Yamagata Hanami

Finally the Cherry trees blossomed in Yamagata, bringing the smiles that only pink fluffiness on trees can do after a very long winter.

Tokyo Path Detail

It's all in the details, especially here in Japan, everywhere you look you find them.

Tokyo Hanami

Cherry Blossom picnic in Tokyo.  Perfect way to enter back into Japan.

Poorer Side

Gandhi Bhavan

The room where Gandhi stayed when in Mumbai.  A very touching little museum and for me, the room, very inspirational.  Keeping it very simple.

Steamed Idli

My all time favourite meal, simple steamed rice bread with coconut chutney and spicy sambar soup.

Hare Krishna

Stayed in ISKCON in Mumbai, one of my favourite places to stay by far.   Beautiful, clean, cheerful, full of happy healthy faces, and a wonderful atmosphere.  Not to mention the delicious buffet meal in the evening of pure vegetarian food.  Bhagavad gita in the room and constantly being greeted with a smile and a Hare Krishna.

Rural Problems

It says "Give up the bait of open defeca and enhance the dignity health and honour of the family".  Positive work for the villages going on, good to see action in progress.

The way to the Beach

Chocolate Tart

One of THE best I've ever tasted.  Because of the large foreign community you could get food from all corners of the world, this was a cafe run by a British couple: good cakes and tea.

Houseboats

Life in Goa really is very idyllic, slow slow slow peaceful pace.

Anjuna Beach

With a Shiva Trident.

Ashwen Beach

Beautiful relaxed, and end of season so hardly any people.  Oh and good waves.

Elephant in the Village

Rolf

Teaching a pranayama class.

Cashew Nut

This is the fruit of a cashew nut, I never knew how they grew!  The fruit was an interesting experience too, wouldn't eat too many of them.  Think they usually get made into some kind of alcohol.

Little Vagator Beach

Beach Time

On H's birthday.

Typical Goan Road

Thali

Funky Barber

We were drawn in to this shop by the great colour scheme.

Morning Ride

Guest House

Chosen for the lush green garden.

Goan Sunset

Bull Fighting

On the beach, was rather shocking to witness such aggression on such a peaceful beach, the excitement of the day ; )

Goa

With the beautiful low laying shaded houses.

Dogs Life

Riches and Poverty

Something I never get over in India, how the rich live like royalty and the poor are desperately poor, side by side, often seeing slums on the doorstep of luxury apartment complexes. This is nowhere near slum, but simple lives next to super rich on Malabar Hill.

Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus

Formerly Victoria Terminus, was truly an awe inspiring building.

Marine Drive, Mumbai

The remnants of the British Raj were pretty impressive.  This is an Art Deco apartment building, built to house the British military.  Think I enjoyed this aspect as before coming to Mumbai I had re-watched the whole series of the Jewel in the Crown.

Mumbai

Liked this city very much indeed, a good mix of everything one could possibly want, including sea front strolling territory, which seems to be a major pass time for Mumbai folks.

Gone to India

Shall be away for a month of Yoga practice in Goa, with a visit to Mumbai, photos coming in April.  Namaste

Hot Chocolate

This place has the best in town, not to mention great atmosphere in which to sip it.

Gando Lanscape

Mt. Gando is the white triangular mountain peeking out in the distance.

First signs of Spring

OK so it may not look like it, but the air smells different and there are teeny signs of life on the trees again.