tour of south, moving north, picking up others and HOLI

Hi. Well, Onelovetours has had more tours go out this first season than I have anticipated which is great! And, people have been loving their tours! Through the south we went to visit the largest Tibetan Community in India with Ceril and Alicia...and the main anchor, Kelsi.


Staying a night there during Tibetan New Year (all the monks had off) I spent the entire night playing ping pong against them. About 4 hours and I went through about 100 of them, losing one game (but I beat the same guy about 3 times). I felt like forest gump, when in truth, monks are some poor ping pong players.


We all went to visit an elephant camp after. I wish someone would scrub me down like that!

Then we went on a beautiful southern temple tour to Belur and Halibet.


That's Alicia above with her trusty umbrella.


Everything done by hand.



We stopped along the side of the road to see how they make pure jaggery. Solid Sugar.

Walking up about 700 stairs to see the famous Jain statue.

The crew for the day!


at the top of the small mountain, this statue, carved from one stone, stands at about 70ft tall.


A day in Bangalore and we went to the park and saw the carved bushes and enjoyed the peacefulness, cleanliness, and quietness of the area.

Kelsi and Rose in a big ass tree!

Then we ventured through the city market and got lost in the flower market area.

The colors speak for themselves.

Finally found a great driver in the south who I will use to represent onelovetours.

There was a big vote whether or not to allow Genetically Engineered Eggplant...luckily it was turned down. India is becoming more aware...slowly.

Then we headed north and after picking up Rachel and Najat we met up again in the village with my Indian family.
They were busy working before Holi Festival.

Let Holi and the party begin and the paint fly!!!!! This Rohit, always in the middle of the action.

The girls!

Rachel----always a crowd pleaser!

She is shy as you can see.

Who knows how Kelsi kept paint out of her eyes and mouth.

Najat and Jyoti getting each other...friendly!

You can see the paint dust as Pooja rubs my head. The amount of paint I consumed, too much.

Towards the end of the festivities.

The full family.
I look like the devil in this picture. I don't remember making this face. But a great day!!!!!!

Kelsi on tour, Back to Mysore, clinic, and good eating.

So, this is the end of my Goa month. I finished with a visit from 3 more visitors on tour. Kelsi from US, Silke and Natalie from Germany.

I got ice cream one day and couldn't get over the ingredients. When I think about the long list of ingredients that are on the label in the US. I try to imagine them making ice cream here in India and asking for some dairy and fat to throw in.


Cows on a beach. Pictures of this never get old.

Watching the sunset with a glass of wine. This is Kelsi. If you want to read about her trip, she blogs at: http://worldcowgirl.wordpress.com/


Me and the girls enjoying the quiet beach and the immaculate sunset.

Cheap advertising, but a little different, just as I try to make my tours.

2 is good. 3 would be too much.



I was excited and we were trying for unique shots.

This is Moti, working on our seafood platter. Beautifully fresh and tasty.

The dinner which is at the top of the list for meals since in India and maybe in a lifetime.

We headed out one morning for a dolphin boat trip and to visit a secluded beach among coconut trees.

Arriving at the secluded beach.

Kelsi and I befriended a family on our train ride. We had about an hour of singing back and forth with them, they shared their snacks, we shared our spot on the floor. Everyone of them had beautiful smiles! This was an experience we couldn't have planned for.

A big cow temple. Did you know they like cows in India?

Street market as the night arrives.

Back to Jag Therapy with Antoine and cooking delicious, tasty, healthy food.

With my boy Anjin!!!!!

I spent time with Anthoine (who is a studied perfumer, oil man) learning about incense and the different qualities. I ordered a full box of 100% pure incense. One stick burns about an hour, you don't inhale any chemicals, and the smell is great! If anyone wants to buy some when I get home, you can buy a package of about 60 for $10. In NYC, crappy ones on the street are about $3 for 20-30 peaeces. Cinnamon, Basil, Magnolia, Lemongrass, Sandal wood.

These are the guys whose family does the incense. His grandfather started it in the 60's (surprise, surprise)

Back at the clinic, learning! Ciao!

My place in Goa

Hi. This is the place I rented for all next season on the beach in Goa! Book now! It's awesome!

Goa and my peeps

Beautiful Goa!!!! I have visited a lot of beaches in Goa and put myself on my favorite one for a month. Big beach, clean, not too crowded and can get to farm and local areas in a short walking distance



As Ann left, I had to make myself a home here. I had a great trip with her, but as an American worker, she had to hurry back after her two week trip. After some time away from meat, I attacked the fresh seafood that was available here.

Beautiful back country


The local specialty is tandoori fish.


Fresh Calamari that myself along with new friend, Caroline and Tristan (who is a chef) prepared for a fantastic dinner.
And Crab that we bought directly off the boat one morning from an old fisherman who made us think of old man in the sea.

Tristan and Caroline who stayed with me a few days. A couple of good people from England.

Scenery of some beaches.
More beaches.


Reading misspelled menus are one of my favorite things to do in this country, can keep me laughing all day!

A staple at Agonda beach, quality food and a good hangout to meet people.


This is my house that I stay at. Big porch, prime location.

I can never get over all the cows hanging out and walking on the beaches.


The jungle, village life 5 minutes from the beach.


Then...Shiggity S Hemptz arrived from Kuwait, my ex roomate at MSU, I haven't seen in almost 4 years. I love this guy!! Bought a last minute ticket and is hanging out for a week. And we did a day trip with our neighbor, Christine from Germany.


This is the Basilica that St Francis is burried in. Near to the Capital of Goa.

I like watermelon, they talk to me.

We are cool!!!!!

Daily, specatacular sunsets!!! They never get old.


Some times I just have to rough it while in India.