across the desert dunes in western India near the border with Pakistan. Camel trekking in the Great Thar desert near Jaisalmer; Rajasthan, India.

Camel trekking in the Great Thar desert near Jaisalmer, India

Camel's eye view of the desert dunes in western India. Camel trekking in the Great Thar desert near Jaisalmer; Rajasthan, India

Camel driver and sand dunes near Jaisalmer, Rajasthan

Rajasthani man with an orange turban posing with a background of desert sand dunes in western India near the Pakistani border. Camel trekking in the Great Thar desert near Jaisalmer; Rajasthan, India.

Desert night in the Thar desert near Jaisalmer

Desert night on the sand dunes in western India near the border with Pakistan. Camel trekking in the Great Thar desert near Jaisalmer; Rajasthan, India.

Desert sand dunes at night near Jaisalmer in Rajasthan, India

Desert moonrise over the sand dunes of western India near Pakistan. Camel trekking in the Great Thar desert near Jaisalmer; Rajasthan, India.

Desert camel tour in Rajasthan, India near Jaisalmer

Rajasthani desert camel driver with an orange turban at sunset in western India near the Pakistan border. Camel trekking in the Great Thar desert near Jaisalmer; Rajasthan, India.

Lone camel crossing the dune sea of the desert near the Pakistan

Sand dunes of the Great Thar desert near Jaisalmer; Rajasthan, India. Camel trekking in the Great Thar desert near Jaisalmer; Rajasthan, India.

Camel portrait in the Great Thar desert near Jaisalmer, Rajastha

Desert camel portrait with a background of golden sand dunes in western India. Camel trekking in the Great Thar desert near Jaisalmer; Rajasthan, India

Camel trekking tour in the desert outside Jaisalmer, India

Rajasthani women watching a passing desert camel trek from the sand dunes in western India. Camel trekking in the Great Thar desert near Jaisalmer; Rajasthan, India.

Camel driver and camel in the desert outside Jaisalmer, India

Camel driver and his camel on the golden desert sand of western India. Camel trekking in the Great Thar desert near Jaisalmer; Rajasthan, India.

Desert camel trekking across the dunes of the Great Thar desert,

Two camels on the golden sand of the desert in western India near Pakistan. Camel trekking in the Great Thar desert near Jaisalmer; Rajasthan, India.

Camel trek across the dunes of the Great Thar desert near Jaisal

Three camels climb a steep golden sand dune in western India. Camel trekking in the Great Thar desert near Jaisalmer; Rajasthan, India.

Clown fish close-up - Underwater photography

Underwater photography portrait of a clown fish living near the Apo Island Marine Sanctuary; Oriental Negros province, Dauin, near Dumaguete City, Philippines. The ocellaris variety of clown fish (Amphiprion ocellaris) is closely related to the Orange Clown fish (Amphiprion percula) often lives in association with the sea anemone Heteractis magnifica.

Underwater photography - Clown Fish City

Underwater photography from the "Clown Fish City" where thousands of tropical clown fish live inside the Apo Island Marine Sanctuary; Oriental Negros province, Dauin, near Dumaguete City, Philippines. The Clown Fish CIty is still one of my favorite spots to take underwater photos of clown fish when diving or snorkeling Apo Island.

Tropical fish underwater photography - Nemo Clown fish

Close up underwater photograph of a "Finding Nemo" fish from the Apo Island Marine Sanctuary; Oriental Negros province, Dauin, near Dumaguete City, Philippines. The ocellaris variety of clown fish (Amphiprion ocellaris) is closely related to the Orange Clown fish (Amphiprion percula) and often lives in association with the sea anemone Heteractis magnifica.

Tropical fish underwater photography - clown fish

Underwater photography of "Nemo" clown fish living near the Apo Island Marine Sanctuary; Oriental Negros province, Dauin, near Dumaguete City, Philippines. The ocellaris variety of clown fish (Amphiprion ocellaris) is closely related to the Orange Clown fish (Amphiprion percula) and often lives in association with the sea anemone Heteractis magnifica.

Apo Island Clown fish family - Scuba diving the Philippines

Underwater photography of a clown fish family living inside the Apo Island Marine Sanctuary; Oriental Negros province, Dauin, near Dumaguete City, Philippines. The ocellaris variety of clown fish (Amphiprion ocellaris) is closely related to the Orange Clown fish (Amphiprion percula) and often lives in association with the sea anemone Heteractis magnifica.

Philippines Scuba Diving - Clown Fish City

Underwater photography from diving the Apo Island Marine Sanctuary "Clown Fish City"; Oriental Negros province, Dauin, near Dumaguete City, Philippines. The "Clown Fish City" is a section of coral reef in the Apo Island Marine Sanctuary that is home to thousands of clown fish (mostly the tomato clown fish variety (Amphiprion frenatus) which is also known as the bridled clownfish, red clownfish, or tomato anemonefish). The Clown Fish City is one of the most popular dive sites at Apo.

Apo Island Clown fish family - Coral Reef Pictures

Clown fish family from diving the Apo Island Marine Sanctuary; Oriental Negros province, Dauin, near Dumaguete City, Philippines. The ocellaris variety of clown fish (Amphiprion ocellaris) is closely related to the Orange Clown fish (Amphiprion percula) and often lives in association with the sea anemone Heteractis magnifica.

Traditional Tibetan house in Ladakh; Jammu and Kashmir, India

Traditional Tibetan house in the desolate Himalayas of Ladakh, northern India. Trekking the Himalayan valley of Likir village in Ladakh near Leh; Jammu and Kashmir, India.

Ladakhi boy riding a bike at a Himalayan village; Jammu and Kash

A Tibetan boy riding his bike towards the Klu-kkhyil Gompa and Tibetan Buddhist monastery in the Himalayan mountains of Ladakh in northern India. Trekking the Himalayan valley of Likir village in Ladakh near Leh; Jammu and Kashmir, India.

Himalayan alpenglow view from a small Ladakhi village in India

Himalayan mountain alpenglow on a peak near the Tibetan village of Likir in northern India. Trekking the Himalayan valley of Likir village in Ladakh near Leh; Jammu and Kashmir, India.

Starry night in a Himalayan village in Ladakh; Jammu and Kashmir

A starry night in the Himalayas at a traditional Tibetan Buddhist house in Ladakh, northern India. Trekking the Himalayan valley of Likir village in Ladakh near Leh; Jammu and Kashmir, India.

Himalayan mountain sunset with alpenglow in Ladakh, Northern Ind

Himalayan alpenglow on a mountain peak in Ladakh, northern India. Trekking the Himalayan valley of Likir village in Ladakh near Leh; Jammu and Kashmir, India.

Local bus trip to Likir village in Jammu and Kashmir, India

Kris waits for the local bus to arrive in Likir village in Ladakh, northern India. Trekking the Himalayan valley of Likir village in Ladakh near Leh; Jammu and Kashmir, India.

Himalayan alpenglow from a village in Ladakh, Northern India

Orange Himalayan alpenglow on a peak near the Tibetan village of Likir in Ladakh, northern India. Trekking the Himalayan valley of Likir village in Ladakh near Leh; Jammu and Kashmir, India.

Himalayan village trekking in the mountains of Jammu and Kashmir

Kris and Kristen walking through the Himalayan village of Likir. Trekking the Himalayan valley of Likir village in Ladakh near Leh; Jammu and Kashmir, India.

Traditional Ladakhi house; Jammu and Kashmir, India

A traditional Tibetan house with a thatched roof in Ladakh, northern India. Trekking the Himalayan valley of Likir village in Ladakh near Leh; Jammu and Kashmir, India.

Tibetan prayer flags at sunset in Ladakh; Jammu and Kashmir, Ind

Tibetan prayer flags at sunset in the Himalayan village of Likir. Trekking the Himalayan valley of Likir village in Ladakh near Leh; Jammu and Kashmir, India.

Himalayan village trekking in Ladakh; Jammu and Kashmir, India

Kris and Kristen walk towards the towering Himalayan mountain peaks of Ladakh in northern India. Trekking the Himalayan valley of Likir village in Ladakh near Leh; Jammu and Kashmir, India.

Tibetan boy at a Himalayan village in Ladakh; Jammu and Kashmir,

A Tibetan boy from Likir village smiles for the camera near the Klu-kkhyil Gompa and Tibetan monastery. Trekking the Himalayan valley of Likir village in Ladakh near Leh; Jammu and Kashmir, India.

Tibetan house in Ladakh; Jammu and Kashmir, India

Traditional Tibetan house with a thatched roof in Ladakh, northern India. Trekking the Himalayan valley of Likir village in Ladakh near Leh; Jammu and Kashmir, India.

Ladakhi village daily life; Jammu and Kashmir, India

A Tibetan man loaded with a bundle of grass from the fields walks with his donkey through the streets of Likir village in Ladakh. Trekking the Himalayan valley of Likir village in Ladakh near Leh; Jammu and Kashmir, India.

Himalayan mountain trekking at a village in Ladakh; Jammu and Ka

Himalayan mountain peaks tower above the Likir village near Leh, northern India. Trekking the Himalayan valley of Likir village in Ladakh near Leh; Jammu and Kashmir, India.

Tibetan Buddhist stupa at a small village in Ladakh; Jammu and K

A Tibetan Buddhist stupa located in the Himalayan valley near Likir village in Ladakh, northern India. Trekking the Himalayan valley of Likir village in Ladakh near Leh; Jammu and Kashmir, India.

Himalayan village trekking in Ladakh, Northern India

Kris and Kristen hike the local road in the village of Likir in Ladakh, northern India. Trekking the Himalayan valley of Likir village in Ladakh near Leh; Jammu and Kashmir, India.

Tibetan Himalayan village trekking in Ladakh; Jammu and Kashmir,

Desolate Himalayan road in the valley near Likir village in Ladakh, northern India. Trekking the Himalayan valley of Likir village in Ladakh near Leh; Jammu and Kashmir, India.

Himalayan village in Ladakh; Jammu and Kashmir, India

Small brick hut near the village of Likir in Ladakh, northern India. Trekking the Himalayan valley of Likir village in Ladakh near Leh; Jammu and Kashmir, India.

'Bob Marley' the sheepdog with dreadlocks in India

A shaggy sheepdog with thick fur 'dreadlocks' that we nicknamed 'Bob Marley' in a Tibetan village in Ladakh, northern India. Trekking the Himalayan valley of Likir village in Ladakh near Leh; Jammu and Kashmir, India.

Traditional Ladakhi house near Leh; Jammu and Kashmir, India

Detail photo of a traditional Tibetan house in a small Himalayan village in Ladakh, northern India. Trekking the Himalayan valley of Likir village in Ladakh near Leh; Jammu and Kashmir, India.

Ladakhi village daily life near Leh; Jammu and Kashmir, India

A Tibetan man hikes the desolate Himalayan road with his donkey heavily-laden with grass. Trekking the Himalayan valley of Likir village in Ladakh near Leh; Jammu and Kashmir, India.

Tibetan Buddhist prayer flags at a house in Ladakh, India

Red, white, green, yellow, and blue Tibetan prayer flags on the roof of a traditional Tibetan house in the village of Likir. Trekking the Himalayan valley of Likir village in Ladakh near Leh; Jammu and Kashmir, India.

Donkey trekking in a Himalayan mountain village; Jammu and Kashm

A Ladakhi man walking the Himalayan village road with his pack mules. Trekking the Himalayan valley of Likir village in Ladakh near Leh; Jammu and Kashmir, India.

Traditional Tibetan house at a Himalayan village in Jammu and Ka

Exterior view of a traditional Tibetan house with prayer flags on the roof in Ladakh, northern India. Trekking the Himalayan valley of Likir village in Ladakh near Leh; Jammu and Kashmir, India.

Himalayan summer at a Ladakhi village; Jammu and Kashmir, India

Fertile Himalayan valley in Likir village in Ladakh, northern India. Trekking the Himalayan valley of Likir village in Ladakh near Leh; Jammu and Kashmir, India.

Traditional Tibetan house at a Ladakhi village in Jammu and Kash

A traditional Tibetan Buddhist house in Ladakh with clear blue skies overhead. Trekking the Himalayan valley of Likir village in Ladakh near Leh; Jammu and Kashmir, India.

Alpenglow on a Himalayan mountain in Ladakh; Jammu and Kashmir,

Orange alpenglow on Himalayan mountains towering above Likir village in Ladakh, northern India. Trekking the Himalayan valley of Likir village in Ladakh near Leh; Jammu and Kashmir, India.

Himalayan village in Ladakh; Jammu and Kashmir, India

A traditional Tibetan Buddhist house in a Himalayan valley of Ladakh, northern India. Trekking the Himalayan valley of Likir village in Ladakh near Leh; Jammu and Kashmir, India.

Himalayan alpenglow at a Ladakhi village in India

Alpenglow sunset on a Himalayan peak in Ladakh, northern India. Trekking the Himalayan valley of Likir village in Ladakh near Leh; Jammu and Kashmir, India.

Himalayan alpenglow sunset at a village in Ladakh; Jammu and Kas

Orange Himalayan alpenglow sunset on a peak in Ladakh, northern India. Trekking the Himalayan valley of Likir village in Ladakh near Leh; Jammu and Kashmir, India.

Alpenglow sunset on the Himalayas in Ladakh, India

Orange alpenglow sunset on the Himalayan peaks with white clouds overhead in Ladakh, northern India. Trekking the Himalayan valley of Likir village in Ladakh near Leh; Jammu and Kashmir, India.

Himalayan Tibetan monastery in Ladakh; Jammu and Kashmir, India

Himalayan panoramic view of the Klu-kkhyil Gompa and Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Ladakh, northern India. Trekking the Himalayan valley of Likir village in Ladakh near Leh; Jammu and Kashmir, India.

Exploring a Tibetan mountain village in Ladakh; Jammu and Kashmi

Kris and Kristen take the local road towards the Himalayan mountain peaks towering above Likir village in Ladakh, northern India. Trekking the Himalayan valley of Likir village in Ladakh near Leh; Jammu and Kashmir, India.

Sunflower and Himalayan mountain sunset in Ladakh, Northern Indi

Himalayan sunflowers growing in the village of Likir in Ladakh, northern India. Trekking the Himalayan valley of Likir village in Ladakh near Leh; Jammu and Kashmir, India.

Dark Himalayan mountains at a village in Ladakh, Northern India

Dark clouds above the Himalayan mountain valley near Likir village in Ladakh, India. Trekking the Himalayan valley of Likir village in Ladakh near Leh; Jammu and Kashmir, India.

Orange alpenglow at a small village in Ladakh; Jammu and Kashmir

Himalayan mountains glowing red with alpenglow near the Tibetan village of Likir in Ladakh, northern India. Trekking the Himalayan valley of Likir village in Ladakh near Leh; Jammu and Kashmir, India.

Tibetan momo's for dinner at a village in Ladakh; Jammu and Kash

A dinner of Tibetan momo's at a traditional Tibetan house in the village of Likir in Ladakh, northern India. Trekking the Himalayan valley of Likir village in Ladakh near Leh; Jammu and Kashmir, India.

Himalayan sunrise at a mountain camp in Ladakh, India

Himalayan sunrise at an overnight tent camp along the mountain highway in northern India. Himalayan mountain jeep crossing from Manali to Leh in Ladakh; Jammu and Kashmir, India.

Bulldozer damming a flooded Himalayan river on the road to Ladak

An Indian Army officer directs a yellow bulldozer up to its treads in a raging Himalayan river during a flood that washed out the mountain highway to Leh in northern India. Himalayan mountain jeep crossing from Manali to Leh in Ladakh; Jammu and Kashmir, India.

Himalayan river crossing to reach Leh; Ladakh, India

Kris looks down from a Himalayan mountain pass while trekking across a section of flooded river that destroyed the highway to Leh in northern India. Himalayan mountain jeep crossing from Manali to Leh in Ladakh; Jammu and Kashmir, India.

Bulldozer in a Himalayan flood in Ladakh, India

An Indian Army officer attempts to direct the emergency repair of the Himalayan highway to Leh that was destroyed by severe flooding in northern India. Himalayan mountain jeep crossing from Manali to Leh in Ladakh; Jammu and Kashmir, India.

Mountain view in northern India on the Himalayan highway from Ma

Himalayan mountain slopes, blue skies and white clouds on the highway to Leh in northern India. Himalayan mountain jeep crossing from Manali to Leh in Ladakh; Jammu and Kashmir, India.

Himalayan jeeps loaded for the trip to Leh in Ladakh, India

Four wheel drive jeeps crossing the second highest mountain pass in the world to reach Leh in northern India. Himalayan mountain jeep crossing from Manali to Leh in Ladakh; Jammu and Kashmir, India.

Himalayan liquor shop on the highway from Manali to Leh, India

Himalayan liquor shop on the high country highway to Leh in northern India. Himalayan mountain jeep crossing from Manali to Leh in Ladakh; Jammu and Kashmir, India.

Himalayan outpost village on the road to Leh in Ladakh, India

Ladakhi dog resting at the crossroads of the Himalayan highway to Leh in northern India. Himalayan mountain jeep crossing from Manali to Leh in Ladakh; Jammu and Kashmir, India.

Himalayan high country camp on the highway from Leh to Manali, I

Himalayan high country outpost in the barren steppe of northern India in Ladakh. Himalayan mountain jeep crossing from Manali to Leh in Ladakh; Jammu and Kashmir, India.

Tata cargo lorry on the Himalayan highway from Leh to Manali, In

A Tata freight lorry loaded with goods navigates the narrow Himalayan highway in northern India. Himalayan mountain jeep crossing from Manali to Leh in Ladakh; Jammu and Kashmir, India.

Bridge damage on the Himalayan highway from Leh to Manali, India

Kris and Kristen wait for the heavy steel plates of a Himalayan mountain bridge are repaired after a heavily loaded Tata lorry bent them out of place. Himalayan mountain jeep crossing from Manali to Leh in Ladakh; Jammu and Kashmir, India.

Himalayan local bus trip to Leh in Ladahk, northern India

Kris and Kristen on the local Ladakhi bus to Leh in northern India. Himalayan mountain jeep crossing from Manali to Leh in Ladakh; Jammu and Kashmir, India.

Bridge damage on the Himalayan highway; Ladakh, India

Enfield motorcycle and Tata lorry waiting for a Himalayan highway bridge to be repaired in Ladakh, northern India. Himalayan mountain jeep crossing from Manali to Leh in Ladakh; Jammu and Kashmir, India.

Repairing a damaged Himalayan highway bridge near Leh, India

Repairing the steel plates of a damaged Himalayan mountain bridge on the highway to Leh in northern India. Himalayan mountain jeep crossing from Manali to Leh in Ladakh; Jammu and Kashmir, India.

Repairing a damaged Himalayan highway bridge in Ladakh, India

Dragging heavy steel plates to repair a Himalayan mountain bridge on the highway from Leh in northern India. Himalayan mountain jeep crossing from Manali to Leh in Ladakh; Jammu and Kashmir, India.

Himalayan rock formation on the road to Ladakh, India

Himalayan rock formation on the highway to Leh in northern India. Himalayan mountain jeep crossing from Manali to Leh in Ladakh; Jammu and Kashmir, India.

Himalayan pack mules on the highway in Ladakh, India

Pack mules along the Himalayan highway to Leh in Ladakh, northern India. Himalayan mountain jeep crossing from Manali to Leh in Ladakh; Jammu and Kashmir, India.

Himalayan high altitude highway from Leh to Manali, India

Narrow Himalayan highway to Ladakh in northern India. Himalayan mountain jeep crossing from Manali to Leh in Ladakh; Jammu and Kashmir, India.

Himalayan outpost on the route to Ladakh in northern India

Himalyan outpost on the mountain highway to Leh in northern India. Himalayan mountain jeep crossing from Manali to Leh in Ladakh; Jammu and Kashmir, India.

Himalayan mountain pass crossing in a Jeep; Ladakh, India

Four wheel drive jeeps attempt to climb the steep mountain highway to Leh during a torrential Himalayan rain storm. Himalayan mountain jeep crossing from Manali to Leh in Ladakh; Jammu and Kashmir, India.

Crossing the Himalayas in a jeep on the way to Ladakh, India

Himalayan mountain morning in a four wheel drive jeep on the highway to Leh in northern India. Himalayan mountain jeep crossing from Manali to Leh in Ladakh; Jammu and Kashmir, India.

Himalayan high country valley crossing in a Jeep from Leh to Man

Crossing the high plains of the Himalayan steppe in Ladakh, northern India by four wheel drive jeep. Himalayan mountain jeep crossing from Manali to Leh in Ladakh; Jammu and Kashmir, India.

Himalayan mountain camp at night in Ladakh, India

Himalayan mountain night with the moon and stars above glowing tents on the mountain highway to Leh in northern India. Himalayan mountain jeep crossing from Manali to Leh in Ladakh; Jammu and Kashmir, India.

Himalayan camping on the way to Leh; Ladakh, India

Kris and Kristen try to get some sleep in a Himalayan tent on the mountain highway to Leh in northern India. Himalayan mountain jeep crossing from Manali to Leh in Ladakh; Jammu and Kashmir, India.

Himalayan sheep clear the highway on the road from Leh to Manali

White and black sheep scatter in front of a four wheel drive jeep on the Himalayan highway to Leh in northern India. Himalayan mountain jeep crossing from Manali to Leh in Ladakh; Jammu and Kashmir, India.

Jaisalmer sunset over a haveli at the fort, Rajasthan

Rajasthani man watching the sunset from the roof of a haveli inside the Jaisalmer Fort. Exploring the Jaisalmer Fort in the desert of Rajasthan in western India.

Detail of a sandstone haveli window at the Jaisalmer Fort in Raj

Detail of an intricately-carved sandstone window from a haveli inside the Jaisalmer Fort. Exploring the Jaisalmer Fort in the desert of Rajasthan in western India.

Indian musician playing the ravanta outside the Jaisalmer Fort,

Rajasthani boy playing the ravanta at the entrance to the Jaisalmer Fort. Exploring the Jaisalmer Fort in the desert of Rajasthan in western India.

Pidgeon in the sandstone wall of the Jaisalmer Fort: Rajasthan,

A pidgeon peers out of the sandstone wall of the Jaisalmer Fort. Exploring the Jaisalmer Fort in the desert of Rajasthan in western India.

Ravanta street musician outside the Jaisalmer Fort in Rajasthan,

Rajasthani man with a brightly-colored turban playing the ravanta at the entrance to the Jaisalmer Fort. Exploring the Jaisalmer Fort in the desert of Rajasthan in western India.

Indian artist working on a miniature painting in Rajasthan

Rajasthani artist painting the details of a traditional 'miniature painting' inside the Jaisalmer Fort. Exploring the Jaisalmer Fort in the desert of Rajasthan in western India.

Golden Triangle travel: Jaisalmer in Rajasthan

Golden houses and havelis carved from sandstone blocks in Jaisalmer. Exploring the Jaisalmer Fort in the desert of Rajasthan in western India.

Panorama of Jaisalmer desert Fort in Rajasthan, India

Moonrise over the Jaisalmer Fort at night in Rajasthan. Exploring the Jaisalmer Fort in the desert of Rajasthan in western India.

Rajasthani man with a push cart at the Jaisalmer Fort in India

Rajasthani man dragging a pushcart through the brick streets of the Jaisalmer Fort in Rajastan. Exploring the Jaisalmer Fort in the desert of Rajasthan in western India.

Palace guard at the Jaisalmer Fort in Rajasthan, India

Rajasthani guard at the Jaisalmer Fort in western India. Exploring the Jaisalmer Fort in the desert of Rajasthan in western India.

Indian desert sunset above Jaisalmer in Rajasthan

Spectacular orange and gold sunset view from the Jaisalmer Fort. Exploring the Jaisalmer Fort in the desert of Rajasthan in western India.

Portrait of a Rajasthani woman in a bright sari at Jaisalmer For

Rajasthani woman wearing a bright sari and a nose ring inside the Jaisalmer Fort. Exploring the Jaisalmer Fort in the desert of Rajasthan in western India.

Rajasthani puppets for sale outside the Jaisalmer Fort, India

Handmade Rajasthani puppets for sale on the street inside the Jaisalmer Fort. Exploring the Jaisalmer Fort in the desert of Rajasthan in western India.

Jaisalmer Fort in the Golden Triangle: Rajasthan travel

View of the Jaisalmer Fort turrets in Rajastan. Exploring the Jaisalmer Fort in the desert of Rajasthan in western India.

Carved sandstone window of haveli in Jaisalmer Fort, Rajasthan

Detail photo of an intricately-carved sandstone haveli window inside the Jaisalmer Fort. Exploring the Jaisalmer Fort in the desert of Rajasthan in western India.

