DAILY PHOTO: Bactrian Camels in Shyok Valley

Posted on August 26, 2016 by B Gourley

Taken in the Nubra Valley (Shyok Valley) in August of 2016

It’s the question everybody is always asking, “Do you prefer your camels with one hump, or two?”

Until our visit to Ladakh, our only experience was with single-humped camels, in places like Rajasthan and the UAE.

I have to say that I, personally, found the handling characteristics and ride of the two-humped (i.e. bactrian) camel to be marginally superior.

Of course, the bactrian is like a Porsche. It’s not at all practical as a family sedan. The two humps don’t allow room for passengers or cargo.

My main complaint, however, is that (as you may note from the last picture) I got a camel with a flaccid hump. It was just flopped to the side. How do you think that made me feel?

DAILY PHOTO: Main Market, Leh

Posted on August 25, 2016 by B Gourley

Taken in August of 2016 in Leh

DAILY PHOTO: In a Temple at Lamayuru Monastery

Posted on August 24, 2016 by B Gourley

Taken in August of 2016 at Lamayuru Gompa

DAILY PHOTO: Rainy Day in Sonamarg

Posted on August 23, 2016 by B Gourley

Taken in July of 2016 in Sonamarg

DAILY PHOTO: Nishat Bagh, Srinagar

Posted on August 22, 2016 by B Gourley

Taken in July of 2016 in Srinagar

Bangalore–during one of the city’s many iterations–was once called the “garden city.” While this title is as likely to be mocked as honestly cited these days, if I were issuing that title to an Indian city it would have to go to Srinagar. Many Indian cities have an impressive botanical garden, and some have some picturesque parks. But Srinagar takes the cake for a city its size. Besides the Botanical Garden there’s the Nishat Bagh (pictured), Shalimar Bagh, the Char Chinar, and Nehru Park. Furthermore, there are historical sites such as the Pari Mahal and Chashme Shahi Bagh that are also loaded with plants and flowers.

DAILY PHOTO: Marmot Along the Road to Pangong Tso

Posted on August 21, 2016 by B Gourley

Taken along the road to Pangong Tso in August of 2016

The one on the bottom was rocking out, singing “Don’t Stop Believin'” by Journey into an air mic. Not really, but you can imagine it, can’t you? In fact, I bet you now have that tune stuck in your head. You’re welcome.

DAILY PHOTO: Giant Maitreya of Diskit

Posted on August 20, 2016 by B Gourley

Taken in August of 2016 in Diskit, India

It’s over 100ft (30m) tall.

A Maitreya is a “future Buddha,” meaning a Buddha who hasn’t yet appeared, but who was prophesied to live in an era to come. For people unfamiliar with Buddhism, this might seem strange. The Buddha we normal think of is Gautama Buddha, or the Shakyamuni Buddha (Siddhartha Gautama.) He was the founder of the religion, but one of many said to have achieved enlightenment. In other words, the Buddha we think of was an awakened one, not the awakened one.