Jaipur - Rajasthan, India

 Hawa Mahal - Palace of the Winds - was built in 1799 by Maharaja Pratap Singh. It's dedicated to Lord Krishna.

 There are a total of 953 sandstone "Jharokas" or screened windows to allow the women from former royal families to catch a glimpse of the city life without having to defy the then-prevalent purdah system:

 Amber (Amer) was the capital of the Kachchawahs from 1037 to 1727, when Sawai Jai Singh II moved it to Jaipur.

 The foundations of Amber fort were laid in 1592 by Raja Man Singh and it took about 137 years to be completed.

 Ganesh Pol (Ganesh Gate) provides access to the inner parts of the palace. Covered with frescoes, it was constructed on the orders of Mirza Raja Jai Singh:

 Marble relief detail on the wall of Diwan-i-Khas (Hall of Private Audience):

After the successful construction of Jantar Mantar in Delhi, Maharaja built another one in Jaipur:

 This is the largest observatory in India:

 Jaigarh Fort dates back to 1726 and its main purpose was to protect Amber Fort and the palace complex within it:

 Langur monkeys populate the fort now:

 The Elephant Festival is celebrated each year on the occasion of Holi:

 Folk dances and live music are part of entertainment:

 The most beautiful decorated elephant is awarded:

 Holi is the festival of colors:

 Moti Doongri Fort:

 Jal Mahal served as a hunting palace since the time it was built by Sawai Pratal Singh in 1799:

 Four of its floors are now submerged in the Mansagar Lake:

 Dream view of Jal Mahal:

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Greetings from Havana, Cuba

El gran sofa - the big sofa - as it’s called by the locals, the Malecon is one of the most enchanting landmarks of Havana.

Hundreds of locals and tourists come here day and night to play and enjoy the Atlantic breeze. Eduardo Gonzalez is one of the locals and he's playing his trombone, which he says is made in China and is of poor quality.

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I See Beautiful Angels - 2011

Thank you for making 2011 a sweet year and thank you for being brave in front of my big bad camera! Well, most of you:

We miss you!

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Varanasi & Sarnath - India

 Varanasi (Banaras or Benares or Kashi) is the most sacred place for Hindus.

 Ganges is said to have its origins in the tresses of Lord Shiva.

 Varanasi is - reportedly - the oldest living city in the world.

 The city attracts thousands of Hindu pilgrims every year:

 Wedding ritual on the ghats:

 Flute specialist:

 Sarnath is located 10 km north of Varanasi:

The 5th century AD Dhamekh Stupa is 34 m high:

 After the Buddha attained enlightenment in Bodh Gaya, he came to Sarnath.

 Here, in the Deer Park, he delivered his first sermon, or in religious terms, set in motion the Wheel of Law.

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