Kids playing cricket in the streets of Jaisalmer, India

Indian kids playing cricket on the streets of the Jaisalmer Fort. Exploring the Jaisalmer Fort in the desert of Rajasthan in western India.

Desert sunset at the Jaisalmer Fort in Rajasthan, India

Spectacular desert sunset above a rooftop cafe inside the Jaisalmer Fort. Exploring the Jaisalmer Fort in the desert of Rajasthan in western India.

Desert sunset beside the Jaisalmer fort in Rajasthan, India

A bull with curved horns walks outside the Jaisalmer Fort at sunset. Exploring the Jaisalmer Fort in the desert of Rajasthan in western India.

Night market in Jaisalmer; Rajasthan, India

Busy night market outside the Jaisalmer Fort. Exploring the Jaisalmer Fort in the desert of Rajasthan in western India.

Night streets of the Jaisalmer Fort in Rajasthan

Autorickshaw leaving the Jaisalmer Fort at night. Exploring the Jaisalmer Fort in the desert of Rajasthan in western India.

Desert night at the Jaisalmer Fort in Rajasthan, India

Misty moonrise night at the Jaisalmer Fort. Exploring the Jaisalmer Fort in the desert of Rajasthan in western India.

Puppets for sale outside the Jaisalmer Fort in Rajasthan, India

Colorful Rajasthani puppets for sale on the streets of the Jaisalmer Fort. Exploring the Jaisalmer Fort in the desert of Rajasthan in western India.

Sandstone turret of Jaisalmer Fort in Rajasthan, India

A golden sandstone turret of the Jaisalmer Fort at sunset. Exploring the Jaisalmer Fort in the desert of Rajasthan in western India.

Indian women in bright saris outside Jaisalmer Fort, Rajasthan

Two Rajasthani women in brightly-colored saris smile for the camera outside the entrance to the Jaisalmer Fort. Exploring the Jaisalmer Fort in the desert of Rajasthan in western India.

Rajasthani woman with henna hand tattoo at the Jaisalmer Fort

A Rajasthani woman in a red sari shows off her henna hand tattoo at the entrance to the Jaisalmer Fort. Exploring the Jaisalmer Fort in the desert of Rajasthan in western India.

Detail of sandstone haveli at Jaisalmer Fort in Rajasthan, India

Close-up detail photo of the intricately carved sandstone flowers of a haveli inside the Jaisalmer Fort. Exploring the Jaisalmer Fort in the desert of Rajasthan in western India.

Cow traffic jam in India: Jaisalmer Fort in Rajasthan

A white bull blocks a busy street inside the Jaisalmer Fort. Exploring the Jaisalmer Fort in the desert of Rajasthan in western India.

Bright turbans for sale in Jaisalmer Fort; Rajasthan, India

Brilliantly-colored turbans for sale on the street inside the Jaisalmer Fort. Exploring the Jaisalmer Fort in the desert of Rajasthan in western India.

Rajasthani man playing the ravanta outside Jaisalmer Fort in Ind

An Indian man with a multi-colored turban playing the ravanta at the entrance to the Jaisalmer Fort. Exploring the Jaisalmer Fort in the desert of Rajasthan in western India.

Close up of Rajasthani henna hand tattoo at the Jaisalmer Fort

Close-up detail photo of a Rajasthani woman's hand covered with henna at the entrance to the Jaisalmer Fort. Exploring the Jaisalmer Fort in the desert of Rajasthan in western India.

Heavy wooden door of Jaisalmer Fort in Rajasthan, India

A heavy wooden door studded with spikes at the entrance to the maharaja's palace inside the Jaisalmer Fort. Exploring the Jaisalmer Fort in the desert of Rajasthan in western India.

Bull walking the narrow street of Jaisalmer Fort

Bulging bull walking the narrow streets inside the Jaisalmer sandstone Fort. Exploring the Jaisalmer Fort in the desert of Rajasthan in western India.

Cow outside the sandstone fort in Jaisalmer; Rajasthan, India

Portrait of a friendly cow outside the Jaisalmer Fort in India. Exploring the Jaisalmer Fort in the desert of Rajasthan in western India.

Golden desert sunset above Jaisalmer in Rajasthan

The desert sky glows orange and yellow with a great sunset over the city of Jaisalmer. Exploring the Jaisalmer Fort in the desert of Rajasthan in western India.

Cows on the street in India: Inside Jaisalmer Fort

Two cows walking the narrow streets of the Jaisalmer Fort. Exploring the Jaisalmer Fort in the desert of Rajasthan in western India.

Traffic on the narrow streets of Jaisalmer Fort, Rajasthan

Cow blocking traffic on the busy streets of the Jaisalmer Fort. Exploring the Jaisalmer Fort in the desert of Rajasthan in western India.

Desert fort in Jaisalmer: Golden Triangle travel

Jaisalmer Fort turrets overlook the densely-crowded sandstone houses of Jaisalmer city. Exploring the Jaisalmer Fort in the desert of Rajasthan in western India.

Rajasthan desert sunset in the Golden Triangle over Jaisalmer

A golden sunset in Rajastan over the Jaisalmer city, viewed from the Jaisalmer Fort. Exploring the Jaisalmer Fort in the desert of Rajasthan in western India.

Indian musicians play on the street outside Jaisalmer Fort in Ra

Rajasthani father and son playing the ravanta at the entrance to the Jaisalmer Fort. Exploring the Jaisalmer Fort in the desert of Rajasthan in western India.

Indian boy on the street in the Jaisalmer Fort; Rajasthan, India

Smiling Indian boy inside the Jaisalmer Fort. Exploring the Jaisalmer Fort in the desert of Rajasthan in western India.

Rajasthani boy at the Jaisalmer Fort in India

Squinting Indian boy inside the Jaisalmer Fort. Exploring the Jaisalmer Fort in the desert of Rajasthan in western India.

Autorickshaw inside Jaisalmer Fort; Rajasthan, India

An old Rajasthani man paying the taxi fare for an autorickshaw inside the Jaisalmer Fort. Exploring the Jaisalmer Fort in the desert of Rajasthan in western India.

Cricket in the streets of India; Jaisalmer, Rajasthan

Rajasthani kids playing cricket in the streets at the Jaisalmer Fort. Exploring the Jaisalmer Fort in the desert of Rajasthan in western India.

Golden Triangle sunset over Jaisalmer in Rajasthan

Last glow of sunset over the Jaisalmer city as viewed from the Jaisalmer Fort. Exploring the Jaisalmer Fort in the desert of Rajasthan in western India.

Window of Jaisalmer Fort haveli in Rajasthan, India

Rajasthani boy looking out the window of a Jaisalmer Fort haveli at sunset. Exploring the Jaisalmer Fort in the desert of Rajasthan in western India.

Night market in the Jaisalmer Fort in Rajasthan, India

Night market inside the Jaisalmer Fort. Exploring the Jaisalmer Fort in the desert of Rajasthan in western India.

Autorickshaw entering the Jaisalmer Fort at night

Jaisalmer Fort streets at night with an autorickshaw speeding by. Exploring the Jaisalmer Fort in the desert of Rajasthan in western India.

Panoramic view of Jaisalmer Fort in Rajasthan, India

Moonrise over the dusty streets outside the Jaisalmer Fort in India. Exploring the Jaisalmer Fort in the desert of Rajasthan in western India.

Golden Triangle travel: Jaisalmer Fort in Rajasthan

Sunset view from inside the Jaisalmer Fort. Exploring the Jaisalmer Fort in the desert of Rajasthan in western India.

Golden Triangle Tour: Jaisalmer Fort in Rajasthan, India

Jaisalmer Fort guard smiles for the camera at the entrance to the main fort. Exploring the Jaisalmer Fort in the desert of Rajasthan in western India.

Jaisalmer street musician outside the fort in Rajasthan, India

Rajasthani street musician playing the ravanta, a bowed, stringed instrument inside the Jaisalmer Fort. Exploring the Jaisalmer Fort in the desert of Rajasthan in western India.

Rajasthani women in bright saris outside the Jaisalmer Fort, Ind

Rajasthani women dressed in brightly-colored saris smile for the camera at the entrance to the Jaisalmer Fort. Exploring the Jaisalmer Fort in the desert of Rajasthan in western India.

Blue house at sunrise in Jodhpur, India

Indian boy on the roof of a bright blue house in Jodhpur at sunrise. Experiencing India's 'Blue City': Daily life and Rajasthani culture in Jodhpur, India.

Jodhpur sunset in Rajasthan, India

Orange sunset behind the blue houses of Jodhpur near the Jodhpur Fort. Experiencing India's 'Blue City': Daily life and Rajasthani culture in Jodhpur, India.

Life in Jodhpur; Rajasthan, India

Two Indian boys smiling for the camera in front of a blue house in Jodhpur. Experiencing India's 'Blue City': Daily life and Rajasthani culture in Jodhpur, India.

Blue paint bucket from a house in Jodhpur, India

A bucket of blue paint in front of the freshly-painted wall of a blue house in Jodhpur. Experiencing India's 'Blue City': Daily life and Rajasthani culture in Jodhpur, India.

Rajasthani boys outside their house in Jodhpur, India

Two Indian brothers smile for the camera in front of a blue house in Jodhpur. Experiencing India's 'Blue City': Daily life and Rajasthani culture in Jodhpur, India.

Blue rooftops across the city of Jodhpur in Rajasthan, India

Rajasthani women gossip on the roofs of their blue houses in Jodhpur, India. Experiencing India's 'Blue City': Daily life and Rajasthani culture in Jodhpur, India.

Blue doorway at a traditional house in Jodhpur; Rajasthan, India

Close up of a brightly-painted door in Jodhpur, India. Experiencing India's 'Blue City': Daily life and Rajasthani culture in Jodhpur, India.

Rajasthani woman laughing in Jodhpur, India

An Indian woman laughs in front of her blue house in Jodhpur, India. Experiencing India's 'Blue City': Daily life and Rajasthani culture in Jodhpur, India.

Portrait of an Indian woman in Jodhpur, Rajasthan

A Rajasthani girl smiles for the camera in front of a blue wall at her house in Jodhpur, India. Experiencing India's 'Blue City': Daily life and Rajasthani culture in Jodhpur, India.

Sunrise in Jodhpur, India

Grey sunrise over the blue houses in Jodhpur, India. Experiencing India's 'Blue City': Daily life and Rajasthani culture in Jodhpur, India.

Little boy blue on the roof of a house in Jodhpur, Rajasthan

A Rajasthani boy dressed in blue on the roof of his blue house in Jodhpur. Experiencing India's 'Blue City': Daily life and Rajasthani culture in Jodhpur, India.

Blue house and street scene in Jodhpur, India

Blue house with a Vespa parked in front; street scene of Jodhpur, India. Experiencing India's 'Blue City': Daily life and Rajasthani culture in Jodhpur, India.

Blue houses on the hill in Jodhpur, India

Densely-packed blue houses on the steep hills surrounding the Jodhpur Fort. Experiencing India's 'Blue City': Daily life and Rajasthani culture in Jodhpur, India.

Indian boy on the roof of a blue house in Jodhpur, Rajasthan

An Indian boy dressed in blue on the roof of his blue house in Jodhpur. Experiencing India's 'Blue City': Daily life and Rajasthani culture in Jodhpur, India.

Rajasthani kids pose in front of a blue wall in Jodhpur, India

Rajasthani kids laugh at the camera in front of their blue house in Jodhpur. Experiencing India's 'Blue City': Daily life and Rajasthani culture in Jodhpur, India.

Making homemade chapati bread in Jodhpur; Rajasthan, India

Rajasthani women baking handmade chapati bread at their blue house in Jodhpur. Experiencing India's 'Blue City': Daily life and Rajasthani culture in Jodhpur, India.

Rajasthani woman in front of a blue wall in Jodhpur, India

A Rajasthani woman in a red sari stands in front of the blue wall of her house in Jodhpur. Experiencing India's 'Blue City': Daily life and Rajasthani culture in Jodhpur, India.

Jodhpur women smile for the camera in Rajasthan, India

Two Rajasthani women standing in front of their blue house in Jodhpur. Experiencing India's 'Blue City': Daily life and Rajasthani culture in Jodhpur, India.

Jodhpur woman smiles for the camera in Rajasthan

An indian woman in a peach-colored sari opens the doors to her blue house in Jodhpur. Experiencing India's 'Blue City': Daily life and Rajasthani culture in Jodhpur, India.

Rajasthani family in Jodhpur, India

Indian women near a street market in Jodhpur. Experiencing India's 'Blue City': Daily life and Rajasthani culture in Jodhpur, India.

A girl from Jodhpur smiles for the camera in Rajasthan, India

An Indian girl smiling on the street in Jodhpur. Experiencing India's 'Blue City': Daily life and Rajasthani culture in Jodhpur, India.

Mother and daughter in Jodhpur; Rajasthan, India

A Rajasthani mother and daughter smile for the camera in front of their house in Jodhpur. Experiencing India's 'Blue City': Daily life and Rajasthani culture in Jodhpur, India.

Rajasthan sunset over Jodhpur, India

Sunset over the Jodhpur Fort and blue houses surrounding it. Experiencing India's 'Blue City': Daily life and Rajasthani culture in Jodhpur, India.

Father and baby in Jodhpur; Rajasthan, India

A Rajasthani father and baby in front of their blue house in Jodhpur. Experiencing India's 'Blue City': Daily life and Rajasthani culture in Jodhpur, India.

Painter painting a bright blue wall at a house in Jodhpur, India

A Rajasthani painter painting a bright blue wall at a house in Jodhpur. Experiencing India's 'Blue City': Daily life and Rajasthani culture in Jodhpur, India.

Rajasthani brothers smile for the camera in Jodhpur, India

Two Indian brothers smile for the camera near a busy street market in Jodhpur. Experiencing India's 'Blue City': Daily life and Rajasthani culture in Jodhpur, India.

Blue paint bucket from a house in Jodhpur; Rajasthan, India

Paint-spattered paint bucket of blue paint at a house in Jodhpur. Experiencing India's 'Blue City': Daily life and Rajasthani culture in Jodhpur, India.

Rajasthani boy eating an apple at a market in Jodhpur, India

A Rajasthani boy eating a green apple on the street near a Jodhpur street market. Experiencing India's 'Blue City': Daily life and Rajasthani culture in Jodhpur, India.

Rajasthani sunset over the city of Jodhpur, India

Rajasthani sunset over the blue houses of Jodhpur. Experiencing India's 'Blue City': Daily life and Rajasthani culture in Jodhpur, India.

Indian girl smiles for the camera in Jodhpur; Rajasthan, India

Smiling Indian girl with her family at their house in Jodhpur. Experiencing India's 'Blue City': Daily life and Rajasthani culture in Jodhpur, India.

Portrait of a woman in Jodhpur; Rajasthan, India

An Indian woman in a peach-colored sari smiles for the camera in front of her house in Jodhpur. Experiencing India's 'Blue City': Daily life and Rajasthani culture in Jodhpur, India.

Indian kid with a Ganesh mask in Jodhpur, Rajasthan

An Indian kid with a handmade Ganesh mask during the Ganesh festival in Jodhpur, India. Experiencing India's 'Blue City': Daily life and Rajasthani culture in Jodhpur, India.

Rajasthani girl smiles for the camera in Jodhpur, India

A young woman from Jodhpur smiling for the camera in front of the blue wall of her house in Jodhpur. Experiencing India's 'Blue City': Daily life and Rajasthani culture in Jodhpur, India.

Sunset over Jodhpur in Rajasthan, India

A golden sunset over the blue houses of Jodhpur near the Jodhpur Fort in India. Experiencing India's 'Blue City': Daily life and Rajasthani culture in Jodhpur, India.

Rajasthani woman doing laundry at her house in Jodhpur, India

A Rajasthani woman climbs the stairs to the roof of her blue house in Jodhpur to do her laundry. Experiencing India's 'Blue City': Daily life and Rajasthani culture in Jodhpur, India.

Jodhpur Fort at sunset in Rajasthan, India

Exterior view of the Jodhpur fort turrets with a flock of sparrows at sunset. Exploring the Jodhpur Fort inside the 'Blue City' of Rajasthan, India.

Portait of an Indian woman at the Jodhpur Fort, Rajasthan

Rajasthani woman in a red sari smiles for the camera inside the Jodhpur Fort. Exploring the Jodhpur Fort inside the 'Blue City' of Rajasthan, India.

Blue houses and the Jodhpur Fort in Rajasthan, India

The 'Blue City' of Jodhpur viewed from the Jodhpur Fort. Exploring the Jodhpur Fort inside the 'Blue City' of Rajasthan, India.

Chipmunk on the stone wall of the Jodhpur Fort, Rajasthan

A chipmunk looks at the camera from the sandstone walls of the Jodhpur Fort. Exploring the Jodhpur Fort inside the 'Blue City' of Rajasthan, India.

Pidgeon and chipmunk at the Jodhpur Fort, Rajasthan

A pidgeon flies from the sandstone walls of the Jodhpur Fort beside a frightened chipmunk. Exploring the Jodhpur Fort inside the 'Blue City' of Rajasthan, India.

Fort in Jodhpur; Rajasthan, India

A domed fort on the desert plains outside Jodhpur, as viewed from the Jodhpur Fort. Exploring the Jodhpur Fort inside the 'Blue City' of Rajasthan, India.

Turrets and walls of the Jodhpur Fort in Rajasthan, India

Steep sandstone walls of the Jodhpur Fort tower above the 'Blue City' in Rajasthan. Exploring the Jodhpur Fort inside the 'Blue City' of Rajasthan, India.

Red sunset at the walls of Jodhpur Fort in Rajasthan, India

Blood red sunset behind the sandstone walls of the Jodhpur Fort, guarded by a single cannon. Exploring the Jodhpur Fort inside the 'Blue City' of Rajasthan, India.

Jodhpur Fort at sunset; Rajasthan, India

Sunset view of a domed building on the desert plains outside the Jodhpur Fort. Exploring the Jodhpur Fort inside the 'Blue City' of Rajasthan, India.

Jodhpur Fort sunset in Rajasthan, India

Sunset glows west of the 'Blue City' of Jodhpur, viewed from the Jodhpur Fort. Exploring the Jodhpur Fort inside the 'Blue City' of Rajasthan, India.

Night market at the Jodhpur Fort in Rajasthan, India

Rajasthani kids walking into the Jodhpur Fort at night. Exploring the Jodhpur Fort inside the 'Blue City' of Rajasthan, India.

Rajasthan sunset above the walls of the Jodhpur Fort

Red sunset behind the Jodhpur Fort ramparts with a cannon pointed to the north. Exploring the Jodhpur Fort inside the 'Blue City' of Rajasthan, India.

Chef preparing Indian food at Jodhpur Fort, India

A Rajasthani chef prepares Indian food at the Jodhpur Fort restaurant. Exploring the Jodhpur Fort inside the 'Blue City' of Rajasthan, India.

Night at the Jodhpur Fort in Rajasthan, India

Moonrise over the Jodhpur Fort at night with a background of glittering lights from the 'Blue City'. Exploring the Jodhpur Fort inside the 'Blue City' of Rajasthan, India.

Dinner under the stars at Jodhpur Fort in Rajasthan, India

Indian food under the stars at the Jodhpur Fort at night. Exploring the Jodhpur Fort inside the 'Blue City' of Rajasthan, India.

Handprints of the maharaja's wives at Jodhpur Fort in India

Handprints of the maharaja's wives at the entrance to the Jodhpur Fort. Legend has it that the widows of the maharaja made the handprints before throwing themselves upon his funeral pyre. Exploring the Jodhpur Fort inside the 'Blue City' of Rajasthan, India.

Sunset over the Jodhpur Fort in Rajasthan, India

Dusk at the Jodhpur Fort as viewed from the 'Blue City'. Exploring the Jodhpur Fort inside the 'Blue City' of Rajasthan, India.

Cannon at the Jodhpur Fort in Rajasthan, India

Cannon's eye view of the 'Blue City' of Jodhpur from the Jodhpur Fort. Exploring the Jodhpur Fort inside the 'Blue City' of Rajasthan, India.

Night view of Jodhpur Fort in Rajasthan, India

Moonrise exterior view of the Jodhpur Fort at night. Exploring the Jodhpur Fort inside the 'Blue City' of Rajasthan, India.

Jodhpur Fort at night in Rajasthan, India

Glittering lights of the 'Blue City' of Jodhpur viewed from the Jodhpur Fort at night. Exploring the Jodhpur Fort inside the 'Blue City' of Rajasthan, India.

Indian food at the Jodhpur Fort in Rajasthan, India

Indian food under the stars at the Jodhpur Fort restaurant at night. Exploring the Jodhpur Fort inside the 'Blue City' of Rajasthan, India.

Blue houses in Jodhpur; Rajasthan, India

Aerial view of the 'Blue City' of Jodhpur as viewed from the Jodhpur Fort. Exploring the Jodhpur Fort inside the 'Blue City' of Rajasthan, India.

Jodhpur autorickshaw speeding on the street at night in India

Speeding autorickshaw on the streets of Jodhpur at night. Exploring India: inside the chaotic streets of Jodhpur in Rajasthan, India.

Peacock in the shade of acacia trees outside Jodhpur, India

A blue peacock struts in the shade of acacia trees at a village near Jodhpur. Exploring India: inside the chaotic streets of Jodhpur in Rajasthan, India.

Cow in the Jodhpur street in Rajasthan, India

Bull walking through the streets of Jodhpur, the 'Blue City'. Exploring India: inside the chaotic streets of Jodhpur in Rajasthan, India.

Jodhpur kids playing in the street in Rajasthan, India

Rajasthani kids dueling with sticks in the streets of the 'Blue City' of Jodhpur. Exploring India: inside the chaotic streets of Jodhpur in Rajasthan, India.

Rajasthani woman walking through an alley in Jodhpur, India

A Rajasthani woman walking along the narrow streets of Jodhpur in India. Exploring India: inside the chaotic streets of Jodhpur in Rajasthan, India.

Rajasthani villagers ride a tractor into Jodhpur, India

A group of Rajasthani villagers crowded into a tractor outside the 'Blue City' of Jodhpur. Exploring India: inside the chaotic streets of Jodhpur in Rajasthan, India.

Making fresh tea in Jodhpur; Rajasthan, India

Rajasthani woman making chai tea using traditional methods at a village outside Jodhpur. Exploring India: inside the chaotic streets of Jodhpur in Rajasthan, India.

Busy night market on the streets in Jodhpur; Rajasthan, India

Rajasthani men with a push cart at a busy night market on the streets of Jodhpur. Exploring India: inside the chaotic streets of Jodhpur in Rajasthan, India.

Kids playing in the street in Jodhpur, India

Indian kids playing with sticks in the streets of Jodhpur. Exploring India: inside the chaotic streets of Jodhpur in Rajasthan, India.

Rajasthani potter spinning a clay bowl on the wheel

A Rajasthani woman works with a potter's wheel at a small village outside Jodhpur. Exploring India: inside the chaotic streets of Jodhpur in Rajasthan, India.

Rajasthani kid at a small village outside Jodhpur, India

A Rajasthani kid in a small village outside Jodhpur in India. Exploring India: inside the chaotic streets of Jodhpur in Rajasthan, India.

Street food vendor in Jodhpur; Rajasthan, India

Fried snacks for sale at a Rajasthani street market in Jodhpur. Exploring India: inside the chaotic streets of Jodhpur in Rajasthan, India.

Village traffic on the road into Jodhpur, India

Rajasthani villagers pile onto tractors to catch a ride into Jodhpur. Exploring India: inside the chaotic streets of Jodhpur in Rajasthan, India.

Rajasthani potter forms a clay vase on the potter's wheel in Ind

A Rajasthani man forms clay into a pot on a potter's wheel in a small village in Jodhpur. Exploring India: inside the chaotic streets of Jodhpur in Rajasthan, India.

Making a clay pot at a village in Rajasthan near Jodhpur

Detail photo of a Rajasthani potter's hands as he forms clay into a pot on the potter's wheel. Exploring India: inside the chaotic streets of Jodhpur in Rajasthan, India.

Weaving traditional fabric at a small village near Jodhpur, Indi

A Rajasthani man works on a length of woven fabric on a loom in a small village outside Jodhpur. Exploring India: inside the chaotic streets of Jodhpur in Rajasthan, India.

Detail of tools used to weave traditional fabric in a village ne

Close-up detail photo of a Rajasthani weaver's loom and the hand tools used to make traditional fabric. Exploring India: inside the chaotic streets of Jodhpur in Rajasthan, India.

Bright cotton threads on a traditional loom near Jodhpur, India

Bright cotton threads on a traditional loom in a small village near Jodhpur. Exploring India: inside the chaotic streets of Jodhpur in Rajasthan, India.

