What an amazing trip. Lindy and I stayed on an extra week, mainly to take a look at Corbett National Park and to catch the kite festival and celebrations in Jaipur during the Makar Sankranti festival.
Corbett was freezing cold at night but glorious during the day and I can see why many people say it is the most beautiful of the Indian parks. In the foothills of the Himalayas with a monsoon river running through, it is particularly scenic. We weren't holding out for Tigers given the success of our March Tiger trip to the central Indian parks, nevertheless Corbett treated us to one of the most exciting Tiger sightings I've had and Lindy's first Tiger! It was too late in the day to get any decent shots but the excitement of our driver and his determination to get us a great sighting as the light faded fast made for a thrilling end to one of our days in Corbett and just in time for us to tear back to camp before the strict park curfew. 
The kite festival in Jaipur was equally exciting. Jaipur has a population of maybe 3 million and I reckon all 3 million were either flying kites or watching. Most people were up on their rooftop. The lines are coated with glass so it's possible to cut others' kites and when this happens there's a resounding cry from the successor, akin to England scoring in the World Cup. We did some flying ourselves and it's definitely addictive. Everyone buys 50 plus kites, some buy hundreds to allow for cuts - we spent a few hours on the eve of the festival watching people doing their last minute kite shopping. A bird hospital is set up to cope with birds that fly in to the lines but apart from that, the mood is infectious and jubilant with colourful dancers and special sweets especially for Makar Sakranti. 
What a hoot! When's the next festival?!
Julie
Back from India!!! 24th January 2010
Rajasthan slideshow - 10 January 2010
I have put together a first cut of a slideshow to give you all some idea of what we got up to and what we saw. Most of these shots need some more processing, but you will get the idea.
What fun we had!
Adam
Just back from Rajasthan - 10 January 2010
Sadly I left Julie and Lindy in a cold and foggy Delhi yesterday morning. They are moving on to Corbett National Park for a chance to see a tiger and then a kite festival. Due both to the fog in Delhi and the snow in London my flight was 11 hours late. So, how do I sum up the trip so far. Little wildlife (unusually for us) but lots of fun and shots of many beautiful people.
In Delhi we went to our favorite carpet shop for some serious bargaining with Professor Butt (yes, his real name ..) at his shop (he is the one with the beard below). This is not the first time we have done this with him, but the first when he produced a bottle of Indian Rum, of which 75% was consumed!
Then off to Rajasthan to capture the amazing colour and good humour of the people there. The shots below a quick snapshot of what we captured in the cities, towns, villages and isolated farmer's homes. 90% of people loved having their photograph taken, it really is a photographers dream. 
We were fortunate to be able to see some dancing and the images from these stars will stay with us for many years!
Shepherds were also very friendly, proud and loved having their photos taken. The chap on the right slept outside with his lambs to ensure that nothing happened to them. A former soldier, he was a real gent.
The men have a tradition of smoking a rather unusual pipe which is very very strong indeed!
Both the men and women wore wonderful rings, chains and other jewels.
Some of the ladies we met liked Julie's earings!
There were so many subjects: two of my favorites.
Finally, towards the end of the trip we went off for a two night camel safari. Really getting away from it all. Great fun camping out and starting off each morning on the back of our camels (one of whom unusually was called Rambo!). This was me on the back of mine enjoying a morning cigar.
Once Julie is back, we will put together a proper slide show and trip report. An exceptional trip which shows that people can at times be just as interesting as animals for our cameras. We had a great time, the food was amazing and above all the Indian people we met were exceptional!
Adam (from a cold London!)