The Mighty Lohias. Our first taste of Indian hotels, luckily it was only for one night.

Playing chicken with buses.

Who needs an SUV when you have plenty of room for a family of four on a motorcycle.

The outdoor dining area of the Rainforest House in Rishikesh, overlooking the Ganga.

Ma Ganga in all her resplendent glory.

The only drawback of the Rainforest House was that its shores were used as a rest stop for the hoardes of white water rafters (whose ranks we would soon join).

This is the waterfall that the Rainforest House is built upon. Audible at all times and surprisingly relaxing.

Carol and Janice listening intently to one of Ever's rants.

Doing the best I could to capture waterfall "silk" without the benefit of a tripod.

Down-river shot of the Ganga heading into Rishikesh proper. Notice the unsightly condos popping up.

Luckily the jet-lag made it easy to get up in time for dawn.

The Rainforest House overlooking the Ganga. Top floor is their open-air Yoga space.

Our room beside the waterfall.

This is how Franca looks when she's pretending to laugh at someone's joke.

With the way the sun is framing Ever's face, he could pass for Robocop!

The disappointment in Mr. Rhesus Macaque's face is barely visible in this shot.

Watch out for white people armed with pointy poles!

I think someone really misses his red cap....

Waiting for the next hoarde of white water rafters looking for hot chai.

The hoarde departs.

She was one brave Macaque. Hung around until our guard was down and then swooped in to steal a plate of food. What a shot that would have been!

Franca's new paragliding kit.

Crossing at Ram Jula.

I swear this guy was trying to untie the whole bridge!

A meeting of equal minds.

That bribe didn't come from us, but we were happy for the oppotunity to pose with the little guy. No model release required!

Mama and son. And no, that's an ice cream popsicle she's eating not a raw chicken leg.

Trayambakeshwar Temple

Me in my first korta.

Hiking up the mountain to the Neer Waterfall to bathe in the ice cold water.

Someone was just begging to join us on the hike.

Grandpa looking on disapprovingly.

Janice with a commanding view.

About half way up our ascent.

Franca and Shelley sitting on the Flintstone's patio set.

The waterfall comes into view...

Just a few more steps now...

This woman started her ascent further up the mountain as we got to the top waterfall. The balance needed to carry up that load is unfathomable.

Our final sunrise at the Rainforest House as we begin our hike into Rishikesh along the bank of the Ganga.

Christian and Amit making sure to leave their tracks.

Face smoosh!

This guy was having nothing to do with us shoeing him away. Fearless and undaunted he hiked with us most of the way.

Until, that is, he got tired and stopped for a nap.

Laxman Jula right around the corner.

You can almost see his eye through the lens.

A family out for a morning stroll. Rishikesh at this hour is very peaceful.

Look out dog, she's gonna bathe you!!

Looking on as Rita falls head over heels for the rabid puppy.

Ok, maybe not so rabid after all.

This is how bridge making material is transported in these parts.

Four storeys of scaffolding and not an inch of steel among it. The strength of bamboo is nothing to shake a stick at.

Rita's Alma Mater.

The colours in their garden really are this rich and beautiful, I didn't jack up the saturation.

Yes, Ever's korta really is that bright of a blue.

Leave it to the boy to find the perfect spot to snooze.

Contemplating Shiva.

Ganesh adorned.

Picking out some prime Rishikesh real estate for the next big condo development.

It ain't the Ghostbusters.

I was so tempted to try out the street food. The smell was incredible.

Ever finding his true soul mate.

Remember the Evil Gopher? This is who he learned his signature move from.

A Sadhu making his rounds.

Hanuman and Krishna

Ram Jula, aka: the long one.

Rita and her personal valet service.

We thought we'd be feeding the monks and instead these guys showed up.

These guys know EXACTLY when feeding time is.

He's coming straight for me!

Feeding the Sadhus was a great honour. You'd be amazed at the diversity of characters in the bunch.

Stealing the last of the bananas.

More bamboo scaffolding.

Arriving at Parmarth Niketan ashram at dusk for the Aarti ceremony.

This is their replacement Shiva statue the original having washed away in last year's floods.

Even though the ghat was full before we got there, we still managed to snag excellent fireside seats. I think it was my korta and pajama that gave me street cred.

I wonder what it's like being a blonde in an ocean of brunettes.

A little close up of Swami-ji....

Oh crap! He's clocked me!

This ashram takes in poor boys from around the country to educate them.

The speed of the Ganga's current here is incredible.

My plate of burning camphor.

Someone's jealous of Amit's Aarti lamp.

Taking in my last breath of Ganga-fied air before heading to the airport to see the match in Delhi.