Weaving brightly colored fabric on a loom near Jodhpur, Rajastha

Rajasthani weavers making a length of traditional fabric on a loom in a small village near Jodhpur. Exploring India: inside the chaotic streets of Jodhpur in Rajasthan, India.

A Rajasthani man weaves traditional fabric on a loom near Jodhpu

A Rajasthani man in a multi-colored turban weaving a length of traditional fabric on a loom outside Jodhpur. Exploring India: inside the chaotic streets of Jodhpur in Rajasthan, India.

Indian man in Jodhpur making bracelets in Rajasthan

A Jodhpur handicraftsman forms a length of heated plastic into bracelets at a market in Jodhpur. Exploring India: inside the chaotic streets of Jodhpur in Rajasthan, India.

Detail of plastic being formed into bracelets in Jodhpur; Rajast

Hand rolling heated plastic into bracelets at a bustling public market in Jodhpur. Exploring India: inside the chaotic streets of Jodhpur in Rajasthan, India.

Autorickshaw in traffic on the street in Jodhpur, India

Tangled power wires dangle above a narrow, crowded street in the 'Blue City' of Jodhpur. Exploring India: inside the chaotic streets of Jodhpur in Rajasthan, India.

Portrait of a Rajasthani man making bracelets in Jodhpur

An Indian man forms headed plastic into bracelets at a Jodhpur market while an autorickshaw speeds by in the background. Exploring India: inside the chaotic streets of Jodhpur in Rajasthan, India.

Busy street in late afternoon in Jodhpur, India

A Rajasthani man rides a bicycle down a busy narrow street in Jodhpur. Exploring India: inside the chaotic streets of Jodhpur in Rajasthan, India.

Indian kids playing on the street in Jodhpur; Rajasthan, India

Rajasthani kids smiling for the camera near a street market in Jodhpur. Exploring India: inside the chaotic streets of Jodhpur in Rajasthan, India.

Rajasthani boy in Jodhpur, India

A Rajasthani boy smiles for the camera at a street market in Jodhpur. Exploring India: inside the chaotic streets of Jodhpur in Rajasthan, India.

Rajasthani girls in Jodhpur, India

Two Rajasthani girls smile for the camera on a narrow street in Jodhpur. Exploring India: inside the chaotic streets of Jodhpur in Rajasthan, India.

Rajasthani family speeding on a motorbike in Jodhpur, India

A Rajasthani man with two kids speeds by on a scooter on a busy street in Jodhpur. Exploring India: inside the chaotic streets of Jodhpur in Rajasthan, India.

Autorickshaw parked on the street in Jodhpur; Rajasthan, India

Autorickshaw parked on the street in Jodhpur at night. Exploring India: inside the chaotic streets of Jodhpur in Rajasthan, India.

Street musicians play at a night festival in Jodhpur; Rajasthan,

Rajasthani street musicians play at a festival for Ganesh in Jodhpur. Exploring India: inside the chaotic streets of Jodhpur in Rajasthan, India.

Bull on the street of Jodhpur; Rajasthan, India

Portrait of a bull with horns pulling a cart through the streets of Jodhpur, the 'Blue City'. Exploring India: inside the chaotic streets of Jodhpur in Rajasthan, India.

Rajasthani villagers from outside Jodhpur ride a tractor into to

Rajasthani villagers piled on to a tractor to take them into Jodhpur. Exploring India: inside the chaotic streets of Jodhpur in Rajasthan, India.

Rajasthani man making bracelets on the street of Jodhpur, India

A Rajasthani man rolls heated plastic into bracelets at a market in Jodhpur. Exploring India: inside the chaotic streets of Jodhpur in Rajasthan, India.

Night festival in Jodhpur; Rajasthan, India

Jodhpur night street scene during a festival for Ganesh. Exploring India: inside the chaotic streets of Jodhpur in Rajasthan, India.

Portrait of a Rajasthani woman with a bright sari in Jodhpur

Rajasthani woman in a red and black sari smiles at a small village near Jodhpur. Exploring India: inside the chaotic streets of Jodhpur in Rajasthan, India.

View of Leh in Ladakh, northern India

Panoramic view of the main settlement of Leh in Ladakh. Exploring India's Himalayas and Tibetan culture around Leh in Ladakh; Jammu and Kashmir, Northern India.

Himalayan sunset: Stok Tibetan monastery in Leh, India

Sunset at the Stok Tibetan Buddhist monastery in the Himalayan foothills near Leh. Exploring India's Himalayas and Tibetan culture around Leh in Ladakh; Jammu and Kashmir, Northern India.

Himalayan sunset view of the Stok mountain range from Shanti stu

Sunset over the snow-capped Himalayan peaks of the Stok mountain range from the Shanti stupa in Leh. This Buddhist Stupa was opened by the Dalai Lama in 1985. Exploring India's Himalayas and Tibetan culture around Leh in Ladakh; Jammu and Kashmir, Northern India.

Stok mountain peaks at sunset in Leh; Ladakh, India

Blue skies above snow-capped Himalayan mountain peaks at the Stok range near Leh in Ladakh. Exploring India's Himalayas and Tibetan culture around Leh in Ladakh; Jammu and Kashmir, Northern India.

Himalayan valley sunset from the Shanti gompa; Leh, India

Ladakhi Himalayan valley at sunset outside Leh with the Stok mountain range in the background. Exploring India's Himalayas and Tibetan culture around Leh in Ladakh; Jammu and Kashmir, Northern India.

Indian tourists & Himalayan sunset at Shanti stupa in Leh

Tourists at the Shanti stupa watch the Himalayan sunset over the Stok mountain range in Leh. This Buddhist Stupa was opened by the Dalai Lama in 1985. Exploring India's Himalayas and Tibetan culture around Leh in Ladakh; Jammu and Kashmir, Northern India.

Starry night in Leh; Ladakh, India

A clear, starry night in Leh. Exploring India's Himalayas and Tibetan culture around Leh in Ladakh; Jammu and Kashmir, Northern India.

Entering Leh in Ladakh, Northern India

Kris and Kristen crossing the polo grounds in Leh, a Himalayan outpost in Ladakh. Exploring India's Himalayas and Tibetan culture around Leh in Ladakh; Jammu and Kashmir, Northern India.

Tibetan monastery in the Himalayas at sunset; Leh, Ladakh

Himalayan alpenglow on the peaks surrounding the Stok Tibetan monastery in Leh, Ladakh. Exploring India's Himalayas and Tibetan culture around Leh in Ladakh; Jammu and Kashmir, Northern India.

Ladakhi shopkeeper selling fruit in Leh; Ladakh, India

Ladakhi fruit vendor selling fresh produce at the bustling public market in Leh, Ladakh. Exploring India's Himalayas and Tibetan culture around Leh in Ladakh; Jammu and Kashmir, Northern India.

Ladakhi kids playing on the roof of their house in Leh, India

Ladakhi kids on the roof of their house in Leh. Exploring India's Himalayas and Tibetan culture around Leh in Ladakh; Jammu and Kashmir, Northern India.

Himalayan mountain valley in the Stok range near Leh

Himalayan mountain view of the Stok range and the valley outside Leh in Ladakh. Exploring India's Himalayas and Tibetan culture around Leh in Ladakh; Jammu and Kashmir, Northern India.

Himalayan valley sunset near Leh in Ladakh, Northern India

Himalayan valley sunset near the Stok mountain range in Leh, Ladakh. Exploring India's Himalayas and Tibetan culture around Leh in Ladakh; Jammu and Kashmir, Northern India.

Himalayan mountain valley at sunset near Leh; Ladakh, India

Sunset in the Himalayan valley beneath the snow-capped mountain peaks of the Stok range in Ladakh. Exploring India's Himalayas and Tibetan culture around Leh in Ladakh; Jammu and Kashmir, Northern India.

Himalayan valley sunset in Leh; Ladakh, India

Fading golden sunset in the Himalayan valley below the snow-capped Stok mountain range outside Leh in Ladakh. Exploring India's Himalayas and Tibetan culture around Leh in Ladakh; Jammu and Kashmir, Northern India.

Himalayan foothill sunset behind the Stok Tibetan monastery in L

The Himalayan foothills glow with the sunset at the Stok Tibetan monastery in Leh, Ladakh. Exploring India's Himalayas and Tibetan culture around Leh in Ladakh; Jammu and Kashmir, Northern India.

Himalayan alpenglow in Leh; Ladakh, India

Himalayan foothills sunset on the barren peaks surrounding Leh in Ladakh. Exploring India's Himalayas and Tibetan culture around Leh in Ladakh; Jammu and Kashmir, Northern India.

Himalayan foothills tower above the town of Leh in Ladakh, India

Sunset over the Himalayan foothills in Leh. Exploring India's Himalayas and Tibetan culture around Leh in Ladakh; Jammu and Kashmir, Northern India.

Painter painting the Stok mountain range from Leh, Ladakh

An artist painting the view of the Stok mountain range in the Indian Himalayas from the Shanti stupa. This Buddhist Stupa was opened by the Dalai Lama in 1985. Exploring India's Himalayas and Tibetan culture around Leh in Ladakh; Jammu and Kashmir, Northern India.

Himalayan mountain sunset in Leh; Ladakh, India

Kris and Kristen waching the sun set in the Himalayan valley beneath the towering Stok mountain range in Leh. Exploring India's Himalayas and Tibetan culture around Leh in Ladakh; Jammu and Kashmir, Northern India.

Himalayan valley view from the Shanti stupa in Leh; Ladakh, Indi

Panoramic view of the snow-capped Stok mountain range in the Indian Himalayas at sunset near Leh in Ladakh. Exploring India's Himalayas and Tibetan culture around Leh in Ladakh; Jammu and Kashmir, Northern India.

Ladakh at night in Leh, Northern India

Starry night in Leh, Ladakh. Exploring India's Himalayas and Tibetan culture around Leh in Ladakh; Jammu and Kashmir, Northern India.

Himalayan alpenglow at Stok Tibetan monastery in Leh, Ladakh

Himalayan alpenglow sunset behind the Stok Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Leh. Exploring India's Himalayas and Tibetan culture around Leh in Ladakh; Jammu and Kashmir, Northern India.

Starry night in the Himalayas; Leh, Ladakh

Himalayan starry night above Leh and the Stok mountain range in Ladakh. Exploring India's Himalayas and Tibetan culture around Leh in Ladakh; Jammu and Kashmir, Northern India.

Moonrise at night over Leh in Northern India

Himalayan moonrise on a clear night in Leh, Ladakh. Exploring India's Himalayas and Tibetan culture around Leh in Ladakh; Jammu and Kashmir, Northern India.

Indian shopkeeper selling fruit in Leh; Ladakh, India

Indian fruit vendor selling fresh produce at a busy market in Leh, Ladakh. Exploring India's Himalayas and Tibetan culture around Leh in Ladakh; Jammu and Kashmir, Northern India.

Himalayan valley view near Leh in Ladakh, Northern India

Himalayan mountain view of the snow-capped Stok mountains in Leh, Ladakh. Exploring India's Himalayas and Tibetan culture around Leh in Ladakh; Jammu and Kashmir, Northern India.

Stok mountain range viewed from Leh in Ladakh, India

Himalayan sunset view of the snow-capped Stok mountain range near Leh in Ladakh. Exploring India's Himalayas and Tibetan culture around Leh in Ladakh; Jammu and Kashmir, Northern India.

Himalayan mountain sunset from the Shanti stupa in Leh, Ladakh

Kris and Kristen watch the Himalayan sunset over the snow-capped Stok mountain range from the Shanti stupa in Leh. This Buddhist Stupa was opened by the Dalai Lama in 1985. Exploring India's Himalayas and Tibetan culture around Leh in Ladakh; Jammu and Kashmir, Northern India.

Himalayan mountain peak view from the Shanti Tibetan gompa in Le

Snow-capped Himalayan peaks of the Stok mountain range outside Leh in Ladakh. Exploring India's Himalayas and Tibetan culture around Leh in Ladakh; Jammu and Kashmir, Northern India.

Himalayan alpenglow sunset in Leh; Ladakh, India

Orange Himalayan alpenglow on the Himalayan foothills near Leh in Ladakh. Exploring India's Himalayas and Tibetan culture around Leh in Ladakh; Jammu and Kashmir, Northern India.

Mountain sunset view of the Stok Tibetan monastery in Leh, Ladak

Himalayan sunset over the Stok Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Leh. Exploring India's Himalayas and Tibetan culture around Leh in Ladakh; Jammu and Kashmir, Northern India.

Himalayan foothills sunset in Leh; Ladakh, India

Himalayan mountain valley beneath the Stok mountain range outside Leh in Ladakh. Exploring India's Himalayas and Tibetan culture around Leh in Ladakh; Jammu and Kashmir, Northern India.

Indian auto rickshaw driver near Connaught Place, New Delhi

An Indian autorickshaw taxi cab driver on a New Delhi street near Connaught Place. Highlights of New Delhi: including the Connaught Place market and authentic Indian food in Pahar Ganj.

Indian auto ricksaw taxi speeding towards Connaught Place, New D

Indian auto rickshaw taxi drivers speeding through the New Delhi streets in traffic near Connaught Place. Highlights of New Delhi: including the Connaught Place market and authentic Indian food in Pahar Ganj.

Autorickshaws speeding on the street at connaught place, New Del

New Delhi autorickshaw taxi drivers look for customers at the Connaught Place circle. Highlights of New Delhi: including the Connaught Place market and authentic Indian food in Pahar Ganj.

Indian autorickshaw driver portrait near Connaught Place, New De

Indian auto rickshaw taxi cab driver smiles for the camera in busy New Delhi traffic near Connaught Place. Highlights of New Delhi: including the Connaught Place market and authentic Indian food in Pahar Ganj.

Auto rickshaw traffic jam on a busy street in New Delhi, India

New Delhi traffic jam of autorickshaws, trucks, rickshaws, motorcycles and more on a busy street in India. Highlights of New Delhi: including the Connaught Place market and authentic Indian food in Pahar Ganj.

Taxi cabs parked on the street near Connaught Place, India

Typical New Delhi taxi cabs parked on the street near Connaught Place. Highlights of New Delhi: including the Connaught Place market and authentic Indian food in Pahar Ganj.

Indian auto rickshaw speeding on a New Delhi street

New Delhi autorickshaw on the open road near Connaught Place. Highlights of New Delhi: including the Connaught Place market and authentic Indian food in Pahar Ganj.

Auto rickshaw in Connaught Place traffic: New Delhi, India

Speeding yellow and green autorickshaw in Connaught Place, New Delhi. Highlights of New Delhi: including the Connaught Place market and authentic Indian food in Pahar Ganj.

Bicycle rickshaw drivers on a busy road in New Delhi, India

Rickshaws crowd the streets of New Delhi. Highlights of New Delhi: including the Connaught Place market and authentic Indian food in Pahar Ganj.

Fresh tumeric for sale in a New Delhi market

Freshly ground tumeric for sale at a New Delhi market near Connaught Place. Highlights of New Delhi: including the Connaught Place market and authentic Indian food in Pahar Ganj.

Auto rickshaw taxis wait outside train station in New Delhi, Ind

Autorickshaw street traffic on the road outside the main train station in New Delhi. Highlights of New Delhi: including the Connaught Place market and authentic Indian food in Pahar Ganj.

New Delhi traffic on a busy street in India

A busy street in New Delhi clogged with rickshaws, autorickshaws, pedestrians, push carts, and cattle. Highlights of New Delhi, including the Connaught Place market and authentic Indian food in Pahar Ganj.

Fresh tumeric for sale at a market in New Delhi, India

Fresh tumeric and other Indian spices for sale at a busy market in New Delhi near Connaught Place. Highlights of New Delhi: including the Connaught Place market and authentic Indian food in Pahar Ganj.

New Delhi street food vendor near Pahar Ganj

New Delhi street vendor selling fried snacks on the streets near Connaught Place. Highlights of New Delhi: including the Connaught Place market and authentic Indian food in Pahar Ganj.

Indian mannequin salesman on a busy street in New Delhi, India

Indian man selling mannequins on the street in New Delhi. Highlights of New Delhi: including the Connaught Place market and authentic Indian food in Pahar Ganj.

Pahar Ganj street market: New Delhi, India

Bustling street market on a busy street in the Pahar Ganj neighborhood of New Delhi. Highlights of New Delhi: including the Connaught Place market and authentic Indian food in Pahar Ganj.

New Delhi taxi cab near Connaught Place, India

Front grill of a typical New Delhi taxi cab in India. Highlights of New Delhi: including the Connaught Place market and authentic Indian food in Pahar Ganj.

Hot red chili peppers for sale in a New Delhi market, India

Dried red peppers for making spicy Indian curries at a busy street market in New Delhi. Highlights of New Delhi: including the Connaught Place market and authentic Indian food in Pahar Ganj.

Indian food spices for sale at a street market in New Delhi

Fresh tumeric and other Indian spices for making authentic Indian food for sale at a busy street market in New Delhi. Highlights of New Delhi: including the Connaught Place market and authentic Indian food in Pahar Ganj.

Indian food: Chicken tikka masala in New Delhi

Indian food: chicken tikka masala at an authentic Indian restaurant in New Delhi. Highlights of New Delhi: including the Connaught Place market and authentic Indian food in Pahar Ganj.

Fresh Indian spices for sale at a street market in New Delhi

Freshly ground yellow tumeric, red chili, and green coriander powders for sale at busy market in New Delhi for making traditional Indian food. Highlights of New Delhi: including the Connaught Place market and authentic Indian food in Pahar Ganj.

Inside the auto rickshaw: New Delhi city travel in India

Insider's view of a New Delhi autorickshaw in heavy traffic. Highlights of New Delhi: including the Connaught Place market and authentic Indian food in Pahar Ganj.

Palm tree, blue water and a tropical island in El Nido, Palawan

Palawan tropical island (Cadlao) framed by a palm tree against a background of blue sky and blue water. Travel photography of El Nido, Palawan in the Philippines.

Bunch of fresh bananas and a beach sunset behind Cadlao Island i

A bunch of freshly cut bananas on the table of a villa in Palawan with an island beach sunset in the background. Travel photography of El Nido, Palawan in the Philippines.

Palm tree, blue water and a tropical island in Palawan

Palawan tropical island (Cadlao) framed by a palm tree against a background of blue sky and blue water. Travel photography of El Nido, Palawan in the Philippines.

Ocean sunset behind a tropical island in Palawan with fresh bana

A bunch of freshly cut bananas on the table of a villa in Palawan with an island beach sunset in the background. Travel photography of El Nido, Palawan in the Philippines.

Underwater photography: Monkey swimming on a Palawan tropical is

Funny pictures: A monkey swimming underwater with bubbles coming out of his nose against a blue water background in Palawan. Travel photography of El Nido, Palawan in the Philippines.

Monkey swimming on a tropical island beach in Palawan

Funny pictures: a monkey relaxing on an island beach in Palawan by taking a swim. Travel photography of El Nido, Palawan in the Philippines.

Underwater photography: Monkey swimming on a Palawan tropical is

Funny pictures: A monkey swimming underwater and looking at the camera against a blue water background in Palawan. Travel photography of El Nido, Palawan in the Philippines.

Monkey grooming my hair in Palawan

Funny pictures: A monkey tries to become friends by grooming my hair to find fleas (not sure if he was successful). Travel photography of El Nido, Palawan in the Philippines.

Monkey biting a hand in El Nido, Palawan

Don't try this at home: Monkey biting my hand to say hello (don't worry, he didn't break the skin). Travel photography of El Nido, Palawan in the Philippines.

El Nido tropical island beach surrounded by blue water

A white sand tropical island beach in Palawan with blue skies and blue water in the background. Travel photography of El Nido, Palawan in the Philippines.

White sand beach shaded by palm trees near El Nido, Palawan

Palawan tropical island beach shaded by palm trees. Travel photography of El Nido, Palawan in the Philippines.

Palm trees and blue sky in El Nido, Palawan

Palawan tropical island beach shaded by palm trees. Travel photography of El Nido, Palawan in the Philippines.

White sand beach shaded by palm trees near El Nido, Palawan

Palawan tropical island beach beside blue water and shaded by palm trees. Travel photography of El Nido, Palawan in the Philippines.

Baby monkey portrait in El Nido, Palawan

A baby monkey looks into the camera while perched on Del's shoulder. Travel photography of El Nido, Palawan in the Philippines.

Baby monkey on my shoulder on a Palawan island beach

Lulu the baby monkey sits on my shoulder in Palawan. Travel photography of El Nido, Palawan in the Philippines.

Baby monkey on Kris' shoulder on a Palawan island beach

Lulu the baby monkey sits on Kris's shoulder in Palawan. Travel photography of El Nido, Palawan in the Philippines.

Palawan island beach night: starry night sky lit by campfire

A starry night on a Palawan island beach lit by the glow of a dying fire. Palawan island beach night Travel photography of El Nido, Palawan in the Philippines.

Ocean sunset behind Cadlao, a large tropical island near El Nido

A perfect island beach sunset behind Cadlao Island in Palawan. Travel photography of El Nido, Palawan in the Philippines.

El Nido tropical island beach surrounded by blue water

A tropical island beach in Palawan with blue skies and blue water in the background. Travel photography of El Nido, Palawan in the Philippines.

Tropical island beach and palm tree shade near El Nido, Palawan

Palawan white sand island beach shaded by palm trees with a background of blue water. Travel photography of El Nido, Palawan in the Philippines.

Jumping monkey on a Palawan island beach near El Nido

Funny pictures: Moy the jumping monkey dives for the blue water of a Palawan Island beach. Travel photography of El Nido, Palawan in the Philippines.

Monkey swimming on a Palawan island beach near El Nido

Funny pictures: Moy the swimming monkey dives for crabs in the shallow water of a Palawan Island beach. Travel photography of El Nido, Palawan in the Philippines.

Ocean sunset behind Cadlao, a large tropical island near El Nido

Tropical island beach sunset behind Cadlao Island in Palawan. Travel photography of El Nido, Palawan in the Philippines.

Beach sunset behind Cadlao, a large tropical island near El Nido

Beach sunset view of Cadlao, a tropical island in El Nido, Palawan. Travel photography of El Nido, Palawan in the Philippines.

Palm tree, blue water and a tropical island in El Nido, Palawan

Palawan tropical island (Cadlao) framed by a palm tree against a background of blue sky and blue water. Travel photography of El Nido, Palawan in the Philippines.

An El Nido street ends in white sand beach and blue water in Pal

A Palawan street ends in a white sand beach beside blue water in El Nido. Travel photography of El Nido, Palawan in the Philippines.

El Nido tropical island beach surrounded by blue water

Kris stands on a Palawan white sand island beach shaded by palm trees with a background of blue water. Travel photography of El Nido, Palawan in the Philippines.

Tropical island with white sand beach surrounded by blue water i

A small tropical island in Palawan with a karst limestone cliff and a white sand beach surrounded by blue water. Palawan island hopping trip near El Nido, Philippines.

Palawan tropical island beach sunrise and blue water lagoon

A beach sunrise glows against the karst limestone cliffs beside a white sand island beach. Palawan island hopping trip near El Nido, Philippines.

White sand island beach beside a blue water lagoon in Palawan

A Palawan beach sunrise on a small tropical island with karst limestone formation and lying within the Bacuit archipelago. Palawan island hopping trip near El Nido, Philippines.

Tropical Island beach surrounded by blue water in Palawan

Blue water surrounds a white sand island beach with karst limestone cliff in the Philippines. Palawan island hopping trip near El Nido, Philippines.

Blue water tropical island beach in Palawan

Blue water surrounds a small Palawan tropical island beach shaded by palm trees. Palawan blue water tropical island with palm tree shaded beach

Blue water tropical island in Palawan with white sand beach

A white sand island beach shaded by palm trees and surrounded by blue water. Palawan island hopping trip near El Nido, Philippines.

El Nido blue water tropical island with white sand beach

A small tropical island beach with karst limestone cliff surrounded by blue water. Palawan island hopping trip near El Nido, Philippines.

El Nido blue water tropical island with white sand beach

A small tropical island beach with karst limestone cliff surrounded by blue water. Palawan island hopping trip near El Nido, Philippines.

Palawan tropical island surrounded by blue water

Blue water surrounds a small Palawan island beach with a karst limestone cliff towering above it. Palawan island hopping trip near El Nido, Philippines.

Sea kayak on a white sand island beach beside blue water lagoon

A traditional Filipino "bangka" outrigger sea kayak on a white sand beach beside a blue water lagoon on a remote island beach in Palawan. Overnight paddling / camping trip through the Bacuit Archipelago near El Nido, Palawan.

