Just starting our 'pilgrimage' up Palitana, 3500 steps to 865 Jain temples. We were here about a month ago and have since travelled to the other side of India, and north- where it is much cooler! 

Adam with pack donkeys, both on their way up Palitana. 

A temple on Palitana hill 

My feet by the Arabian Sea in Diu- an island off the southern coast of Gujurat 

Diu 

Bianca, the daughter of a family we made friends with in Diu, she told great jokes taught us a few new card games. 

This beautiful Mantis made quite a stir. We were playing cards and chatting with a jain family on their hotel porch during a hot afternoon, when all of a sudden...the Mantis popped down right next to Bianca, startling her and the entire family, they backed away from it quickly (Jains don't believe in killing bugs, its sinful for them to do so) fearful of hurting it. Adam bent down to take this picture and the mantis didn't budge, Chandresh (the father) thought this was because the Mantis knew Adam was vegetarian, Chandresh was really excited, and maybe took it as some sign of our Karma. When he hugged Adam goodbye- he kissed him on the neck- which is a sign of respect and friendship in India.  

Friends I made on Girnar Hill- we couldn't understand eachother, but we became friends regardless for the time being. They were completely fascinated by my white skin- which they kept pinching. Its perfectly acceptable for people to kiss cheeks and hands- if you are the same sex, so they kept kissing me- all three of them at the same time. It must have been quite a sight for the pilgrims. 

Adam with a bamboo walking stick, going down Girnar Hill- Jain pilgrimage 

Uncomfortable ride in a local train 

A family that befriended us on an extremely crowded train ride. 

Some of the children we entertained in Sasan Gir. 

Shivuni 

yong turtle at a breeding center in Sasan Gir 

This is adam's attempt to break into a tortoise videography. I hope you can view this, if not- its just a turtle walking. 

The next few pictures are from a safari we went on in Sasan Gir, Gujurat. Out of the many species we were able to see- this is just a small sample. Peacocks and Barking Deer make up the majority of animals in the park. Sasan is also home to the largest antelopes in the world, Gir Tigers, Sambar (huge deer), Aligators, Mongoose and hundreds of bird species, including Kingfisher! 

Adam- vine swinging. 

Parrot 

Here we are, 15 feet away! He could care less.  

Brother Gir Lions!!!  

Barking deer 

Can juice wallas in Amedabad (Amdavad) 

Buddha at Sanchi 

We found this beauty in the main market area of Orccha. The owner would gather a crowd into a circle around the cow, blindfold her, give his watch to a random person in the crowd. After untying the blindfold he would chant a phrase over and over until the cow stopped infront of the watch holder, the person holding the watch was then obligated to drop a few rupees into a tin can attatched to the cows' dress. Poor cow- had to parade around like this all day long. 

Adam inside an enormous Hindu temple. Many of the temples and palaces in Orccha are a blend of Mughal and Hindu architecture. It was one place where the two roups refrained from fighting for quite some time, when the Mughals left all the palaces were converted into Hindu temples.