Snorkeling a blue water lagoon on a remote tropical island in Pa

Kris and Kristen snorkeling in the shallow blue water of a remote island beach at the edge of the South China Sea in Palawan. Sea kayak tropical island overnight paddling / camping trip through the Bacuit Archipelago near El Nido, Palawan.

Blue water sea kayak paddling on a tropical island

Paddling a sea kayak across a blue water lagoon on a Palawan tropical island. Sea kayak tropical island overnight paddling / camping trip through the Bacuit Archipelago near El Nido, Palawan.

Palawan blue water sea kayak paddling

Paddling a sea kayak across a blue water lagoon on a Palawan tropical island. Sea kayak tropical island overnight paddling / camping trip through the Bacuit Archipelago near El Nido, Palawan.

Palawan sea kayak trip to a tropical island beach

Kris and Kristen read the GPS to plan the next leg of the trip on an island beach in Palawan. Sea kayak tropical island overnight paddling / camping trip through the Bacuit Archipelago near El Nido, Palawan.

Packing the sea kayak on a Palawan island beach

Kris packs his sea kayak on a white sand island beach in Palawan. Sea kayak tropical island overnight paddling / camping trip through the Bacuit Archipelago near El Nido, Palawan.

Palawan tropical island and blue water lagoon

Clear blue water lagoon beside a karst limestone formation on a small tropical island in Palawan. Sea kayak tropical island overnight paddling / camping trip through the Bacuit Archipelago near El Nido, Palawan.

Tropical island beach with blue water lagoon - Palawan

A white sand island beach beside a blue water lagoon in Palawan shaded by trees. Sea kayak tropical island overnight paddling / camping trip through the Bacuit Archipelago near El Nido, Palawan.

Tropical island beach with blue water lagoon - Palawan

A white sand island beach beside a blue water lagoon in Palawan shaded by trees. Sea kayak tropical island overnight paddling / camping trip through the Bacuit Archipelago near El Nido, Palawan.

Paddling a sea kayak in a blue water lagoon

Paddling a traditional Filipino "bangka" outrigger sea kayak across a blue water lagoon in Palawan. Sea kayak tropical island overnight paddling / camping trip through the Bacuit Archipelago near El Nido, Palawan.

El Nido Palawan sea kayaking

Kris lands his sea kayak at the El Nido Beach in Palawan with Cadlao Island in the background. Sea kayak tropical island overnight paddling / camping trip through the Bacuit Archipelago near El Nido, Palawan.

Outrigger sea kayak on a white sand island beach in Palawan

A traditional Filipino "bangka" outrigger sea kayak on a white sand beach beside a blue water lagoon on a remote island beach in Palawan. Overnight paddling / camping trip through the Bacuit Archipelago near El Nido, Palawan.

Packing a sea kayak on a Palawan Island Beach

Kris packs his sea kayak on a Palawan island beach before paddling out into the blue water of the South China Sea. Sea kayak tropical island overnight paddling / camping trip through the Bacuit Archipelago near El Nido, Palawan.

Paddling a sea kayak towards a Palawan tropical island

Paddling a sea kayak towards Cadlao Island near El Nido in Palawan. Sea kayak tropical island overnight paddling / camping trip through the Bacuit Archipelago near El Nido, Palawan.

Palawan karst limestone cliff and blue water of the South China

Kris disappears behind the big ocean waves of the South China Sea against a background of jagged karst limestone cliff. Sea kayak tropical island overnight paddling / camping trip through the Bacuit Archipelago near El Nido, Palawan.

Tropical island sea kayak paddling in Palawan

Paddling a sea kayak towards a small tropical island beach in Palawan near El Nido. Sea kayak tropical island overnight paddling / camping trip through the Bacuit Archipelago near El Nido, Palawan.

Palawan Island Beach sea kayak paddling

Kris and Kristen launch their sea kayaks into the blue waters surrounding a white sand island beach in Palawan. Sea kayak tropical island overnight paddling / camping trip through the Bacuit Archipelago near El Nido, Palawan.

Morning run on a Palawan island beach

Kristen takes an early morning run on a deserted white sand island beach in Palawan. Sea kayak tropical island overnight paddling / camping trip through the Bacuit Archipelago near El Nido, Palawan.

Palawan island beach camping - sea kayak island hopping trip

Kris and Kristen build a small cooking fire on a Palawan island beach as the sun sets over the small tropical islands of the Bacuit Archipelago in the background. Sea kayak tropical island overnight paddling / camping trip through the Bacuit Archipelago near El Nido, Palawan.

Palawan white sand island beach and blue water lagoon

Three sea kayaks on a Palawan island beach beside a blue water lagoon in the Philippines. Sea kayak tropical island overnight paddling / camping trip through the Bacuit Archipelago near El Nido, Palawan.

Palawan blue water sea kayak paddling near El Nido

Kris paddles a sea kayak past small ocean waves towards Cadlao Island in El Nido. Sea kayak tropical island overnight paddling / camping trip through the Bacuit Archipelago near El Nido, Palawan.

Blue water sea kayak paddling

Paddling a sea kayak across a blue water lagoon on a Palawan tropical island. Sea kayak tropical island overnight paddling / camping trip through the Bacuit Archipelago near El Nido, Palawan.

Palawan island beach blue water snorkeling

Kris and Kristen head out for snorkeling from the white sand island beach where we stopped for lunch. Sea kayak tropical island overnight paddling / camping trip through the Bacuit Archipelago near El Nido, Palawan.

Tropical island beach with blue water lagoon and outrigger sea k

An outrigger "bangka" sea kayak beside a blue water lagoon and white sand island beach in Palawan. Sea kayak tropical island overnight paddling / camping trip through the Bacuit Archipelago near El Nido, Palawan.

Tropical island beach with blue water lagoon and outrigger sea k

An outrigger "bangka" sea kayak beside a blue water lagoon and white sand island beach in Palawan. Sea kayak tropical island overnight paddling / camping trip through the Bacuit Archipelago near El Nido, Palawan.

Tropical island beach with blue water lagoon and outrigger sea k

An outrigger "bangka" sea kayak beside a blue water lagoon and white sand island beach in Palawan. Sea kayak tropical island overnight paddling / camping trip through the Bacuit Archipelago near El Nido, Palawan.

Blue water lagoon sea kayak paddling in Palawan

Paddling a traditional Filipino "bangka" outrigger sea kayak across a blue water lagoon in Palawan. Sea kayak tropical island overnight paddling / camping trip through the Bacuit Archipelago near El Nido, Palawan.

Paddling to a Palawan tropical island beach in a sea kayak

Paddling a traditional Filipino "bangka" outrigger sea kayak towards a deserted island beach in Palawan. Sea kayak tropical island overnight paddling / camping trip through the Bacuit Archipelago near El Nido, Palawan.

Paddling the South China Sea in an outrigger sea kayak

Paddling a sea kayak in the South China Sea towards karst limestone cliffs in Palawan. Sea kayak tropical island overnight paddling / camping trip through the Bacuit Archipelago near El Nido, Palawan.

Tropical Island blue water sea kayak paddling in Palawan

Paddling a traditional Filipino "bangka" outrigger sea kayak across a blue water lagoon in Palawan. Sea kayak tropical island overnight paddling / camping trip through the Bacuit Archipelago near El Nido, Palawan.

Tropical Island sea kayak paddling in a blue water lagoon

Kris paddles a sea kayak across a blue water lagoon on a small tropical island in Palawan. Sea kayak tropical island overnight paddling / camping trip through the Bacuit Archipelago near El Nido, Palawan.

Palawan sea kayak paddling overnight camping trip

Kris and Kristen waiting for me to put the camera back in the bag on the way to the outer islands of the Bacuit Archipelago. Sea kayak tropical island overnight paddling / camping trip through the Bacuit Archipelago near El Nido, Palawan.

Tropical island beach with blue water lagoon

A blue water lagoon beside a white sand island beach in Palawan with karst limestone formations in the background. Sea kayak tropical island overnight paddling / camping trip through the Bacuit Archipelago near El Nido, Palawan.

Palawan tropical island beach and blue water lagoon

A blue water lagoon beside a white sand island beach in Palawan with karst limestone formations in the background. Sea kayak tropical island overnight paddling / camping trip through the Bacuit Archipelago near El Nido, Palawan.

White sand tropical island beach with blue water lagoon and outr

A traditional Filipino "bangka" outrigger sea kayak on a white sand beach beside a blue water lagoon on a deserted island beach in Palawan. Overnight paddling / camping trip through the Bacuit Archipelago near El Nido, Palawan.

Karst limestone cliff beside blue water in the South China Sea

Karst limestone cliff is battered by ocean waves at the edge of the South China Sea in Palawan. Sea kayak tropical island overnight paddling / camping trip through the Bacuit Archipelago near El Nido, Palawan.

Palawan karst limestone cliff and blue water sea kayak paddling

Kris paddling his sea kayak beside a towering karst limestone cliff in the South China Sea in Palawan. Sea kayak tropical island overnight paddling / camping trip through the Bacuit Archipelago near El Nido, Palawan.

Karst limestone cliff and blue water sea kayaking in Palawan

Kris paddling his sea kayak beside a towering karst limestone cliff in the South China Sea in Palawan. Sea kayak tropical island overnight paddling / camping trip through the Bacuit Archipelago near El Nido, Palawan.

Jagged karst limestone cliff and the South China Sea in Palawan

Jagged karst limestone cliffs plunge into the blue water of the South China Sea at the edge of the Bacuit Archipelago in Palawan. Sea kayak tropical island overnight paddling / camping trip through the Bacuit Archipelago near El Nido, Palawan.

Tropical island beach night in Palawn

Island beach night in Palawan lit by candles--we slept under mosquito nets. Sea kayak tropical island overnight paddling / camping trip through the Bacuit Archipelago near El Nido, Palawan.

Packing the sea kayak on a tropical island beach in Palawan

Kris ties down the waterproof compartments of his sea kayak on a white sand island beach in Palawan. Sea kayak tropical island overnight paddling / camping trip through the Bacuit Archipelago near El Nido, Palawan.

Paddling a sea kayak to a tropical island in Palawan

Paddling a traditional outrigger "bangka" sea kayak towards a karst limestone tropical island in Palawan. Sea kayak tropical island overnight paddling / camping trip through the Bacuit Archipelago near El Nido, Palawan.

South China Sea Blue Water sea kayak paddling

Paddling a traditional Filipino "bangka" outrigger sea kayak towards a karst limestone cliff in the South China Sea. Sea kayak tropical island overnight paddling / camping trip through the Bacuit Archipelago near El Nido, Palawan.

Tropical Island blue water sea kayak paddling in Palawan

Paddling a traditional Filipino "bangka" outrigger sea kayak across a blue water lagoon in Palawan. Sea kayak tropical island overnight paddling / camping trip through the Bacuit Archipelago near El Nido, Palawan.

Tropical island beach sunset near El Nido

Palawan island beach sunset with two sea kayaks beside the blue water. Sea kayak tropical island overnight paddling / camping trip through the Bacuit Archipelago near El Nido, Palawan.

Tropical island beach sunset cooking in Palawan

Kris and Kristen build a cooking fire during a Palawan island beach sunset. Sea kayak tropical island overnight paddling / camping trip through the Bacuit Archipelago near El Nido, Palawan.

Cooking dinner on a tropical island beach in Palawan

Kris cooks dinner during a Palawan tropical island beach sunset. Sea kayak tropical island overnight paddling / camping trip through the Bacuit Archipelago near El Nido, Palawan.

Island beach sunrise run in Palawan, Philippines

Kristen takes a beach sunrise run in Palawan. Sea kayak tropical island overnight paddling / camping trip through the Bacuit Archipelago near El Nido, Palawan.

Tropical island beach sea kayak paddling

Paddling a traditional outrigger "bangka" sea kayak towards a small tropical island beach in Palawan. Sea kayak tropical island overnight paddling / camping trip through the Bacuit Archipelago near El Nido, Palawan.

South China Sea karst limestone formation in Palawan

A large karst limestone rock formation juts out of the South China Sea in Palawan. Sea kayak tropical island overnight paddling / camping trip through the Bacuit Archipelago near El Nido, Palawan.

Blue water snorkeling on a tropical island beach

Kris and Kristen land their sea kayaks on a Palawan island beach beside a blue water lagoon. Sea kayak tropical island overnight paddling / camping trip through the Bacuit Archipelago near El Nido, Palawan.

Tropical island beach with blue water lagoon in Palawan

Kris and Kristen land their sea kayaks on a Palawan island beach beside a blue water lagoon. Sea kayak tropical island overnight paddling / camping trip through the Bacuit Archipelago near El Nido, Palawan.

Tropical island beach with blue water lagoon

Blue water lagoon and tropical island beach in Palawan. Sea kayak tropical island overnight paddling / camping trip through the Bacuit Archipelago near El Nido, Palawan.

Tropical Island beach with fooprints in the sand - Palawan

A deserted beach with footprints in the sand on Dilumacad Island, a small tropical island near El Nido. Sea kayak tropical island overnight paddling / camping trip through the Bacuit Archipelago near El Nido, Palawan.

Tropical island beach picnic in Palawan

Kris and Kristen eating a healthy lunch before paddling out into the South China Sea in their sea kayaks. Sea kayak tropical island overnight paddling / camping trip through the Bacuit Archipelago near El Nido, Palawan.

Paddling a sea kayak towards the South China Sea in Palawan

Kris paddles his sea kayak towards the open South China Sea across a blue water lagoon in Palawan. Sea kayak tropical island overnight paddling / camping trip through the Bacuit Archipelago near El Nido, Palawan.

Sea kayak and blue water lagoon in Palawan

Paddling a traditional outrigger "bangka" sea kayak towards the open South China Sea in Palawan. Sea kayak tropical island overnight paddling / camping trip through the Bacuit Archipelago near El Nido, Palawan.

Paddling a sea kayak towards the South China Sea in Palawan

Paddling a traditional outrigger "bangka" sea kayak towards the open South China Sea in Palawan. Sea kayak tropical island overnight paddling / camping trip through the Bacuit Archipelago near El Nido, Palawan.

Paddling a sea kayak beside karst limestone cliff in Palawan

Kris paddling a sea kayak beside a karst limestone cliff in Palawan. Sea kayak tropical island overnight paddling / camping trip through the Bacuit Archipelago near El Nido, Palawan.

Tropical Island sea kayak beach camping

Two sea kayaks on the Dilumacad Island beach in Palawan at sunset. Sea kayak tropical island overnight paddling / camping trip through the Bacuit Archipelago near El Nido, Palawan.

Orange beach sunset on Pamilacan Island

The sun sets behind a mango tree and the Bohol Sea from the Pamilacan Island beach. Overnight beach camping trip to Pamilacan Island in Bohol, Philippines.

Barangay captain holding fighting cock on Pamilacan Island befor

The barangay captain of Pamilacan island holds a fighting cock before a Sunday afternoon cock fight. Overnight beach camping trip to Pamilacan Island in Bohol, Philippines.

Traditional Filipino 'bangka' sea kayak on the beach at sunset

A beach sunset on Pamilacan Island behind the remains of a Spanish colonial-era stone fort in Bohol. Overnight beach camping trip to Pamilacan Island in Bohol, Philippines.

Pamilacan Island beach sunset with 'bangka' outrigger sea kayak

An orange sunset from the Pamilacan Island beach behind an outrigger 'bangka' sea kayak. Overnight beach camping trip to Pamilacan Island in Bohol, Philippines.

Watching the Pamilacan Island cock fight from a coconut tree

A Filipino boy from Pamilacan Island watches the Sunday afternoon cock fight from the top of a green coconut palm tree on Pamilacan Island. Overnight beach camping trip to Pamilacan Island in Bohol, Philippines.

Two roosters fighting at the Pamilacan Island cock pit

Two fighting cocks face off at the Pamilacan Island cock pit for the Sunday afternoon cock fight. Overnight beach camping trip to Pamilacan Island in Bohol, Philippines.

The cock fight begins: Roosters are matched for a fight to the d

The Pamilacan Island barangay captain prepares his fighting cock for the Sunday afternoon cock fight on the island. Overnight beach camping trip to Pamilacan Island in Bohol, Philippines.

Cock fight crowd: Pamilacan islanders wait for the fight to begi

The Pamilacan Island community gathers around the fence surrounding the cock pit for the Sunday afternoon cock fight. Overnight beach camping trip to Pamilacan Island in Bohol, Philippines.

Coconut palm trees against a blue sky background on an island be

Tall coconut palm tress beside the Pamilacan Island beach in Bohol. Overnight beach camping trip to Pamilacan Island in Bohol, Philippines.

Purple beach sunrise over the 'Dakit Dakit' mangrove trees on Pa

Sunrise over the white sand beach of Pamilacan Island glows purple against the sky behind the 'Dakit Dakit' mangroves growing on the remains of a Spanish garrison turret from the colonial times in the Philippines. Overnight beach camping trip to Pamilacan Island in Bohol, Philippines.

Cock fight preparation: The rooster's spurs are cut

Two Filipino men prepare their rooster before the Sunday afternoon cock fight on Pamilacan Island. Overnight beach camping trip to Pamilacan Island in Bohol, Philippines.

A Filipino boy holds up two fighting crabs on the beach

A Filipino boy from Pamilacan Island dug up a couple of sand crabs on the beach at sunset. Overnight beach camping trip to Pamilacan Island in Bohol, Philippines.

Coconut palm trees on the beach at sunrise

Tall coconut palm trees near the beach on Pamilacan Island. Overnight beach camping trip to Pamilacan Island in Bohol, Philippines.

Cock fight roosters are selected for their fights

Filipino men prepare their fighting cocks for the Sunday afternoon cock fight on Pamilacan Island in Bohol. Overnight beach camping trip to Pamilacan Island in Bohol, Philippines.

The community cock pit on Pamilacan Island

The Pamilacan Island cock pit at sunset on a Sunday afternoon just before the cock fight. Overnight beach camping trip to Pamilacan Island in Bohol, Philippines.

Pamilacan Islanders watch the Sunday afternoon cock fight

A group of Filipino men watching the outcome of the Sunday afternoon cock fight at the Pamilacan Island cock pit in Bohol. Overnight beach camping trip to Pamilacan Island in Bohol, Philippines.

Dead rooster at the cock pit after a cock fight

A dead rooster is carried out of the Pamilacan Island cock pit after the end of the cock fight. Overnight beach camping trip to Pamilacan Island in Bohol, Philippines.

Preparing for the cock fight on Pamilacan Island

A group of Filipino men gather to see the matchups of fighting cocks during the Sunday afternoon cock fight on Pamilacan Island in Bohol. Overnight beach camping trip to Pamilacan Island in Bohol, Philippines.

Starry night on the beach at Pamilacan Island

Stars glow in the sky on a Pamilacan Island beach night in Bohol. Overnight beach camping trip to Pamilacan Island in Bohol, Philippines.

Filipino fisherman brings in his catch on the Pamilacan Island b

A Filipino fisherman brings in a catch of small fish at sunset on the Pamilacan Island beach in Bohol. Overnight beach camping trip to Pamilacan Island in Bohol, Philippines.

Beach sunset on Pamilacan Island in Bohol

A purple sunset over the Bohol Sea from the Pamilacan Island beach. Overnight beach camping trip to Pamilacan Island in Bohol, Philippines.

Beach night view of the Milky Way on an island beach

Clear view of the Milky Way on a Pamilacan Island beach night in Bohol. Overnight beach camping trip to Pamilacan Island in Bohol, Philippines.

Starry night on the Pamilacan Island beach

Stars streaking through the night sky on the Pamilacan Island beach in Bohol. Overnight beach camping trip to Pamilacan Island in Bohol, Philippines.

Red beach sunset from Pamilacan Island

Beach sunset from Pamilacan Island in Bohol. Overnight beach camping trip to Pamilacan Island in Bohol, Philippines.

Bohol sunset behind a red 'bangka' outrigger sea kayak

The sun sets over the Bohol Sea and a red 'bangka' outrigger fishing boat on Pamilacan Island in Bohol. Overnight beach camping trip to Pamilacan Island in Bohol, Philippines.

Pamilacan Island beach sunset behind a 'bangka' sea kayak

Red beach sunset from Pamilacan Island beach in Bohol. Overnight beach camping trip to Pamilacan Island in Bohol, Philippines.

Beach sunset in Bohol, Philippines

Sunset over the Pamilacan Island beach and the Bohol Sea. Overnight beach camping trip to Pamilacan Island in Bohol, Philippines.

Tall palm trees against a blue sky background in Bohol

Tall palm trees stretch into a clear blue sky on the Pamilacan Island beach in Bohol at sunrise. Overnight beach camping trip to Pamilacan Island in Bohol, Philippines.

A Pamilacan Island boy holds up two fighting crabs on the beach

A Pamilacan Island boy digs up two sand crabs on the beach at sunset. Overnight beach camping trip to Pamilacan Island in Bohol, Philippines.

Rooster prepared for cock fight at the Pamilacan cock pit

A fighting cock strains to attack its competitor in a Sunday afternoon cock fight on Pamilacan Island. Overnight beach camping trip to Pamilacan Island in Bohol, Philippines.

Two Indian boys near the Pakistan border in Rajasthan

Two Rajasthani boys outside a mud hut in the desert near Jaisalmer. Exploring the culture of Rajasthan inside the Golden Triangle near Jaisalmer, India.

Rajasthani woman making chapati bread in a mud hut near Jaisalme

Rajasthani woman in a red sari prepares dough to be made into chapati bread. Exploring the culture of Rajasthan inside the Golden Triangle near Jaisalmer, India.

Carved sandstone haveli columns outside Jaisalmer in Rajasthan,

Intricately-carved sandstone columns of a desert haveli near Jaisalmer. Exploring the culture of Rajasthan inside the Golden Triangle near Jaisalmer, India.

Portrait of a Rajasthani village woman in the desert

Portrait of a Rajasthani woman in a faded pink sari outside her mud hut in a Great Thar desert village near Jaisalmer. Exploring the culture of Rajasthan inside the Golden Triangle near Jaisalmer, India.

Rajasthani boy playing the ravanta in Jaisalmer, India

Indian boy playing the ravanta--a traditional Rajasthani musical instrument--inside his family's mud hut in Jaisalmer. Exploring the culture of Rajasthan inside the Golden Triangle near Jaisalmer, India.

Ruins of a sandstone haveli temple near Jaisalmer; Rajasthan, In

Ruins of domed havelis in the desert outside Jaisalmer. Exploring the culture of Rajasthan inside the Golden Triangle near Jaisalmer, India.

Indian woman in Rajasthan baking chapati bread in a mud hut

Rajasthani woman rolling dough into chapati bread inside her mud hut in Jaisalmer. Exploring the culture of Rajasthan inside the Golden Triangle near Jaisalmer, India.

Sandstone ruins of a haveli outside Jaisalmer, India

Haveli courtyard with intricately-carved sandstone columns and buildings in the desert near Jaisalmer. Exploring the culture of Rajasthan inside the Golden Triangle near Jaisalmer, India.

Rajasthani musician and his wife in their mud hit in Jaisalmer

Rajasthani street musicial bowing his ravanta inside his family's mud hut in Jaisalmer. Exploring the culture of Rajasthan inside the Golden Triangle near Jaisalmer, India.

Domed roof of sandstone haveli in Rajasthan, India

Domed sandstone haveli ruins in a small desert village near Jaisalmer. Exploring the culture of Rajasthan inside the Golden Triangle near Jaisalmer, India.

Interior view of sandstone haveli ruins in a small village near Jaisalmer. Exploring the culture of Rajasthan inside the Golden Triangle near Jaisalmer, India.

Great Thar desert village portrait in Rajasthan, India

A frowning Rajasthani woman outside her mud hut in a desert village near Jaisalmer. Exploring the culture of Rajasthan inside the Golden Triangle near Jaisalmer, India.

Intricately carved sandstone ceiling of a haveli near Jaisalmer

Interior view of an intricately-carved haveli ceiling in a small village near Jaisalmer. Exploring the culture of Rajasthan inside the Golden Triangle near Jaisalmer, India.

Indian woman rests in a desert village in Rajasthan

Rajasthani woman sitting in front of a desert mud hut in her village near Jaisalmer. Exploring the culture of Rajasthan inside the Golden Triangle near Jaisalmer, India.

Indian boys in a desert village near Jaisalmer, Rajasthan

Rajasthani boys in front of their traditional mud hut in a small village in the Great Thar Desert near Jaisalmer. Exploring the culture of Rajasthan inside the Golden Triangle near Jaisalmer, India.

Desert village life near Jaisalmer in Rajasthan, India

Rajasthani woman in a faded red sari sitting in front of her mud hut in a small village at the edge of the Great Thar Desert near Jaisalmer. Exploring the culture of Rajasthan inside the Golden Triangle near Jaisalmer, India.

Inside a mud hut in a desert village near Jaisalmer, Rajasthan

Rajasthani boys in the doorway of their mud hut located at the edge of the Great Thar Desert near Jaisalmer. Exploring the culture of Rajasthan inside the Golden Triangle near Jaisalmer, India.

Rajasthani musician playing the ravanta inside a mud hut in Jais

Rajasthani musician playing the ravanta with his wife and kids inside their traditional mud hut outside Jaisalmer. Exploring the culture of Rajasthan inside the Golden Triangle near Jaisalmer, India.

Tourist inside carved sandstone haveli near Jaisalmer; Rajasthan

Tourist exploring the intricately-carved sandstone interior of a desert haveli outside Jaisalmer. Exploring the culture of Rajasthan inside the Golden Triangle near Jaisalmer, India.

Indian woman baking chapati bread in Rajasthan, India

A Rajasthani woman in a red sari making dough for chapati bread in Jaisalmer. Exploring the culture of Rajasthan inside the Golden Triangle near Jaisalmer, India.

Interior of carved sandstone haveli in Rajasthan, India

Intricately-carved golden dome of a Rajasthani desert haveli near Jaisalmer. Exploring the culture of Rajasthan inside the Golden Triangle near Jaisalmer, India.

Rajasthan India travel: sandstone haveli near Jaisalmer

Interior view of a Rajasthani desert haveli with detailed sandstone carvings. Exploring the culture of Rajasthan inside the Golden Triangle near Jaisalmer, India.

Rajasthani old woman at a small village in the Thar Desert, Indi

Rajasthani woman in a Great Thar desert village outside of Jaisalmer. Exploring the culture of Rajasthan inside the Golden Triangle near Jaisalmer, India.

Indian family inside their mud hut in Rajasthan, India

Indian musician bowing a ravanta in his family's mud hut located in Jaisalmer. Exploring the culture of Rajasthan inside the Golden Triangle near Jaisalmer, India.

Cloudy day at Shimla, a former Hill Station of the British Empir

Shimla is built into the steep hillsides of the Himalayan foothills. Travel in Himachal Pradesh: exploring an old British Empire Hill station in Shimla with packs of monkeys, misty mountains, and Indian street food.

Mother monkey growls at the camera as she defends her dead baby;

A mother monkey holding her dead baby growls at the camera near the Jakhu Monkey Temple in Shimla. Travel in Himachal Pradesh: exploring an old British Empire Hill station in Shimla with packs of monkeys, misty mountains, and Indian street food.

Buying fried snacks at a market in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh

Buying baked and fried snacks at a street market in Shimla. Travel in Himachal Pradesh: exploring an old British Empire Hill station in Shimla with packs of monkeys, misty mountains, and Indian street food.

Monkey grooming the fur of a baby monkey in Shimla, India

Monkey grooming the fur of a baby monkey in Shimla. Travel in Himachal Pradesh: exploring an old British Empire Hill station in Shimla with packs of monkeys, misty mountains, and Indian street food.

Jumping monkey in Shimla; Himachal Pradesh, India

A monkey jumping from the roof of a building into a pine tree in Shimla. Travel in Himachal Pradesh: exploring an old British Empire Hill station in Shimla with packs of monkeys, misty mountains, and Indian street food.

Indian restaurant in Shimla; Himachal Pradesh, India

Indian restaurant at a street market in Shimla. Travel in Himachal Pradesh: exploring an old British Empire Hill station in Shimla with packs of monkeys, misty mountains, and Indian street food.

Indian cookies and cakes for sale at a market in Shimla, Himacha

Baked and fried snacks for sale at a street market in Shimla. Travel in Himachal Pradesh: exploring an old British Empire Hill station in Shimla with packs of monkeys, misty mountains, and Indian street food.

Chana masala at an Indian restaurant in Shimla;

Indian man making a huge tray full of chana masala (curry with chickpeas) at a restaurant in Shimla. Travel in Himachal Pradesh: exploring an old British Empire Hill station in Shimla with packs of monkeys, misty mountains, and Indian street food.

Indian street beggar in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh

An Indian sadhu begs for spare change near a street market in Shimla. Travel in Himachal Pradesh: exploring an old British Empire Hill station in Shimla with packs of monkeys, misty mountains, and Indian street food.

Fried snacks for sale at a street market in Shimla, Himachal Pra

Indian restaurant near a busy street market in Shimla. Travel in Himachal Pradesh: exploring an old British Empire Hill station in Shimla with packs of monkeys, misty mountains, and Indian street food.

Indian sadhus beg on the street in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh

Two Indian sadhus beg for spare change near a street market in Shimla. Travel in Himachal Pradesh: exploring an old British Empire Hill station in Shimla with packs of monkeys, misty mountains, and Indian street food.

Foggy forest on a gloomy day in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh

Towering trees in a misty park on the hike to the Jakhu Monkey Temple in Shimla. Travel in Himachal Pradesh: exploring an old British Empire Hill station in Shimla with packs of monkeys, misty mountains, and Indian street food.

Chana masala and potato cakes at an Indian restaurant in Shimla;

An Indian restaurant owner cooks potato cakes and chana masala (chickpea curry) at an authentic Indian restaurant in Shimla. Travel in Himachal Pradesh: exploring an old British Empire Hill station in Shimla with packs of monkeys, misty mountains, and Indian street food.

Indian men playing the guitar in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh

Two Indian men playing the guitar at a small convenience store in Shimla. Travel in Himachal Pradesh: exploring an old British Empire Hill station in Shimla with packs of monkeys, misty mountains, and Indian street food.

Foggy trees on a gloomy hillside in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh

A foggy hillside near the Jakhu Monkey Temple in Shimla. Travel in Himachal Pradesh: exploring an old British Empire Hill station in Shimla with packs of monkeys, misty mountains, and Indian street food.

Climbing the trail to the Jakhu Monkey Temple in Shimla on a fog

A man climbs the steep stairs to the Jakhu Monkey Temple in Shimla on a gloomy, foggy day. Travel in Himachal Pradesh: exploring an old British Empire Hill station in Shimla with packs of monkeys, misty mountains, and Indian street food.

Portrait of Hanuman, the Monkey god at the Jakhu Monkey Temple i

Portrait of Hanuman, the monkey god on the wall of the Jakhu Monkey Temple in Shimla. Travel in Himachal Pradesh: exploring an old British Empire Hill station in Shimla with packs of monkeys, misty mountains, and Indian street food.

Monkeys wait outside the Jakhu Monkey Temple in Shimla, Himachal

A caretaker at the Jakhu Monkey Temple in Shimla feeds snacks to a pack of monkeys. Travel in Himachal Pradesh: exploring an old British Empire Hill station in Shimla with packs of monkeys, misty mountains, and Indian street food.

Portrait of Hanuman, the Monkey god at the Jakhu Monkey Temple i

A sculpture of Hanuman, the monkey god ripping his chest open at the Jakhu Monkey Temple in Shimla. Travel in Himachal Pradesh: exploring an old British Empire Hill station in Shimla with packs of monkeys, misty mountains, and Indian street food.

Monkeys beg for food at the Jakhu Monkey Temple in Shimla, Himac

The caretaker of the Jakhu Monkey Temple in Shimla feeds snacks to a pack of begging monkeys. Travel in Himachal Pradesh: exploring an old British Empire Hill station in Shimla with packs of monkeys, misty mountains, and Indian street food.

Monkey snatches food at the Jakhu Monkey Temple in Shimla, Himac

A monkey snatches a handful of snacks at the Jakhu Monkey Temple in Shimla. Travel in Himachal Pradesh: exploring an old British Empire Hill station in Shimla with packs of monkeys, misty mountains, and Indian street food.

Monkey eating snacks at the Jakhu Monkey Temple in Shimla, Himac

A monkey munches on a handful of snacks at the Jakhu Monkey Temple in Shimla. Travel in Himachal Pradesh: exploring an old British Empire Hill station in Shimla with packs of monkeys, misty mountains, and Indian street food.

Bronze statue of Mahatma Gandhi on a foggy day in Shimla, India

A bronze statue of Mahatma Gandhi glows golden on a misty afternoon in the Shimla square. Travel in Himachal Pradesh: exploring an old British Empire Hill station in Shimla with packs of monkeys, misty mountains, and Indian street food.

Foggy day in the forest near Shimla, Himachal Pradesh in India

Foggy hillside, dense with trees near the Jakhu Monkey Temple in Shimla. Travel in Himachal Pradesh: exploring an old British Empire Hill station in Shimla with packs of monkeys, misty mountains, and Indian street food.

Monkey portrait on the street in Shimla; Himachal Pradesh, India

Portrait of a monkey on the streets of Shimla near the Jakhu Monkey Temple. Travel in Himachal Pradesh: exploring an old British Empire Hill station in Shimla with packs of monkeys, misty mountains, and Indian street food.

Indian man feeding snacks to a wild monkey on the street in Shim

A monkey munches snacks on the path to the Jakhu Monkey Temple in Shimla. Travel in Himachal Pradesh: exploring an old British Empire Hill station in Shimla with packs of monkeys, misty mountains, and Indian street food.

Foggy day at the main square of Shimla; Himachal Pradesh, India

A very foggy day at the main square in Shimla. Travel in Himachal Pradesh: exploring an old British Empire Hill station in Shimla with packs of monkeys, misty mountains, and Indian street food.

Foggy day at Shimla, a former Hill Station of the British Empire

Foggy hillside on a cloudy day in Shimla. Travel in Himachal Pradesh: exploring an old British Empire Hill station in Shimla with packs of monkeys, misty mountains, and Indian street food.

Shimla monkey looking for food in Himachal Pradesh, India

Shimla monkey sitting on the top of a roof overlooking the city. Travel in Himachal Pradesh: exploring an old British Empire Hill station in Shimla with packs of monkeys, misty mountains, and Indian street food.

Monkey prepares to jump in Shimla; Himachal Pradesh, India

Monkey preparing to jump from the roof of a building into a pine tree in Shimla. Travel in Himachal Pradesh: exploring an old British Empire Hill station in Shimla with packs of monkeys, misty mountains, and Indian street food.

Steeple of a house in Shimla, a Hill Station in Himachal Pradesh

Himalayan foothills and a green steeple of a roof in Shimla. Travel in Himachal Pradesh: exploring an old British Empire Hill station in Shimla with packs of monkeys, misty mountains, and Indian street food.

Fried peanuts for sale at a street market in Shimla; Himachal Pr

Golden fried peanuts for sale at a street market in Shimla. Travel in Himachal Pradesh: exploring an old British Empire Hill station in Shimla with packs of monkeys, misty mountains, and Indian street food.

Monkey in a tree in Shimla, a Hill Station in Himachal Pradesh,

Monkey sitting in a tree above a busy street in Shimla. Travel in Himachal Pradesh: exploring an old British Empire Hill station in Shimla with packs of monkeys, misty mountains, and Indian street food.

Crowded street in Shimla, a Hill Station in Himachal Pradesh, In

Busy street near the Shimla town square. Travel in Himachal Pradesh: exploring an old British Empire Hill station in Shimla with packs of monkeys, misty mountains, and Indian street food.

An Indian man walks by a pack of monkeys on a foggy day in Shiml

An Indian man walking towards the Shimla square past a group of monkeys. Travel in Himachal Pradesh: exploring an old British Empire Hill station in Shimla with packs of monkeys, misty mountains, and Indian street food.

Giant orange monkey on the street in Shimla; Himachal Pradesh, I

A giant orange monkey growls at the camera on the street in Shimla. Travel in Himachal Pradesh: exploring an old British Empire Hill station in Shimla with packs of monkeys, misty mountains, and Indian street food.

Hindu statues near the Jakhu Monkey Temple in Shimla, Himachal P

Hindu statues on a misty afternoon near the Jakhu Monkey Temple in Shimla. Travel in Himachal Pradesh: exploring an old British Empire Hill station in Shimla with packs of monkeys, misty mountains, and Indian street food.

Monkey eating grass on a foggy day in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh

A monkey eating grass near the Jakhu Monkey Temple in Shimla on a foggy afternoon. Travel in Himachal Pradesh: exploring an old British Empire Hill station in Shimla with packs of monkeys, misty mountains, and Indian street food.

Fried dough at a snack market in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh

Making fried dough snacks at an Indian restaurant in Shimla. Travel in Himachal Pradesh: exploring an old British Empire Hill station in Shimla with packs of monkeys, misty mountains, and Indian street food.

Sunset over the Hill Station in Shimla; Himachal Pradesh, India

Sunset view of the main city of Shimla. Taking the Shivalik Express 'Toy Train' through the Himalayan foothills of Shimla in Himachal Pradesh to Kalka; a UNESCO World Heritage site in India.

Interior view of the 'Toy Train' from Shimla in Himachal Pradesh

Interior view of a Shivalik Express passenger coach. Taking the Shivalik Express 'Toy Train' through the Himalayan foothills of Shimla in Himachal Pradesh to Kalka; a UNESCO World Heritage site in India.

Shimla 'Toy Train' races through the mountains of Himachal Prade

Green vegetation blurs past the window of the Shivalik Express as it leaves Shimla. Taking the Shivalik Express 'Toy Train' through the Himalayan foothills of Shimla in Himachal Pradesh to Kalka; a UNESCO World Heritage site in India.

Passengers inside the Shimla 'Toy Train' in Himachal Pradesh, In

An Indian boy looks outside the window of the Shivalik Express as it speeds through the Himalayan foothills from Shimla. Taking the Shivalik Express 'Toy Train' through the Himalayan foothills of Shimla in Himachal Pradesh to Kalka; a UNESCO World Heritage site in India.

Indian boy looking out the window of the Shimla 'Toy Train' in H

An Indian boy watches the green Himalayan foothills speed by outside the window of the Shivalik Express 'Toy Train'. Taking the Shivalik Express 'Toy Train' through the Himalayan foothills of Shimla in Himachal Pradesh to Kalka; a UNESCO World Heritage site in India.

Inside the Shimla 'Toy Train' in Himachal Pradesh, India

Passengers on the Shivalik Express having tea and coffee as the Himalayan foothills blur outside the window. Taking the Shivalik Express 'Toy Train' through the Himalayan foothills of Shimla in Himachal Pradesh to Kalka; a UNESCO World Heritage site in India.

Train station near Shimla for the 'Toy Train' in Himachal Prades

Train station near Shimla. Taking the Shivalik Express 'Toy Train' through the Himalayan foothills of Shimla in Himachal Pradesh to Kalka; a UNESCO World Heritage site in India.

Indian boy smiling out the window of the Shivalik Express in Him

An Indian boy smiles as he looks out the window of the Shivalik Express speeding through the Himalayan foothills away from Shimla. Taking the Shivalik Express 'Toy Train' through the Himalayan foothills of Shimla in Himachal Pradesh to Kalka; a UNESCO World Heritage site in India.

The Shivalik Express enters a tunnel through the mountains of Hi

The Shivalik Express enters a Himalayan brick tunnel on the way to Kalka. Taking the Shivalik Express 'Toy Train' through the Himalayan foothills of Shimla in Himachal Pradesh to Kalka; a UNESCO World Heritage site in India.

Night falls over the Himalayan foothills as the Shimla 'Toy Trai

Misty evening on the Shivalik Express 'Toy Train' as it passes through the Himalayan foothills away from Shimla. Taking the Shivalik Express 'Toy Train' through the Himalayan foothills of Shimla in Himachal Pradesh to Kalka; a UNESCO World Heritage site in India.

Shimla 'Toy Train' speeds through the mountains of Himachal Prad

Passengers looking out the window of the Shivalik Express from Shimla. Taking the Shivalik Express 'Toy Train' through the Himalayan foothills of Shimla in Himachal Pradesh to Kalka; a UNESCO World Heritage site in India.

Shimla 'Toy Train' races along a foggy mountain in Himachal Prad

Night falls in the Himalayan foothills as the Shivalik Express speeds away from Shimla. Taking the Shivalik Express 'Toy Train' through the Himalayan foothills of Shimla in Himachal Pradesh to Kalka; a UNESCO World Heritage site in India.

Philippines surf boat trip: Outrigger bangka & surf boards

An outrigger "pump boat" bangka with surf boards and blue water on the way to Rock Island near Cloud 9. Philippines surf trip to Siargao Island; Surigao del Norte in Mindanao.

Surf boat trip near Siargao Island, Philippines

Corey grabs her board from the outrigger of a pump boat near Cloud 9 in Siargao. Philippines surf trip to Siargao Island; Surigao del Norte in Mindanao.

Siargao Island surf boat near Cloud 9

Nice waves, blue water and blue skies from the Ocean 101 surf boat at Rock Island near Cloud 9. Philippines surf trip to Siargao Island; Surigao del Norte in Mindanao.

Blue water boat trip to surf near Cloud 9, Siargao

Sande catching the Ocean 101 surf boat to Rock Island near Cloud 9. Philippines surf trip to Siargao Island; Surigao del Norte in Mindanao.

Filipino surfer catches a nice wave at Quicksilver; Cloud 9, Sia

A local Filipino surfer drops in on a steep wave near Cloud 9. Philippines surf trip to Siargao Island; Surigao del Norte in Mindanao.

Filipino surfer wipeout at Quicksilver; Cloud 9, Siargao

A Filipino surfer wipes out on a big wave near Cloud 9 at sunset. Philippines surf trip to Siargao Island; Surigao del Norte in Mindanao.

Philippines surf boat trip near Cloud 9; Siargao Island

Corey catches the Ocean 101 surf boat back from a session at Rock Island near Cloud 9. Philippines surf trip to Siargao Island; Surigao del Norte in Mindanao.

Siargao beach sunrise: Big waves behind the pier to Cloud 9

An orange Pacific Ocean beach sunrise behind a surfer on the Cloud 9 surf pier. Philippines surf trip to Siargao Island; Surigao del Norte in Mindanao.

Filipino surfer surfing a nice wave at Quicksilver; Cloud 9, Sia

A surfer paddling out towards the wave near Cloud 9 in Siargao. Philippines surf trip to Siargao Island; Surigao del Norte in Mindanao.

Tropical beach sunset over Cloud 9 surf pier; Siargao

Beach sunset behind the palm trees at the Cloud 9 surfing pier in Siargao. Philippines surf trip to Siargao Island; Surigao del Norte in Mindanao.

Ocean sunrise and big waves at Cloud 9; Siargao Island

Sunrise over the Pacific Ocean behind the surf pier at Cloud 9 with a surfer silhoetted against the sky. Philippines surf trip to Siargao Island; Surigao del Norte in Mindanao.

Big waves at Cloud 9 - Siargao Island, Philippines

Surfer catching a big wave at Cloud 9 in Siargao. Philippines surf trip to Siargao Island; Surigao del Norte in Mindanao.

Sunset surf trip to Cloud 9; Siargao Island, Philippines

Surfers walking the Cloud 9 surf pier as the beach sunset glows behind palm trees on the shoreline. Philippines surf trip to Siargao Island; Surigao del Norte in Mindanao.

Blue water big wave surfing near Cloud 9; Siargao Island

Alex makes a bottom turn on a big blue water wave at Rock Island near Cloud 9 in Siargao. Philippines surf trip to Siargao Island; Surigao del Norte in Mindanao.

Philippines blue water surf travel to Siargao Island, Mindanao

A Hawaiian surfer paddling away from an outrigger "bangka" surf boat to surf Rock Island near Cloud 9. Philippines surf trip to Siargao Island; Surigao del Norte in Mindanao.

Beach sunset on the pier to Cloud 9, Siargao

Philippine Island beach sunset behind palm trees at the Cloud 9 surfing pier. Philippines surf trip to Siargao Island; Surigao del Norte in Mindanao.

Surfer girl resting between waves; Siargao, Philippines

A Filipino surfer girl takes a nap on a surf boat from Ocean 101 between waves near Cloud 9 in Siargao. Philippines surf trip to Siargao Island; Surigao del Norte in Mindanao.

Filipino boy surfing a small wave at Cloud 9; Siargao Island

A Filipino grom catching a small wave near Cloud 9 in Siargao. Philippines surf trip to Siargao Island; Surigao del Norte in Mindanao.

Ocean sunset at Cloud 9 pier; Siargao Island surf trip

Pacific Ocean sunset from the Cloud 9 surfing pier in Siargao. Philippines surf trip to Siargao Island; Surigao del Norte in Mindanao.

Philippine beach sunset at the Cloud 9 pier; Siargao surf trip

Beach sunset view from the Siargao Cloud 9 surf pier. Philippines surf trip to Siargao Island; Surigao del Norte in Mindanao.

Pacific ocean sunrise at Cloud 9 pier; Siargao Island, Philippin

Australian surfer walking the Cloud 9 surf pier while the sun rises above the Pacific Ocean. Philippines surf trip to Siargao Island; Surigao del Norte in Mindanao.

Surf boat trip near Cloud 9; Siargao Island, Philippines

Surf boards, blue water, and the Ocean 101 surf boat to Rock Island near Cloud 9 in Siargao. Philippines surf trip to Siargao Island; Surigao del Norte in Mindanao.

Blue water surf travel to Siargao Island, Philippines

Surfers getting ready to surf Rock Island near Cloud 9. Philippines surf trip to Siargao Island; Surigao del Norte in Mindanao.

Surfing near Cloud 9 on Siargao Island, Philippines

Surfer jumping into the Pacific Ocean from an Ocean 101 surf boat at Rock Island near Cloud 9. Philippines surf trip to Siargao Island; Surigao del Norte in Mindanao.

Local surfer at Rock Island near Cloud 9; Siargao surf travel

A Filipino surfer girl at Rock Island near Cloud 9 in Siargao. Philippines surf trip to Siargao Island; Surigao del Norte in Mindanao.

Big wave at Cloud 9; Siargao surf travel

Surfer catching a big wave at sunset; Cloud 9, Siargao. Philippines surf trip to Siargao Island; Surigao del Norte in Mindanao.

Surfing a blue water wave near Cloud 9; Siargao Island, Philippi

Alex cuts back on a blue water wave at Rock Island near Cloud 9 in Siargao. Philippines surf trip to Siargao Island; Surigao del Norte in Mindanao.

Philippine Island sunrise over the Cloud 9 pier; Siargao Island,

Pacific Ocean sunrise with a surfer silhoetted against an orange sky and palm trees at the Cloud 9 pier. Philippines surf trip to Siargao Island; Surigao del Norte in Mindanao.

Pacific beach sunrise at Cloud 9 pier; Siargao Island, Philippin

Ocean sunrise over the Pacific with a surfer silhoetted against the Cloud 9 surf pier and an orange sky. Philippines surf trip to Siargao Island; Surigao del Norte in Mindanao.

Pacific Ocean sunset at Cloud 9; Siargao Island

Sunset ocean view from the surfing pier at Cloud 9. Philippines surf trip to Siargao Island; Surigao del Norte in Mindanao.

Siargao Island sunrise at the Cloud 9 surf pier

Pacific ocean sunrise at the Cloud 9 surfing pier in Siargao. Philippines surf trip to Siargao Island; Surigao del Norte in Mindanao.

Local Filipino surfer near Cloud 9; Siargao Island

Local Filipino surfer dropping in on a blue water wave at Rock Island near Cloud 9 in Siargao. Philippines surf trip to Siargao Island; Surigao del Norte in Mindanao.

Surf travel to Siargao; Boat trip to Cebu City

Arriving in Cebu after the overnight ferry boat from Surigao to Cebu City. Philippines surf trip to Siargao Island; Surigao del Norte in Mindanao.

Philippines surf travel; Leaving Cebu Port from Surigao boat tri

Sande walking with his surf board on the street in Cebu city after a surf trip to Siargao. Philippines surf trip to Siargao Island; Surigao del Norte in Mindanao.

Blue water surf trip near Cloud 9; Siargao Island

Corey catches the Ocean 101 surf boat to Rock Island near Cloud 9. Philippines surf trip to Siargao Island; Surigao del Norte in Mindanao.

Blue water surf trip to Siargao Island, Philippines

Sande waxing his surf board on the surf bangka boat from Ocean 101 in Cloud 9. Philippines surf trip to Siargao Island; Surigao del Norte in Mindanao.

Blue water surf boat trip near Siargao Island, Philippines

Blue water, blue skies, and the Ocean 101 surf boat to Rock Island near Cloud 9. Philippines surf trip to Siargao Island; Surigao del Norte in Mindanao.

Golden sunrise at the Taj Mahal in Agra; Uttar Pradesh, India

Golden sunrise at the Taj Mahal with the Taj reflected in the reflecting pool. Visiting India's most famous destination, the Taj Mahal in Agra, Uttar Pradesh. The Taj was comissioned by Shah Jahan as a mausoleum for his third wife who died in 1631. Begun in 1632 and completed in 1653, the Taj Mahal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and considered one of the eight wonders of the world.

Hindu Huckleberry Finn at the Taj Mahal in Agra; Uttar Pradesh,

Portrait of the mischeivous 'Hindu Huckleberry Finn' smiling for the camera from his camel on the banks of the Yamuna River behind the Taj Mahal at sunset. Visiting India's most famous destination, the Taj Mahal in Agra, Uttar Pradesh. The Taj was comissioned by Shah Jahan as a mausoleum for his third wife who died in 1631. Begun in 1632 and completed in 1653, the Taj Mahal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and considered one of the eight wonders of the world.

Purple sunset at the Taj Mahal in Agra; Uttar Pradesh, India

A cool purple sunset at the Taj Mahal while the last tourists of the day explore India's most recognizeable tourist spot. Visiting India's most famous destination, the Taj Mahal in Agra, Uttar Pradesh. The Taj was comissioned by Shah Jahan as a mausoleum for his third wife who died in 1631. Begun in 1632 and completed in 1653, the Taj Mahal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and considered one of the eight wonders of the world.

Sunset over Agra and the Taj Mahal in Uttar Pradesh, India

The sun sets over the crowded urbanized areas of Agra with the Taj Mahal in the background. Visiting India's most famous destination, the Taj Mahal in Agra, Uttar Pradesh. The Taj was comissioned by Shah Jahan as a mausoleum for his third wife who died in 1631. Begun in 1632 and completed in 1653, the Taj Mahal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and considered one of the eight wonders of the world.

India's top travel destination: Taj Mahal at sunrise in Agra

Golden sunrise at the Taj Mahal viewed from the reflecting pool in front of the mausoleum. Visiting India's most famous destination, the Taj Mahal in Agra, Uttar Pradesh. The Taj was comissioned by Shah Jahan as a mausoleum for his third wife who died in 1631. Begun in 1632 and completed in 1653, the Taj Mahal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and considered one of the eight wonders of the world.

The shaded grounds of the Taj Mahal in Agra; Uttar Pradesh, Indi

A tourist rests on a bench located in the shade of a tall tree on the manicured grounds of the Taj Mahal. Visiting India's most famous destination, the Taj Mahal in Agra, Uttar Pradesh. The Taj was comissioned by Shah Jahan as a mausoleum for his third wife who died in 1631. Begun in 1632 and completed in 1653, the Taj Mahal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and considered one of the eight wonders of the world.

Taj Mahal at sunset in Agra; Uttar Pradesh, India

Sunset visit to the Taj Mahal. Visiting India's most famous destination, the Taj Mahal in Agra, Uttar Pradesh. The Taj was comissioned by Shah Jahan as a mausoleum for his third wife who died in 1631. Begun in 1632 and completed in 1653, the Taj Mahal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and considered one of the eight wonders of the world.

Tajmahal sunset in Agra; Uttar Pradesh, India

A purple sunset at India's Taj Mahal. Visiting India's most famous destination, the Taj Mahal in Agra, Uttar Pradesh. The Taj was comissioned by Shah Jahan as a mausoleum for his third wife who died in 1631. Begun in 1632 and completed in 1653, the Taj Mahal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and considered one of the eight wonders of the world.

India travel: Taj Mahal at sunrise in Agra, Uttar Pradesh

Panoramic view of the Taj Mahal at sunrise, reflected in the still waters of the reflecting pool. Visiting India's most famous destination, the Taj Mahal in Agra, Uttar Pradesh. The Taj was comissioned by Shah Jahan as a mausoleum for his third wife who died in 1631. Begun in 1632 and completed in 1653, the Taj Mahal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and considered one of the eight wonders of the world.

Orange Taj Mahal sunset in Agra; Uttar Pradesh, India

Close-up view of the Taj Mahal at sunset. Visiting India's most famous destination, the Taj Mahal in Agra, Uttar Pradesh. The Taj was comissioned by Shah Jahan as a mausoleum for his third wife who died in 1631. Begun in 1632 and completed in 1653, the Taj Mahal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and considered one of the eight wonders of the world.

Taj Mahal golden sunrise in Agra; Uttar Pradesh, India

Sunrise view of the Taj Mahal reflected in the reflecting pool as the first tourists arrive at 6:00 a.m.. Visiting India's most famous destination, the Taj Mahal in Agra, Uttar Pradesh. The Taj was comissioned by Shah Jahan as a mausoleum for his third wife who died in 1631. Begun in 1632 and completed in 1653, the Taj Mahal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and considered one of the eight wonders of the world.

Indian Huckleberry Finn beside the river at the Taj Mahal in Agr

The Hindu Huckleberry Finn laughing at the camera from across the Yamuna River. I met this mischeivous boy riding his camel along the banks of the river as the sun was setting to the West of the Taj Mahal before I left on the night train to Varanasi. Visiting India's most famous destination, the Taj Mahal in Agra, Uttar Pradesh. The Taj was comissioned by Shah Jahan as a mausoleum for his third wife who died in 1631. Begun in 1632 and completed in 1653, the Taj Mahal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and considered one of the eight wonders of the world.

Indian boy with camel at the Taj Mahal in Agra, Uttar Pradesh

An Indian boy poses with his camel on the banks of the Yamuna River with the Taj Mahal in the background. Visiting India's most famous destination, the Taj Mahal in Agra, Uttar Pradesh. The Taj was comissioned by Shah Jahan as a mausoleum for his third wife who died in 1631. Begun in 1632 and completed in 1653, the Taj Mahal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and considered one of the eight wonders of the world.

Taj Mahal beside the Yamuna River at sunset in Agra, India

Yamuna River sunset view of the Taj Mahal reflected in the still water. Visiting India's most famous destination, the Taj Mahal in Agra, Uttar Pradesh. The Taj was comissioned by Shah Jahan as a mausoleum for his third wife who died in 1631. Begun in 1632 and completed in 1653, the Taj Mahal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and considered one of the eight wonders of the world.

Camel and Indian boy beside the river at the Taj Mahal in Agra

An Indian boy with his camel rests on the banks of the Yamuna River with the Taj Mahal in the background. Visiting India's most famous destination, the Taj Mahal in Agra, Uttar Pradesh. The Taj was comissioned by Shah Jahan as a mausoleum for his third wife who died in 1631. Begun in 1632 and completed in 1653, the Taj Mahal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and considered one of the eight wonders of the world.

Rooftops of Agra with the Taj Mahal in the background, India

Crowded Agra buildings surround the Taj Mahal. Visiting India's most famous destination, the Taj Mahal in Agra, Uttar Pradesh. The Taj was comissioned by Shah Jahan as a mausoleum for his third wife who died in 1631. Begun in 1632 and completed in 1653, the Taj Mahal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and considered one of the eight wonders of the world.

Camel walking in front of the Taj Mahal in Agra, India

A camel passes in front of the Taj Mahal on the banks of the Yamuna River. Visiting India's most famous destination, the Taj Mahal in Agra, Uttar Pradesh. The Taj was comissioned by Shah Jahan as a mausoleum for his third wife who died in 1631. Begun in 1632 and completed in 1653, the Taj Mahal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and considered one of the eight wonders of the world.

Taj Mahal sunset river crossing in Agra, India

An Indian boatman rows his skiff across the Yamuna River with the Taj Mahal in the background. Visiting India's most famous destination, the Taj Mahal in Agra, Uttar Pradesh. The Taj was comissioned by Shah Jahan as a mausoleum for his third wife who died in 1631. Begun in 1632 and completed in 1653, the Taj Mahal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and considered one of the eight wonders of the world.

Indian tourists at the Taj Mahal in Agra; Uttar Pradesh, India

Indian tourists pose for the camera on a white marble bench in front of the Taj Mahal. Visiting India's most famous destination, the Taj Mahal in Agra, Uttar Pradesh. The Taj was comissioned by Shah Jahan as a mausoleum for his third wife who died in 1631. Begun in 1632 and completed in 1653, the Taj Mahal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and considered one of the eight wonders of the world.

Modern buildings surround the Taj Mahal in Agra; Uttar Pradesh,

Urban blight surrounds the Taj Mahal in Agra with densely-packed buildings crowding in for a view. Visiting India's most famous destination, the Taj Mahal in Agra, Uttar Pradesh. The Taj was comissioned by Shah Jahan as a mausoleum for his third wife who died in 1631. Begun in 1632 and completed in 1653, the Taj Mahal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and considered one of the eight wonders of the world.

Tajmahal at sunset in Agra; Uttar Pradesh, India

Darkened skies above the Taj Mahal at sunset in Agra. Visiting India's most famous destination, the Taj Mahal in Agra, Uttar Pradesh. The Taj was comissioned by Shah Jahan as a mausoleum for his third wife who died in 1631. Begun in 1632 and completed in 1653, the Taj Mahal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and considered one of the eight wonders of the world.

Dusk at the Taj Mahal in Agra; Uttar Pradesh, India

Purple dusk of sunset at the Taj Mahal. Visiting India's most famous destination, the Taj Mahal in Agra, Uttar Pradesh. The Taj was comissioned by Shah Jahan as a mausoleum for his third wife who died in 1631. Begun in 1632 and completed in 1653, the Taj Mahal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and considered one of the eight wonders of the world.

Golden sunset behind the Taj Mahal in Agra, Uttar Pradesh

Taj Mahal at sunset surrounded by a flock of birds. Visiting India's most famous destination, the Taj Mahal in Agra, Uttar Pradesh. The Taj was comissioned by Shah Jahan as a mausoleum for his third wife who died in 1631. Begun in 1632 and completed in 1653, the Taj Mahal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and considered one of the eight wonders of the world.

Blue Taj Mahal sunset in Agra; Uttar Pradesh, India

Shades of blue and purple create a dramatic background for the Taj Mahal at sunset in Agra. Visiting India's most famous destination, the Taj Mahal in Agra, Uttar Pradesh. The Taj was comissioned by Shah Jahan as a mausoleum for his third wife who died in 1631. Begun in 1632 and completed in 1653, the Taj Mahal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and considered one of the eight wonders of the world.

Taj Mahal sunrise in Agra; Uttar Pradesh, India

Golden sunrise reflection of the Taj Mahal just minutes after the gates have opened and tourists begin to enter. Visiting India's most famous destination, the Taj Mahal in Agra, Uttar Pradesh. The Taj was comissioned by Shah Jahan as a mausoleum for his third wife who died in 1631. Begun in 1632 and completed in 1653, the Taj Mahal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and considered one of the eight wonders of the world.

Exterior close up of the Taj Mahal in Agra; Uttar Pradesh, India

Close-up view of the Taj Mahal exterior at sunrise in Agra. Visiting India's most famous destination, the Taj Mahal in Agra, Uttar Pradesh. The Taj was comissioned by Shah Jahan as a mausoleum for his third wife who died in 1631. Begun in 1632 and completed in 1653, the Taj Mahal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and considered one of the eight wonders of the world.

Manicured grounds of the Taj Mahal in Agra; Uttar Pradesh, India

Panoramic, wide-angle view of the manicured Taj Mahal grounds at sunrise. Visiting India's most famous destination, the Taj Mahal in Agra, Uttar Pradesh. The Taj was comissioned by Shah Jahan as a mausoleum for his third wife who died in 1631. Begun in 1632 and completed in 1653, the Taj Mahal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and considered one of the eight wonders of the world.

Taj Mahal exterior close up in Agra; Uttar Pradesh, India

Wide-angle exterior view of the entrance to the Taj Mahal at sunrise as the first tourists enter the mausoleum. Visiting India's most famous destination, the Taj Mahal in Agra, Uttar Pradesh. The Taj was comissioned by Shah Jahan as a mausoleum for his third wife who died in 1631. Begun in 1632 and completed in 1653, the Taj Mahal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and considered one of the eight wonders of the world.

Taj Mahal details: inlaid walls and tower; Agra, India

Indian tourists walk barefoot across the polished stone walkways of the Taj Mahal exterior in Agra. Visiting India's most famous destination, the Taj Mahal in Agra, Uttar Pradesh. The Taj was comissioned by Shah Jahan as a mausoleum for his third wife who died in 1631. Begun in 1632 and completed in 1653, the Taj Mahal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and considered one of the eight wonders of the world.

Indian tourists rest at the Taj Mahal in Agra; Uttar Pradesh, In

Indian women in saris rest outside the entrance to the Taj Mahal. Visiting India's most famous destination, the Taj Mahal in Agra, Uttar Pradesh. The Taj was comissioned by Shah Jahan as a mausoleum for his third wife who died in 1631. Begun in 1632 and completed in 1653, the Taj Mahal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and considered one of the eight wonders of the world.

Front of the Taj Mahal in Agra; Uttar Pradesh, India

Wide angle view of the Taj Mahal exterior with one of its towering minarets. Visiting India's most famous destination, the Taj Mahal in Agra, Uttar Pradesh. The Taj was comissioned by Shah Jahan as a mausoleum for his third wife who died in 1631. Begun in 1632 and completed in 1653, the Taj Mahal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and considered one of the eight wonders of the world.

Outside the Taj Mahal: It's smaller than you think it is

Wide angle perspective view of the Taj Mahal at sunrise. Visiting India's most famous destination, the Taj Mahal in Agra, Uttar Pradesh. The Taj was comissioned by Shah Jahan as a mausoleum for his third wife who died in 1631. Begun in 1632 and completed in 1653, the Taj Mahal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and considered one of the eight wonders of the world.

Tourists at the Taj Mahal in Agra; Uttar Pradesh, India

Tourists rest on a white bench in front of the Taj Mahal at sunrise. Visiting India's most famous destination, the Taj Mahal in Agra, Uttar Pradesh. The Taj was comissioned by Shah Jahan as a mausoleum for his third wife who died in 1631. Begun in 1632 and completed in 1653, the Taj Mahal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and considered one of the eight wonders of the world.

Taj Mahal purple sunset in Agra; Uttar Pradesh, India

A purple sunset at the Taj Mahal, viewed from a rooftop in Agra, India. Visiting India's most famous destination, the Taj Mahal in Agra, Uttar Pradesh. The Taj was comissioned by Shah Jahan as a mausoleum for his third wife who died in 1631. Begun in 1632 and completed in 1653, the Taj Mahal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and considered one of the eight wonders of the world.

Sunrise visit to the Taj Mahal in Agra; Uttar Pradesh, India

Indian tourists walking towards the Taj Mahal, past the manicured lawn at sunrise in Agra. Visiting India's most famous destination, the Taj Mahal in Agra, Uttar Pradesh. The Taj was comissioned by Shah Jahan as a mausoleum for his third wife who died in 1631. Begun in 1632 and completed in 1653, the Taj Mahal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and considered one of the eight wonders of the world.

Agra sunset river crossing at the Taj Mahal; Uttar Pradesh, Indi

An Indian boatman poles a red, white, and green skiff across the Yamuna River behind the Taj Mahal in Agra. Visiting India's most famous destination, the Taj Mahal in Agra, Uttar Pradesh. The Taj was comissioned by Shah Jahan as a mausoleum for his third wife who died in 1631. Begun in 1632 and completed in 1653, the Taj Mahal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and considered one of the eight wonders of the world.

Reflection of the Taj Mahal in Agra; Uttar Pradesh, India

Purple sunset reflection of the Taj Mahal in the rippling waters of the Yamuna River in Agra. Visiting India's most famous destination, the Taj Mahal in Agra, Uttar Pradesh. The Taj was comissioned by Shah Jahan as a mausoleum for his third wife who died in 1631. Begun in 1632 and completed in 1653, the Taj Mahal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and considered one of the eight wonders of the world.

Indian river crossing at the Taj Mahal in Agra, Uttar Pradesh

An Indian boatman poles a brightly-colored skiff across the still water of the Yamuna River in Agra. Visiting India's most famous destination, the Taj Mahal in Agra, Uttar Pradesh. The Taj was comissioned by Shah Jahan as a mausoleum for his third wife who died in 1631. Begun in 1632 and completed in 1653, the Taj Mahal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and considered one of the eight wonders of the world.

Taj Mahal river reflection at sunset in Agra, India

River sunset reflection of the Taj Mahal in the waters of the Yamuna River in Agra. Visiting India's most famous destination, the Taj Mahal in Agra, Uttar Pradesh. The Taj was comissioned by Shah Jahan as a mausoleum for his third wife who died in 1631. Begun in 1632 and completed in 1653, the Taj Mahal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and considered one of the eight wonders of the world.

Golden Taj Mahal sunset reflection at the Yamuna River, India

Fading sunset on the dome of the Taj Mahal and reflected in the still water of the Yamuna River. Visiting India's most famous destination, the Taj Mahal in Agra, Uttar Pradesh. The Taj was comissioned by Shah Jahan as a mausoleum for his third wife who died in 1631. Begun in 1632 and completed in 1653, the Taj Mahal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and considered one of the eight wonders of the world.

Taj Mahal Yamuna River reflection in Agra, India

Night falls on the Taj Mahal on the banks of the Yamuna River in Agra. Visiting India's most famous destination, the Taj Mahal in Agra, Uttar Pradesh. The Taj was comissioned by Shah Jahan as a mausoleum for his third wife who died in 1631. Begun in 1632 and completed in 1653, the Taj Mahal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and considered one of the eight wonders of the world.

Indian boy with camel beside the river at the Taj Mahal

An Indian boy rests on the banks of the Yamuna River with his camel in Agra. Visiting India's most famous destination, the Taj Mahal in Agra, Uttar Pradesh. The Taj was comissioned by Shah Jahan as a mausoleum for his third wife who died in 1631. Begun in 1632 and completed in 1653, the Taj Mahal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and considered one of the eight wonders of the world.

Yamuna River sunset at the Taj Mahal in Agra, India

Panoramic wide-angle view of the Taj Mahal at sunset, reflected in the waters of the Yamuna River in Agra. Visiting India's most famous destination, the Taj Mahal in Agra, Uttar Pradesh. The Taj was comissioned by Shah Jahan as a mausoleum for his third wife who died in 1631. Begun in 1632 and completed in 1653, the Taj Mahal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and considered one of the eight wonders of the world.

Camel beside the river at sunset at the Taj Mahal in India

Camel silhoette in the still waters of the Yamuna River behind the Taj Mahal in Agra. Visiting India's most famous destination, the Taj Mahal in Agra, Uttar Pradesh. The Taj was comissioned by Shah Jahan as a mausoleum for his third wife who died in 1631. Begun in 1632 and completed in 1653, the Taj Mahal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and considered one of the eight wonders of the world.

Taj Mahal river crossing in Agra; Uttar Pradesh, India

Indian men crossing Yamuna River behind the Taj Mahal at sunset. Visiting India's most famous destination, the Taj Mahal in Agra, Uttar Pradesh. The Taj was comissioned by Shah Jahan as a mausoleum for his third wife who died in 1631. Begun in 1632 and completed in 1653, the Taj Mahal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and considered one of the eight wonders of the world.

Tajmahal river reflection in Agra; Uttar Pradesh, India

The Tajmahal reflected in the still water of the Yamuna River at sunset in India. Visiting India's most famous destination, the Taj Mahal in Agra, Uttar Pradesh. The Taj was comissioned by Shah Jahan as a mausoleum for his third wife who died in 1631. Begun in 1632 and completed in 1653, the Taj Mahal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and considered one of the eight wonders of the world.

Taj Mahal sunset river crossing in Agra; Uttar Pradesh, India

Indian men crossing the Yamuna River behind the Taj Mahal in a boat painted red, white, and green at sunset. Visiting India's most famous destination, the Taj Mahal in Agra, Uttar Pradesh. The Taj was comissioned by Shah Jahan as a mausoleum for his third wife who died in 1631. Begun in 1632 and completed in 1653, the Taj Mahal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and considered one of the eight wonders of the world.

Taj Mahal purple sunset at the Yamuna River in Agra, India

A purple glow surrounds the Taj Mahal as it is reflected in the still water of the Yamuna River. Visiting India's most famous destination, the Taj Mahal in Agra, Uttar Pradesh. The Taj was comissioned by Shah Jahan as a mausoleum for his third wife who died in 1631. Begun in 1632 and completed in 1653, the Taj Mahal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and considered one of the eight wonders of the world.

Indian boatman rowing across the river at the Taj Mahal in Agra,

An Indian boatman rows across the Yamuna River with the Taj Mahal in the background. Visiting India's most famous destination, the Taj Mahal in Agra, Uttar Pradesh. The Taj was comissioned by Shah Jahan as a mausoleum for his third wife who died in 1631. Begun in 1632 and completed in 1653, the Taj Mahal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and considered one of the eight wonders of the world.

Two Tibetan Buddhist monks with an umbrella on a rainy day in Dh

Two Tibetan monks in red robes walking under a rainbow-colored umbrella on a rainy day in McLeod Ganj. Exploring TIbetan culture in Dharamsala in Himachal Pradesh, the home of the Tibetan Government-in-exile and the 14th Dalai Lama in India.

Interior view of the Tibetan Buddhist temple at the Norbulingka

View of the main golden Buddha image inside the Tibetan Buddhist temple at the Norbulingka center for the preservation of Tibetan art, culture, and religion outside of McLeod Ganj. Exploring TIbetan culture in Dharamsala in Himachal Pradesh, the home of the Tibetan Government-in-exile and the 14th Dalai Lama in India.

Foggy sunrise at Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Dharamsala, India

A foggy afternoon at the Tibetan Buddhist monastery in McLeod Ganj in the Himalayan foothills of India. Exploring TIbetan culture in Dharamsala in Himachal Pradesh, the home of the Tibetan Government-in-exile and the 14th Dalai Lama in India.

Dharamsala Tibetan Buddhist temple at the Norbulingka, India

The main altar and golden image of the Buddha inside the Tibetan temple at the Norbulingka center for the preservation of Tibetan art, culture, and religion near McLeod Ganj. Exploring TIbetan culture in Dharamsala in Himachal Pradesh, the home of the Tibetan Government-in-exile and the 14th Dalai Lama in India.

Himachal Pradesh sunset from a Tibetan monastery in Dharamsala,

Sunset over the green Himalayan foothills outside McLeod Ganj in India. Exploring TIbetan culture in Dharamsala in Himachal Pradesh, the home of the Tibetan Government-in-exile and the 14th Dalai Lama in India.

Tibetan Buddhist monk sitting on a bench in Dharamsala, India

A Tibetan Buddhist monk resting on a park bench on the streets of McLeod Ganj in India. Exploring TIbetan culture in Dharamsala in Himachal Pradesh, the home of the Tibetan Government-in-exile and the 14th Dalai Lama in India.

Himachal Pradesh sunset in Dharamsala, India

Golden sunset over the green Himalayan foothills near a Tibetan Buddhist monastery in McLeod Ganj, India. Exploring TIbetan culture in Dharamsala in Himachal Pradesh, the home of the Tibetan Government-in-exile and the 14th Dalai Lama in India.

Indian Ambassador Classic taxi cab in Dharamsala, Himachal Prade

Rear-view of an Ambassador Classic taxi cab, the most common model of car used for taxis in India. Exploring TIbetan culture in Dharamsala in Himachal Pradesh, the home of the Tibetan Government-in-exile and the 14th Dalai Lama in India.

Two big brown slugs on a mossy wall in Dharamsala, India

Two huge brown slugs on a green, mossy wall in McLeod Ganj, India. Exploring TIbetan culture in Dharamsala in Himachal Pradesh, the home of the Tibetan Government-in-exile and the 14th Dalai Lama in India.

Misty blue sunset in the Himalayan foothills of Dharamsala, Indi

Trees silhoetted against the misty blue background of sunset in the Himalayan foothills outside of McLeod Ganj in India. Exploring TIbetan culture in Dharamsala in Himachal Pradesh, the home of the Tibetan Government-in-exile and the 14th Dalai Lama in India.

Tibetan Buddhist monk walking towards the Norbulingka in Dharams

Tibetan Buddhist monk in red robes walking the streets of McLeod Ganj in India. Exploring TIbetan culture in Dharamsala in Himachal Pradesh, the home of the Tibetan Government-in-exile and the 14th Dalai Lama in India.

Orange Dharamsala sunset in Himachal Pradesh, India

Fiery orange sunset behind the trees on a ridge in McLeod Ganj, located in the Indian Himalayan foothills. Exploring TIbetan culture in Dharamsala in Himachal Pradesh, the home of the Tibetan Government-in-exile and the 14th Dalai Lama in India.

Tibetan women in traditional dress walking in the streets of Dha

Three Tibetan women in traditional clothes walking the streets of McLeod Ganj in India. Exploring TIbetan culture in Dharamsala in Himachal Pradesh, the home of the Tibetan Government-in-exile and the 14th Dalai Lama in India.

Abstract golden Buddha at the Norbulingka in Dharamsala, India

Abstract zoom photo of the golden Buddha image inside the temple at the Norbulingka center for the preservation of Tibetan art, culture, and religion near McLeod Ganj. Exploring TIbetan culture in Dharamsala in Himachal Pradesh, the home of the Tibetan Government-in-exile and the 14th Dalai Lama in India.

Norbulingka Tibetan Buddhist Temple at Dharamsala, India

A quiet afternoon inside the Tibetan Buddhist temple at the Norbulingka center for the preservation of Tibetan art, culture, and religion near McLeod Ganj. Exploring TIbetan culture in Dharamsala in Himachal Pradesh, the home of the Tibetan Government-in-exile and the 14th Dalai Lama in India.

Ceremonial goblets and bowls at the Norbulingka Buddhist temple

Goblets and bowls on the main altar of the Tibetan Buddhist temple at the Norbulingka center for the preservation of Tibetan art, culture, and religion near McLeod Ganj in India. Exploring TIbetan culture in Dharamsala in Himachal Pradesh, the home of the Tibetan Government-in-exile and the 14th Dalai Lama in India.

Traditional Tibetan thangka painting at the Norbulingka in Dhara

A Tibetan painter carefully completes the details of a traditional thangka painting at the Norbulingka center for the preservation of Tibetan art, culture, and religion near McLeod Ganj. Exploring TIbetan culture in Dharamsala in Himachal Pradesh, the home of the Tibetan Government-in-exile and the 14th Dalai Lama in India.

Tibetan thanka paintings and a golden Buddha at the Norbulingka

Ornate carvings, thangka paintings and a golden image of the Buddha at the altar of the Tibetan Buddhist temple at the Norbulingka center for the preservation of Tibetan art, culture, and religion near McLeod Ganj. Exploring TIbetan culture in Dharamsala in Himachal Pradesh, the home of the Tibetan Government-in-exile and the 14th Dalai Lama in India.

Sunset over the Norbulingka, center of Tibetan culture in Dharam

Pink sunset over the Himalayan foothills outside McLeod Ganj in India. Exploring TIbetan culture in Dharamsala in Himachal Pradesh, the home of the Tibetan Government-in-exile and the 14th Dalai Lama in India.

Tibetan Buddhist monk sitting on a bench in Dharamsala, Himachal

Tibetan Buddhist monk resting on a bench on the streets of McLeod Ganj in India. Exploring TIbetan culture in Dharamsala in Himachal Pradesh, the home of the Tibetan Government-in-exile and the 14th Dalai Lama in India.

Foggy afternoon in Dharamsala; Himachal Pradesh, India

Cloudy afternoon in the Himalayan foothills of McLeod Ganj in India. Exploring TIbetan culture in Dharamsala in Himachal Pradesh, the home of the Tibetan Government-in-exile and the 14th Dalai Lama in India.

Thangka paintings and golden Buddha at the Norbulingka in Dharam

Peaceful afternoon at the Tibetan Buddhist temple at the Norbulingka center for the preservation of Tibetan art, culture, and religion near McLeod Ganj. Exploring TIbetan culture in Dharamsala in Himachal Pradesh, the home of the Tibetan Government-in-exile and the 14th Dalai Lama in India.

Misty blue sunset in the Himalayan foothills of Himachal Pradesh

Blue misty sunset in the Himalayan foothills of McLeod Ganj. Exploring TIbetan culture in Dharamsala in Himachal Pradesh, the home of the Tibetan Government-in-exile and the 14th Dalai Lama in India.

Golden Tibetan prayer wheels at the Norbulingka in Dharamsala, I

Spinning Tibetan prayer wheel at the Norbulingka center for the preservation of Tibetan art, culture, and religion near McLeod Ganj. Exploring TIbetan culture in Dharamsala in Himachal Pradesh, the home of the Tibetan Government-in-exile and the 14th Dalai Lama in India.

Golden Buddha and Tibetan thangka paintings at the Norbulingka i

Interior view of the main Buddhist temple at the Norbulingka center for the preservation of Tibetan art, culture, and religion near McLeod Ganj. Exploring TIbetan culture in Dharamsala in Himachal Pradesh, the home of the Tibetan Government-in-exile and the 14th Dalai Lama in India.

Tibetan Buddhist monk drawing a thangka painting at the Norbulin

Tibetan monk drawing a symmetrical thangka painting at the Norbulingka center for the preservation of Tibetan art, culture, and religion near McLeod Ganj. Exploring TIbetan culture in Dharamsala in Himachal Pradesh, the home of the Tibetan Government-in-exile and the 14th Dalai Lama in India.

Indian boys near the Norbulingka in Himachal Pradesh

Indian boys smiling on the street near the Norbulingka center for the preservation of Tibetan art, culture, and religion near McLeod Ganj. Exploring TIbetan culture in Dharamsala in Himachal Pradesh, the home of the Tibetan Government-in-exile and the 14th Dalai Lama in India.

Painter with a traditional Tibetan thangka painting at the Norbu

A Tibetan artist painting a traditional Buddhist thangka painting at the Norbulingka center for the preservation of Tibetan art, culture, and religion near McLeod Ganj. Exploring TIbetan culture in Dharamsala in Himachal Pradesh, the home of the Tibetan Government-in-exile and the 14th Dalai Lama in India.

Tibetan Buddhist monk portrait at a monastery in Dharamsala, Ind

A Tibetan monk at a Buddhist monastery in McLeod Ganj in the Himalayan foothills of India. Exploring TIbetan culture in Dharamsala in Himachal Pradesh, the home of the Tibetan Government-in-exile and the 14th Dalai Lama in India.

Ornate wooden doors of the Tibetan buddhist monastery in Ladakh,

Detail of the ornate red doorway of the Tibetan monastery in Likir. Experiencing Tibetan Buddhist culture at the Klu-kkhyil Gompa and Tibetan monastery in Likir village located in the rugged Himalayas outside Leh in Ladakh; Jammu and Kashmir, India.

Young TIbetan Buddhist monk at a monastery in Ladakh; Jammu and

A novice Tibetan Buddhist monk races between buildings at the monastery in Likir. Experiencing Tibetan Buddhist culture at the Klu-kkhyil Gompa and Tibetan monastery in Likir village located in the rugged Himalayas outside Leh in Ladakh; Jammu and Kashmir, India.

Himalayan valley view from a Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Ladak

Close-up view of a skull statue overlooking the Himalayan valley near Likir village in Ladakh, northern India. Experiencing Tibetan Buddhist culture at the Klu-kkhyil Gompa and Tibetan monastery in Likir village located in the rugged Himalayas outside Leh in Ladakh; Jammu and Kashmir, India.

Tibetan Buddhist monks at the Klu-kkhyil monastery in Ladakh, In

Two Tibetan Buddhist monks on the roof of their monastery located in the Himalayan foothills of Ladakh. Experiencing Tibetan Buddhist culture at the Klu-kkhyil Gompa and Tibetan monastery in Likir village located in the rugged Himalayas outside Leh in Ladakh; Jammu and Kashmir, India.

Portrait of a Tibetan Buddhist monk in Ladakh; Jammu and Kashmir

Portrait of a red-robed Tibetan Buddhist monk with a background of Himalayan mountains in the village of Likir in Ladakh. Experiencing Tibetan Buddhist culture at the Klu-kkhyil Gompa and Tibetan monastery in Likir village located in the rugged Himalayas outside Leh in Ladakh; Jammu and Kashmir, India.

Mountain view from Klu-kkhyil Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Lada

Kristen checks out the Himalayan valley view from a window of the Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Ladakh. Experiencing Tibetan Buddhist culture at the Klu-kkhyil Gompa and Tibetan monastery in Likir village located in the rugged Himalayas outside Leh in Ladakh; Jammu and Kashmir, India.

Tibetan Buddhist monk portrait at the Klu-kkhyil monastery in La

Portrait of a Tibetan Buddhist monk on the roof of his monastery in Ladakh, northern India. Experiencing Tibetan Buddhist culture at the Klu-kkhyil Gompa and Tibetan monastery in Likir village located in the rugged Himalayas outside Leh in Ladakh; Jammu and Kashmir, India.

Himalayan mountain view from the Tibetan monastery in Ladakh, In

Himalayan mountain peaks and a three-pronged Tibetan Buddhist marker with a human skull image. Experiencing Tibetan Buddhist culture at the Klu-kkhyil Gompa and Tibetan monastery in Likir village located in the rugged Himalayas outside Leh in Ladakh; Jammu and Kashmir, India.

Tibetan prayer wheel at the Klu-kkhyil monastery in Ladakh, Indi

Detail photo of a Tibetan Buddhist prayer wheel in the basement of a monastery in Ladakh, northern India. Experiencing Tibetan Buddhist culture at the Klu-kkhyil Gompa and Tibetan monastery in Likir village located in the rugged Himalayas outside Leh in Ladakh; Jammu and Kashmir, India.

Tibetan Buddhist monks at the Klu-kkhyil monastery in Jammu and

A young novice Tibetan Buddhist monk with an older monk wearing red robes on the roof of their monastery in northern India. Experiencing Tibetan Buddhist culture at the Klu-kkhyil Gompa and Tibetan monastery in Likir village located in the rugged Himalayas outside Leh in Ladakh; Jammu and Kashmir, India.

Klu-kkhyil Tibetan buddhist monastery in Ladakh; Jammu and Kashm

Tibetan Buddhist monks walk around the courtyard of their monastery in the village of Likir in northern India. Experiencing Tibetan Buddhist culture at the Klu-kkhyil Gompa and Tibetan monastery in Likir village located in the rugged Himalayas outside Leh in Ladakh; Jammu and Kashmir, India.

Himalayan valley view from the Klu-kkhyil Tibetan monastery in L

Overlooking the Himalayan valley near the village of Likir in Ladakh, northern India. Experiencing Tibetan Buddhist culture at the Klu-kkhyil Gompa and Tibetan monastery in Likir village located in the rugged Himalayas outside Leh in Ladakh; Jammu and Kashmir, India.

Klu-kkhyil Tibetan Buddhist monastery; Jammu and Kashmir, India

Kristen explores the narrow stairways of a Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Ladakh, northern India. Experiencing Tibetan Buddhist culture at the Klu-kkhyil Gompa and Tibetan monastery in Likir village located in the rugged Himalayas outside Leh in Ladakh; Jammu and Kashmir, India.

Tibetan Buddhist monk at the Klu-kkhyil monastery in Ladakh, Ind

An elderly Tibetan Buddhist monk prepares to climb the stairs of his monastery in the village of Likir. Experiencing Tibetan Buddhist culture at the Klu-kkhyil Gompa and Tibetan monastery in Likir village located in the rugged Himalayas outside Leh in Ladakh; Jammu and Kashmir, India.

Tibetan Buddhist monks and thangka paintings at a Ladakhi monast

Two Tibetan Buddhist monks entering the monastery in Likir village. Experiencing Tibetan Buddhist culture at the Klu-kkhyil Gompa and Tibetan monastery in Likir village located in the rugged Himalayas outside Leh in Ladakh; Jammu and Kashmir, India.

Tibetan Buddhist monks at a monastery in Jammu and Kashmir, Indi

Two senior Tibetan monks chat in the courtyard of their monastery in Likir village. Experiencing Tibetan Buddhist culture at the Klu-kkhyil Gompa and Tibetan monastery in Likir village located in the rugged Himalayas outside Leh in Ladakh; Jammu and Kashmir, India.

Himalayan mountain view from a Tibetan monastery in Jammu and Ka

Himalayan valley view from the red-painted window of the Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Likir. Experiencing Tibetan Buddhist culture at the Klu-kkhyil Gompa and Tibetan monastery in Likir village located in the rugged Himalayas outside Leh in Ladakh; Jammu and Kashmir, India.

Buddha statue at a monastery in Ladakh; Jammu and Kashmir, India

Close-up picture of the Golden Buddha at the Likir village monastery. Experiencing Tibetan Buddhist culture at the Klu-kkhyil Gompa and Tibetan monastery in Likir village located in the rugged Himalayas outside Leh in Ladakh; Jammu and Kashmir, India.

Old wooden doors at a Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Ladakh, Indi

Old wooden doors at the entrance to the Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Likir village. Experiencing Tibetan Buddhist culture at the Klu-kkhyil Gompa and Tibetan monastery in Likir village located in the rugged Himalayas outside Leh in Ladakh; Jammu and Kashmir, India.

Young TIbetan Buddhist monks at a monastery in Ladakh, India

Novice Tibetan Buddhist monks walking in the courtyard outside their monastery in Ladakh, northern India. Experiencing Tibetan Buddhist culture at the Klu-kkhyil Gompa and Tibetan monastery in Likir village located in the rugged Himalayas outside Leh in Ladakh; Jammu and Kashmir, India.

Entrance to Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Ladakh, India

An ornately-carved wooden door at the entrance to a Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Ladakh, northern India. Experiencing Tibetan Buddhist culture at the Klu-kkhyil Gompa and Tibetan monastery in Likir village located in the rugged Himalayas outside Leh in Ladakh; Jammu and Kashmir, India.

Tibetan Buddhist monks studying at the Klu-kkhyil monastery in L

Tibetan novice monks wearing red robes walk towards the entrance of their monastery in Ladakh, northern India. Experiencing Tibetan Buddhist culture at the Klu-kkhyil Gompa and Tibetan monastery in Likir village located in the rugged Himalayas outside Leh in Ladakh; Jammu and Kashmir, India.

Red robed Tibetan monks at a monastery in Ladakh, India

Novice Tibetan Buddhist monks wearing red robes entering their monastery to study. Experiencing Tibetan Buddhist culture at the Klu-kkhyil Gompa and Tibetan monastery in Likir village located in the rugged Himalayas outside Leh in Ladakh; Jammu and Kashmir, India.

Golden Tibetan Buddhist statue at a monastery near Leh; Jammu an

Portrait of the Golden Buddha statue at a Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Ladakh. Experiencing Tibetan Buddhist culture at the Klu-kkhyil Gompa and Tibetan monastery in Likir village located in the rugged Himalayas outside Leh in Ladakh; Jammu and Kashmir, India.

Tibetan Buddhist monks running to the Klu-kkhyil monastery in La

Novice Tibetan Buddhist monks racing up the stairs to the entrance of their monastery in Ladakh, northern India. Experiencing Tibetan Buddhist culture at the Klu-kkhyil Gompa and Tibetan monastery in Likir village located in the rugged Himalayas outside Leh in Ladakh; Jammu and Kashmir, India.

Golden Buddha statue in Ladakh; Jammu and Kashmir, India

Himalayan mountains and the statue of the Tibetan Buddha on the roof of a monstery in Ladakh, India. Experiencing Tibetan Buddhist culture at the Klu-kkhyil Gompa and Tibetan monastery in Likir village located in the rugged Himalayas outside Leh in Ladakh; Jammu and Kashmir, India.

Tibetan monks at the Klu-kkhyil monastery; Jammu and Kashmir, In

Novice Tibetan Buddhist monks in red robes leaving their monastery in Ladakh, India. Experiencing Tibetan Buddhist culture at the Klu-kkhyil Gompa and Tibetan monastery in Likir village located in the rugged Himalayas outside Leh in Ladakh; Jammu and Kashmir, India.

Tibetan man carrying fruit at a monastery in Ladakh; Jammu and K

A Tibetan man carrying fruit down the stairs of a monastery in Ladakh, northern India. Experiencing Tibetan Buddhist culture at the Klu-kkhyil Gompa and Tibetan monastery in Likir village located in the rugged Himalayas outside Leh in Ladakh; Jammu and Kashmir, India.

Joking Tibetan monk sticks out his tongue; Jammu and Kashmir, In

A Tibetan monk sticks his tongue out at the camera as he passes through a wooden doorway at his monastery in Ladakh, northern India. Experiencing Tibetan Buddhist culture at the Klu-kkhyil Gompa and Tibetan monastery in Likir village located in the rugged Himalayas outside Leh in Ladakh; Jammu and Kashmir, India.

Buddhist statue at the Klu-kkhyil Tibetan monastery in Ladakh, I

Himalayan mountains and the statue of a Golden Buddha in Ladakh, northern India. Experiencing Tibetan Buddhist culture at the Klu-kkhyil Gompa and Tibetan monastery in Likir village located in the rugged Himalayas outside Leh in Ladakh; Jammu and Kashmir, India.

Tibetan monks and Himalayan mountains in Ladakh, India

A group of Tibetan Buddhist monks surrounded by Himalayan mountains at their monastery in Ladakh, northern India. Experiencing Tibetan Buddhist culture at the Klu-kkhyil Gompa and Tibetan monastery in Likir village located in the rugged Himalayas outside Leh in Ladakh; Jammu and Kashmir, India.

Golden Buddha statue at a Tibetan monastery in Ladakh, India

The large golden statue of the Buddha seated on the roof of the Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Likir village. The monastery was first built in the 11th century and rebuilt in the 18th century. Experiencing Tibetan Buddhist culture at the Klu-kkhyil Gompa and Tibetan monastery in Likir village located in the rugged Himalayas outside Leh in Ladakh; Jammu and Kashmir, India.

Visiting the Tibetan buddhist monastery in Likir village; Ladakh

Kristen exploring the courtard of the Tibetan Buddhist monastery in the village of Likir. Experiencing Tibetan Buddhist culture at the Klu-kkhyil Gompa and Tibetan monastery in Likir village located in the rugged Himalayas outside Leh in Ladakh; Jammu and Kashmir, India.

Tibetan Buddhist monk and Himalayan mountain view in Ladakh

A Tibetan Buddhist monk on the roof of his monastery in the Himalayan valley of Likir village. Experiencing Tibetan Buddhist culture at the Klu-kkhyil Gompa and Tibetan monastery in Likir village located in the rugged Himalayas outside Leh in Ladakh; Jammu and Kashmir, India.

Exploring Klu-kkhyil Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Ladakh, India

Kristen explores the narrow passageways of the Tibetan monastery in Likir. Experiencing Tibetan Buddhist culture at the Klu-kkhyil Gompa and Tibetan monastery in Likir village located in the rugged Himalayas outside Leh in Ladakh; Jammu and Kashmir, India.

Tibetan monks at the Klu-kkhyil monastery in Ladakh, India

Two young Tibetan Buddhist monks wearing red robes walk together towards the entrance of their monastery as cottonwood tufts float in the air. Experiencing Tibetan Buddhist culture at the Klu-kkhyil Gompa and Tibetan monastery in Likir village located in the rugged Himalayas outside Leh in Ladakh; Jammu and Kashmir, India.

Tibetan prayer wheels at the Klu-kkhyil monastery; Jammu and Kas

Detail view of Tibetan Buddhist prayer wheels in the basement of the Tibetan monastery in Likir village. Experiencing Tibetan Buddhist culture at the Klu-kkhyil Gompa and Tibetan monastery in Likir village located in the rugged Himalayas outside Leh in Ladakh; Jammu and Kashmir, India.

Palawan Blue Water Tropical Island - Tubbataha

Perfectly clear blue water surrounds one of two islands that lie within Tubbataha Park. "Bird Island", pictured here is an important nesting habitat for endangered shore birds such as brown footed booby's and frigate birds. This shot was taken on a WWF survey of the Tubbataha UNESCO World Heritage coral reef in the Sulu Sea.

White Sand Tropical Island Beach - Palawan

The white sand beach of Tubbataha's "Bird Island" transitions to clear blue water dotted with sections of coral reef. The tropical island is an important habitat for endangered migratory birds such as the brown footed booby. Tubbataha UNESCO World Heritage coral reef; Palawan.

Green Turtle and Blue Water in Palawan

Sea turtles such as this green turtle are very common at the Tubbataha reef. This shot was taken from the deck of the Tubbataha Park Ranger station, a building that looks a bit like a space station anchored by pilings driven deep into a white sand bar. Tubbataha UNESCO World Heritage coral reef; Palawan liveaboard scuba dive trip in the Sulu Sea, Western Philippines.

Ocean Sunset in Palawan - Tubbataha UNESCO Reef

The last colors of the ocean sunset over Tubbataha glow red and orange, silhouetting the outriggers of the WWF coral reef research boat Minerva against the darkening sky. Tubbataha UNESCO World Heritage coral reef; Palawan liveaboard scuba dive trip in the Sulu Sea, Western Philippines.

Ocean Sunset at the Tubbataha UNESCO Reef, Palawan

An ocean sunset behind the lighthouse that guards the edge of the Tubbataha reef. Even with the lighthouse there, several ships have run aground on the coral and the remains of one that sank are still rusting and battered by the waves. Tubbataha UNESCO World Heritage coral reef; Palawan liveaboard scuba dive trip in the Sulu Sea, Western Philippines.

Palawan Ocean Sunset - Tubbataha UNESCO World Heritage Reef

Cap (Captain) sends a text message via satellite to let the port in Puerto Princesa know that we are on the way back from Tubbataha. The trip takes about ten hours overnight. As we were leaving Tubbataha, the sunset glowed magenta and orange in the background, definitely one of the best ocean sunsets from the entire trip. Tubbataha UNESCO World Heritage coral reef; Palawan liveaboard scuba dive trip in the Sulu Sea, Western Philippines.

Tiger Shark in Tubbataha - Palawan

The image of the great white shark fin from "Jaws" slicing through the water is one of the iconic movie moments I remember from when I was little. So early one morning on our way to dive a coral reef wall of Tubbataha we spotted the fin of this tiger shark slicing through the shallows of the reef just like "Jaws". And even though it's just a juvenile tiger shark, seeing it out hunting as the sun rose over the Sulu Sea reminded me that the much larger relatives of this shark were out cruising the deep blue water areas of the reef. Tubbataha UNESCO World Heritage coral reef; Palawan liveaboard scuba dive trip in the Sulu Sea, Western Philippines.

White Sand and Blue Water - Palawan Tropical Island Beach

Perfectly clear blue water, white sand and blue skies overhead made Tubbataha's "Bird Island" one of the nicest tropical islands I have ever been lucky enough to visit. Tubbataha UNESCO World Heritage coral reef; Palawan liveaboard scuba dive trip in the Sulu Sea, Western Philippines.

Blue Water and Tropical Island Beach - Endangered Shore Birds in

Rare migratory birds such as the brown footed booby often stop to take a rest on the white sand of Bird Island, and many also mate and nest here annually as well. In this picture I used a circluar polarizer to remove the reflection from the shallow blue water that surrounds the island and bring out as much of the color contrast as possible. Tubbataha UNESCO World Heritage coral reef; Palawan liveaboard scuba dive trip in the Sulu Sea, Western Philippines.

White Sand and Blue Water - Palawan Tropical Island Beach

Sun-bleached pieces of driftwood littered the white sand beach of Tubbataha's bird island, looking almost like ancient bones. I guess the driftwood must have come all the way from mainland Palawan, many, many miles to the east. Tubbataha UNESCO World Heritage coral reef; Palawan liveaboard scuba dive trip in the Sulu Sea, Western Philippines.

Palawan Paradise Island - Blue Water and White Sand

Using a circular polarizer to remove the reflection from the blue water that surrounds Tubbataha's "Bird Island" dramatically increased the saturation of the colors and the contrast. Maybe it's because I learned about photography by starting out shooting Fuji Velvia slide film, but even to this day as a photographer I look for bright colors and high contrast. Tubbataha UNESCO World Heritage coral reef; Palawan liveaboard scuba dive trip in the Sulu Sea, Western Philippines.

Palawan endangered migratory bird in flight

As we approached Bird Island with the Tubbataha Park rangers, we started seeing many different species of migratory birds in the skies above us. After many tries and lots of deletions on the digital camera, I got this shot of a brown footed booby (at least I think that's what this one is) as it glided over us. Definitely one of my favorite Palawan shots. Tubbataha UNESCO World Heritage coral reef; Palawan survey trip in the Sulu Sea with WWF.

Tropical Island in Palawan surrounded by blue water

The shallow blue water surrounding "Bird Island" is a mix of coral reef and white sand bottom, giving a sometimes mottled effect when photographed with a circular polarizer to remove the surface reflection. Tubbataha UNESCO World Heritage coral reef; Palawan liveaboard scuba dive trip in the Sulu Sea, Western Philippines.

Blue Water and White Sand Beach on a Palawan Tropical Island

Containing roughly 10,000 hectares of coral reef and lying at the heart of the Coral Triangle marine biodiversity hotspot, the entire Tubbataha Park has only two small tropical islands. "Bird Island", pictured here is surrounded by perfectly blue water and has a nice white sand beach, though only scientists and Park Rangers are allowed to actually set foot on land here. Tubbataha UNESCO World Heritage coral reef; Palawan liveaboard scuba dive trip in the Sulu Sea, Western Philippines.

Palawan Sunrise over Tubbataha Reef

Red and magenta reflect off a cover of hazy clouds during the best ocean sunrise we saw during the entire scuba dive trip to Tubbataha. "Bird Island", one of the two tropical islands lying within the coral reef park boundaries is pictured here. Tubbataha UNESCO World Heritage coral reef; Palawan liveaboard scuba dive trip in the Sulu Sea, Western Philippines.

Palawan Ocean Sunset - Tubbataha UNESCO Reef

A light cloud cover can make an ocean sunset like this one from the Tubbataha marine park truly spectacular. Aside from the usual yellows and orange colors of the setting sun, some scattered clouds can catch the more interesting shades of red and magenta. For sunset and sunrise photography I usually use a graduated neutral density filter made by Singh-Ray to balance the difference in light intensity between the brighter sky and the darker sea in the foreground. Tubbataha UNESCO World Heritage coral reef; Palawan liveaboard scuba dive trip in the Sulu Sea, Western Philippines.

Palawan Sunrise over Tubbataha Reef

For this ocean sunrise picture I used a 3 stop graduated neutral density filter made by Singh-Ray to balance the bright(er) sky with the darker blue water in the foreground. A good neutral density filter transitions from a dark grey section to a clear section so that all you need to do is line up the filter with the horizon line and the light intensity will be balanced. Tubbataha UNESCO World Heritage coral reef; Palawan liveaboard scuba dive trip in the Sulu Sea, Western Philippines.

Endangered baby migratory bird - Tubbataha

A young migratory sea bird (I believe it's a brown footed booby) perches in its nest within the Tubbataha park in Palawan. Tubbataha UNESCO World Heritage coral reef; Palawan liveaboard scuba dive trip in the Sulu Sea, Western Philippines.

Endangered migratory birds - Tubbataha

Three endangered migratory birds (brown footed booby's) rest on a sun-bleached log of driftwood beside a white sand beach and blue water on a small tropical island in Palawan. Tubbataha UNESCO World Heritage coral reef; Palawan liveaboard scuba dive trip in the Sulu Sea, Western Philippines.

Endangered baby migratory bird - Tubbataha

A young migratory sea bird (I believe it's a brown footed booby) perches in its nest within the Tubbataha park in Palawan. Tubbataha UNESCO World Heritage coral reef; Palawan liveaboard scuba dive trip in the Sulu Sea, Western Philippines.

Tubbataha Blue Water Tropical Island - Palawan

Blue water surrounds a small tropical island in Palawan that lies within the Tubbataha Park in the Sulu Sea. Tubbataha UNESCO World Heritage coral reef; Palawan liveaboard scuba dive trip in the Sulu Sea, Western Philippines.

Blue water and Green Turtle - Tubbataha UNESCO Reef

A green turtle swims through shallow blue water in Palawan within the Tubbataha coral reef park. Tubbataha UNESCO World Heritage coral reef; Palawan liveaboard scuba dive trip in the Sulu Sea, Western Philippines.

Palawan Tropical Island Beach with endangered shore birds

It's nice to see what an island can look like when people don't come by to mess it up. "Bird Island" in Tubbataha is closed to visitors (except biologists) so when we landed on the white sand beach beside a shimmering expanse of blue water, this group of migratory birds had gathered on the shoreline. Another one of my favorite Tubbataha photos. Tubbataha UNESCO World Heritage coral reef; Palawan, Philippines.

Tubbataha Tropical Island with sea turtle - Palawan

A sea turtle swims in shallow blue water beside a small tropical island in Palawan with a white sand beach. Tubbataha UNESCO World Heritage coral reef; Palawan liveaboard scuba dive trip in the Sulu Sea, Western Philippines.

Blue water, white sand and a small boat - Tubbataha

The Tubbataha Park Ranger patrol boat lies anchored in blue water beside a Palawan tropical island with a white sand beach. Tubbataha UNESCO World Heritage coral reef; Palawan liveaboard scuba dive trip in the Sulu Sea, Western Philippines.

Dolphin pictures: Tubbataha UNESCO Reef, Palawan

Two Palawan dolphins swim in deep blue water beside the Tubbataha UNESCO World Heritage coral reef; Palawan liveaboard scuba dive trip in the Sulu Sea, Western Philippines.

Blue Water and coral reef - Tubbataha UNESCO Site

The blue water around the more shallow coral reef areas of the Tubbataha Park in Palawan has the most amazing color. Tubbataha UNESCO World Heritage coral reef; Palawan liveaboard scuba dive trip in the Sulu Sea, Western Philippines.

Endangered Migratory Birds, White Sand and Blue Water in Palawan

Blue water, a white sand beach and rare migratory birds on a small tropical island in Palawan within the Tubbataha UNESCO World Heritage coral reef; Palawan liveaboard scuba dive trip in the Sulu Sea, Western Philippines.

Blue Water and white sand Tropical Island Beach

A white sand bar surrounded by blue water stretches to the horizon in Palawan. Tubbataha UNESCO World Heritage coral reef; Palawan liveaboard scuba dive trip in the Sulu Sea, Western Philippines.

Blue Water Tropical Island - Tubbataha, Palawan

With only a few palm trees holding the white sand beach in place, "Bird Island" is one of two strips of dry land within the entire Tubbataha park. Tubbataha UNESCO World Heritage coral reef; Palawan liveaboard scuba dive trip in the Sulu Sea, Western Philippines.

Blue Water Tropical Island - Tubbataha, Palawan

Caribbean blue water surrounds "Bird Island", one of only two tropical islands within Palawan's Tubbataha Park. Tubbataha UNESCO World Heritage coral reef; Palawan liveaboard scuba dive trip in the Sulu Sea, Western Philippines.

Blue Water surrounds the Tubbataha Park Ranger Station, Palawan

The blue water surrounding the Tubbataha Park Ranger station looks like a giant swimming pool. The only spots to break up the seemingly endless white sand bottom of the "pool" are the dark shadows of hundreds of sea turtles as they glide through the water beneath the waves. Tubbataha UNESCO World Heritage coral reef; Palawan liveaboard scuba dive trip in the Sulu Sea, Western Philippines.

Blue water Tropical Island - Tubbataha, Palawan

A pure white strip of sand extends out into the blue water from a small tropical island in Palawan where rare and endangered migratory birds can be found. Tubbataha UNESCO World Heritage coral reef; Palawan liveaboard scuba dive trip in the Sulu Sea, Western Philippines.

Palawan Blue Water Tropical Island Beach - Tubbataha UNESCO Reef

"The stones are moving", said one of the Tubbataha Park Rangers as we approached "Bird Isladnd". Surrounded by blue water beside a white sand beach, passing sea turtles were very easy to spot against the turquoise background of the shallow seas. And even from a distance we could see the flocks of migratory birds against the blue sky. Tubbataha UNESCO World Heritage coral reef; Palawan, Philippines.

Tubbataha Ocean Sunset - Palawan

The ocean sunset over the Sulu Sea in Palawan for our last day at Tubbataha Reef was the best of the entire trip. A mixed cover of clouds reflected reds, blues and magentas behind WWF's research boat Minerva as the sun disappeared behind the distant horizon. Tubbataha UNESCO World Heritage coral reef; Palawan liveaboard scuba dive trip in the Sulu Sea, Western Philippines.

Ocean Sunset over Tubbataha UNESCO Reef, Palawan

An ocean sunset and sending an sms text message by satellite. "Cap" sends a message back to the Port Officers in Puerto Princesa to let them know we are on our way back to mainland Palawan. Tubbataha UNESCO World Heritage coral reef; Palawan liveaboard scuba dive trip in the Sulu Sea, Western Philippines.

Palawan Sunrise over the Sulu Sea - Tubbataha UNESCO Reef

The best ocean sunrise of our Tubbataha trip. With a hazy layer of clouds providing a backdrop for the brilliant colors of the rising sun to be reflected, this Palawan morning sunrise was well worth getting up early to see. Tubbataha UNESCO World Heritage coral reef; Palawan liveaboard scuba dive trip in the Sulu Sea, Western Philippines.

Palawan Sunrise over Puerto Princesa, Philippines

After traveling through the night from Tubbataha to mainland Palawan, we arrived in the Puerto Princesa port to find the sun just beginning to rise. Tubbataha UNESCO World Heritage coral reef; Palawan liveaboard scuba dive trip in the Sulu Sea, Western Philippines.

Tubbataha Ocean Sunset, Palawan

The ocean sunset of our last day in Tubbataha was probably the best one of the entire trip. Tubbataha UNESCO World Heritage coral reef; Palawan liveaboard scuba dive trip in the Sulu Sea, Western Philippines.

Palawan Sunrise over Puerto Princesa, Philippines

After traveling through the night from Tubbataha to mainland Palawan, we arrived in the Puerto Princesa port to find the sun just beginning to rise. Tubbataha UNESCO World Heritage coral reef; Palawan liveaboard scuba dive trip in the Sulu Sea, Western Philippines.

White Sand Tropical Island Beach - Palawan

A deserted white sand tropical beach in Palawan surrounded by perfectly clear blue water. Sun bleached driftwood is polished by the waves. Tubbataha UNESCO World Heritage coral reef; Palawan liveaboard scuba dive trip in the Sulu Sea, Western Philippines.

Palawan Barracuda for dinner - Tubbataha Reef, Philippines

Barracuda filet for dinner in Palawan. Tubbataha UNESCO World Heritage coral reef; Palawan liveaboard scuba dive trip in the Sulu Sea, Western Philippines.

Palawan Tropical Island Beach Sunrise

I happened to catch sight of this sunrise through the port of the WWF survey ship Minerva just as the sun was coming up over the Sulu Sea. Grabbing my camera, I headed for the upper deck of the boat to catch the ocean sunrise as it lit up the sky behind bird island with shades of red and magenta. Definitely one of my favorite sunrises from the Philippines, and a highlight from the trip to Tubbataha. Tubbataha UNESCO World Heritage coral reef; Palawan, Philippines.

Palawan Ocean Sunrise

Clouds on the horizon can actually really help a sunrise over the ocean. I woke up early to catch the sunrise over the Sulu Sea from WWF's research boat Minerva when we were there to do a coral reef survey of the Tubbataha Park. Tubbataha UNESCO World Heritage coral reef; Palawan, Philippines.

Palawan Sunset at Sea

The sunset for our last night in Tubbataha was the best of the trip with a great range of magentas and blues against a backdrop of clouds. Tubbataha UNESCO World Heritage coral reef; Palawan liveaboard scuba dive trip in the Sulu Sea.

Palawan Tropical Island - Tubbataha UNESCO Reef

After our early morning dive, we joined the Tubbataha Park Rangers and Tubbataha Park Manager Angelique Songco to visit "Bird Island" to help out with their migratory bird survey. As we approached the island, the dark blues of the deep water transitioned to turquoise blue water as we passed shallow coral reef and open patches of white sand. Tubbataha UNESCO World Heritage coral reef; Palawan liveaboard scuba dive trip in the Sulu Sea, Western Philippines.

Tubbataha UNESCO Site - Blue water and Coral Reef

Patches of coral reef and white sand covered the blue water shallows surrounding "Bird Island", an important habitat for endangered migratory bird species within the Tubbataha Marine Park. Tubbataha UNESCO World Heritage coral reef; Palawan liveaboard scuba dive trip in the Sulu Sea, Western Philippines.

Sea Turtle - Tubbataha UNESCO World Heritage Reef, Palawan

A green sea turtle swims in the brightly-lit shallows within the Tubbataha United Nations World Heritage reef in the middle of the Sulu Sea; Palawan; Philippines. These turtles are endangered in many other parts of the country, but in the remote environment of Tubbataha's amazing reef they are thriving.

Tubbataha Underwater Photography - Manta Ray

This manta ray was swimming lazily at the surface, its wing tips slicing through the deep blue water covering Tubbataha's coral reef. As we approached, the manta ray banked away like a gliding airplane, its wing tip cutting the water like a tiny shark fin before it disappeared into the deep blue water. Tubbataha UNESCO World Heritage coral reef; Palawan liveaboard scuba dive trip in the Sulu Sea, Western Philippines.

Palawan Underwater Photography - Manta Ray

As we approached, this manta ray turned towards the coral reef and the deep blue water of the Sulu Sea. Tubbataha UNESCO World Heritage coral reef; Palawan liveaboard scuba dive trip in the Sulu Sea, Western Philippines.

Tubbataha Underwater Photography - Sweet Lips

Aside from the incredible underwtaer visibility (sometimes over 100 feet!), Tubbataha is an incredible location for a liveaboard dive trip because it is home to large populations of big fish. A huge diversity of tropical reef fish such as this sweetlips swim lazily in the deep blue water surrounding the coral reef and are great for underwater photography. Tubbataha UNESCO World Heritage coral reef; Palawan liveaboard scuba dive trip in the Sulu Sea, Western Philippines.

Palawan Underwater Photography - Sweet Lips

Sweet lips? This variety of tropical fish is commonly known as a sweet lips, though I don't know anyone who has kissed (or eaten) the lips of this coral reef fish. Anyways, I happened to come around a large outcrop of coral while diving Tubbataha to find this guy staring me in the face. Tubbataha UNESCO World Heritage coral reef; Palawan liveaboard scuba dive trip in the Sulu Sea, Western Philippines.

Tubbataha UNESCO Reef Underwater Photography - Sweet Lips

Tropical fish such as this "Sweet Lips" can often be found swimming around the coral reef of Tubbataha. It's more than ten hours by boat from mainland Palawan, so the level of fishing pressure here is a lot lower than the more populated coastal areas. Maybe also because they see less fishermen, the fish of Tubbataha are much larger and less scared of people, making them great for underwater photography. Tubbataha UNESCO World Heritage coral reef; Palawan liveaboard scuba dive trip in the Sulu Sea, Western Philippines.

Palawan Underwater Photography - Giant Clam

Giant clams such as this one are often easy targets for poachers because they are large, slow-moving (if they move at all), and valuable. Since Tubbataha is so far from mainland Palawan (10 hours by boat), it's much easier to find species such as giant clams that have been wiped out by poachers. Tubbataha UNESCO World Heritage coral reef; Palawan liveaboard scuba dive trip in the Sulu Sea, Western Philippines.

Coral Reef Underwater Photography - Tubbataha Tropical Fish

Brilliantly colored schools of tropical fish such as these damselfish dart in and out of the coral reef in the shallow, sunlit parts of the Tubbataha reef. Tubbataha UNESCO World Heritage coral reef; Palawan liveaboard scuba dive trip in the Sulu Sea, Western Philippines.

Tropical Fish Underwater Photography - Tubbataha UNESCO Reef

Using a small remote flash on my Canon underwater camera, I was able to light up these tropical fish and bring out more of their brilliant colors. Tubbataha UNESCO World Heritage coral reef; Palawan liveaboard scuba dive trip in the Sulu Sea, Western Philippines.

Green Sea Turtle in Palawan

This is one of my favorite sea turtle underwater pictures from Tubbataha. I've found it's a bit unusual for a green turtle such as this one to look directly into the camera, so when it happens it usually makes for a great shot. Tubbataha UNESCO World Heritage coral reef; Palawan liveaboard scuba dive trip in the Sulu Sea, Western Philippines.

Palawan Green Sea Turtle - Tubbataha UNESCO Reef

The underwater picture of a green sea turtle was only taken in a couple feet of water on the white sand bar that surrounds the Tubbataha Park Ranger station. Tubbataha UNESCO World Heritage coral reef; Palawan liveaboard scuba dive trip in the Sulu Sea, Western Philippines.

Underwater Photography: Tubbataha Sweet Lips - Palawan

Getting a fish to look at the camera can be pretty tough--usually if you get too close they just swim away. This is one of my favorite shots from the coral reef survey trip to Tubbataha, just lucked out when this sweetlips happened to look at the camera. A huge diversity of tropical reef fish such as this sweetlips inhabit the crystalline waters of the Tubbataha UNESCO World Heritage reef in the middle of the Sulu Sea; Palawan, Philippines

Palawan Giant Sting Ray - Tubbataha UNESCO Reef

This sting ray took a rest on the Tubbataha coral reef on one of our first dives. Even though I kept a good distance from the dangerous stinger, it was hard not to think about the accidental death of Steve Irwin from one of these dangerous animals. Tubbataha UNESCO World Heritage coral reef; Palawan liveaboard scuba dive trip in the Sulu Sea, Western Philippines.

Scuba Diver and Sea Turtle - Tubbataha Underwater Photography

Blue, blue, blue water. The coral reef of Tubbataha is covered by some of the clearest blue water I've ever seen. Underwater photography is certainly a lot easier in situations like this when you're not worrying about backscatter and murky photos. In this picture, Claus gets a shot of a passing hawksbill turtle as it swims towards the surface for air. Tubbataha UNESCO World Heritage coral reef; Palawan liveaboard scuba dive trip in the Sulu Sea, Western Philippines.

Tubbataha Sea Turtle - Palawan

After taking a breath of air at the surface, this hawksbill turtle dove back towards the coral reef of Tubbataha like a fighter jet. Tubbataha UNESCO World Heritage coral reef; Palawan liveaboard scuba dive trip in the Sulu Sea, Western Philippines.

Palawan Coral Reef Shark - Tubbataha

A white tip reef shark cruises a shallow section of the Tubbataha coral reef looking for tropical fish to eat. Shark sightings were relatively common while we were scuba diving Tubbataha, though it was hard to get a good shot of them because they would usually swim away as soon as they spotted us. Tubbataha UNESCO World Heritage coral reef; Palawan liveaboard scuba dive trip in the Sulu Sea, Western Philippines.

Reef Shark in Palawan - Underwater Photography

White tip reef sharks and often be seen gliding along the steep walls of coral reef at the edge of the deep blue water of Tubbataha reef while they hunt. Tubbataha UNESCO World Heritage coral reef; Palawan liveaboard scuba dive trip in the Sulu Sea, Western Philippines.

Palawan Underwater Photography - Reef Shark

The sharks of Tubbataha were generally pretty scared of people, and usually we would see them prowling the deep blue water beside the coral reef. We never saw a shark attack anything, they must wait for another marine animal to become sick or injured before they strike. Tubbataha UNESCO World Heritage coral reef; Palawan liveaboard scuba dive trip in the Sulu Sea, Western Philippines.

Shark in Palawan - Tubbataha UNESCO Coral Reef

The other tropical fish near this white tip reef shark don't seem to be worried about getting eaten. Tubbataha UNESCO World Heritage coral reef; Palawan liveaboard scuba dive trip in the Sulu Sea, Western Philippines.

Palawan Reef Shark - Tubbataha Underwater Photography

The deeper you go when scuba diving, the less light there is to take underwater pictures. I think this shot was taken at around 30 meters deep, with very little light to bring out the details of this white tip reef shark against the deep blue background. Tubbataha UNESCO World Heritage coral reef; Palawan liveaboard scuba dive trip in the Sulu Sea, Western Philippines.

Large Tuna (Trevally) Underwater - Tubbataha UNESCO Reef

The coral reef of Tubbataha is home to many large fish species such as this trevally (related to a tuna). This was a really big fish, if you want to get a reference for how big it really was, the barnacle on the side of the tuna (in the middle) was about the diameter of a quarter. Tubbataha UNESCO World Heritage coral reef; Palawan liveaboard scuba dive trip in the Sulu Sea, Western Philippines.

Sting Ray - Tubbataha UNESCO Coral Reef

This colorful sting ray was resting on the white sand bottom near a large hard coral reef formation on one of our best dives in Tubbataha. I was able to get close enough for this underwater photo before the ray swam away. Tubbataha UNESCO World Heritage coral reef; Palawan liveaboard scuba dive trip in the Sulu Sea, Western Philippines.

Tiger Shark Underwater Photography - Tubbataha UNESCO Coral Reef

This is the closest I ever want to come to a live tiger shark. I still regret not getting the head in the frame (the shark was moving really fast and was too close to the lens), but I really like the way the fin is just cutting the surface of the sea as it swims over the coral reef. I noticed a lot of three-legged sea turtles in this section of the Tubbataha reef, a sign that the larger relatives of the juvenile tiger shark pictured here are alive and well. And while they can be a menace to divers and swimmers, the presence of these sharks is a good indicator of the health of Tubbataha's marine ecosystem. This tiger shark encounter was the inspiration for a short article I wrote for Mabuhay magazine.

Tuna (Trevally) Underwater Photography - Palawan

Trevally (a large pelagic fish species related to a tuna) seem to be a bit curious. This one lazily swam towards me as we descended through the blue water above a nice section of Tubbataha coral reef. Tubbataha UNESCO World Heritage coral reef; Palawan liveaboard scuba dive trip in the Sulu Sea, Western Philippines.

Sea Turtle Underwater Photography - Tubbataha Reef in Palawan

Blue water, white sand, and the bright tropical sunlight on this sea turtle makes this one of my favorite underwater pictures from Tubbataha. I love the way the sunlight is refracted on the shell of the green turtle as it swims through the shallow water near the Tubbataha Park Ranger station. Tubbataha UNESCO World Heritage coral reef; Palawan liveaboard scuba dive trip in the Sulu Sea, Western Philippines.

Tubbataha Green Sea Turtle Snorkeling

I spent nearly an hour snorkeing with this green turtle and it turned out to be one of the best underwater photography subjects of the whole trip. In this picture, the sea turtle is gliding through the blue water above a white sand area to take a breath of air before diving again. Tubbataha UNESCO World Heritage coral reef; Palawan liveaboard scuba dive trip in the Sulu Sea, Western Philippines.

Palawan Sea Turtle - Tubbataha UNESCO World Heritage Site

After several days of diving the more remote areas of the Tubbataha coral reef, we came back to the Park Ranger Station and found the same sea turtle swimming around the white sand shallows and still up for underwater photography. Tubbataha UNESCO World Heritage coral reef; Palawan liveaboard scuba dive trip in the Sulu Sea, Western Philippines.

Tubbataha Sea Turtle - Palawan

I need to look up how long an average sea turtle can hold its breath underwater, but it is definitely a long time. In this underwater picture, a green turtle catches a breath of air at the surface. Tubbataha UNESCO World Heritage coral reef; Palawan liveaboard scuba dive trip in the Sulu Sea, Western Philippines.

Green Turtle Surfacing - Palawan Underwater Photography

I shot this sea turtle sequence with my small Canon underwater camera set to burst mode. If the action is happening too fast for you to click the shutter in between frames, then it's a better idea to just set the digital camera to continuous shooting and pan the camera to catch all the action. Tubbataha UNESCO World Heritage coral reef; Palawan liveaboard scuba dive trip in the Sulu Sea, Western Philippines.

Sea Turtle Snorkeling - Palawan

Another good idea when shooting underwater photography of a sea turtle or other marine animal that tends to always be moving is to set your digital camera "review time" to zero seconds. That way, the picture you just took won't appear on your camera LCD screen and prevent you from taking another picture immediately. This can really make a big difference when you only have a few seconds to catch the shot. Tubbataha UNESCO World Heritage coral reef; Palawan liveaboard scuba dive trip in the Sulu Sea, Western Philippines.

Snorkeling in Palawan - Tubbataha UNESCO Reef

Although the average visitor to Tubbataha is a scuba diver, there still is plenty of amazing coral reef to see within the first 30 feet of water, making the blue water of this amazing Palawan dive site an awesome place for snorkeling as well. Tubbataha UNESCO World Heritage coral reef; Palawan liveaboard scuba dive trip in the Sulu Sea, Western Philippines.

Palawan Scuba Diving - Tubbataha UNESCO Site

Tubbataha is probably the best coral reef for underwater photography that I have ever visited. The combination of great underwater visibility (sometimes 100 feet or more), and healthy populations of tropical fish, sea turtles, sharks, tuna, barracuda, napoleon wrasse, bumphead parrotfish, and more make Tubbataha a perfect place to bring back some of the best shots in your entire underwater photography career. Tubbataha UNESCO World Heritage coral reef; Palawan liveaboard scuba dive trip in the Sulu Sea, Western Philippines.

Scuba Diving Palawan - Tubbataha World Heritage Reef

Many of the scub dives at Tubbataha are wall dives, with shimmering schools of tropical fish, hard and soft corals, as well as sea fans and sponges clinging to the precipitous coral reef wall as it plunges into the deep blue water. It's ideal for great underwater photography, with scuba divers often finding reef sea turtles, sharks, and other large fish species cruising the clear blue water. Tubbataha UNESCO World Heritage coral reef; Palawan liveaboard scuba dive trip in the Sulu Sea, Western Philippines.

Lion Fish and Coral Reef - Tubbataha, Palawan