India Beat

06/02/2026

Step into a world of stillness and raw beauty this September. Our upcoming 12-day journey through Ladakh is designed for those who seek the “beyond.”
We’ll begin in the Mushkow Valley at Drenmo Bear Lodge, one of the rare places on earth to observe the Himalayan Brown Bear in the wild. From there, we trek through the apricot orchards of the Sham Valley, finding ancient Buddha statues and 13th-century murals tucked away in the mountains.
The trip slows down at The Indus River Camp, where your chalet overlooks the water and the night sky reveals the Milky Way in all its glory. Guided by Nico, who has lived on these riverbanks for a decade, you’ll gain the kind of local perspective that only comes with deep-rooted connections.
Highlights:
• Dawn Bear Viewing: Rare sightings of the Himalayan Brown Bear.
• Spirit of Sham: A gentle 2-day trek through historic villages.
• Monastery Mornings: Early prayers at Thiksey, the 15th-century mountain complex.
• The High Plateau: Exploring the turquoise waters of Tso Moriri.
Join us:
🗓️ September 17th – 28th, 2026
👥 Small group: 6-10 guests

24/10/2025

Fifty grey langur monkeys came to visit our tent yesterday. Watching them and my kids interact was magical. They are fascinating creatures! 😂

14/03/2025

A dazzling tour with the joyful Peta Mathias

10/03/2025

08/03/2025

The Bayon Temple: A Masterpiece of Khmer Architecture

The Bayon Temple, located at the heart of Angkor Thom in Cambodia, is one of the most significant and enigmatic monuments of the Khmer Empire. Built in the late 12th or early 13th century under King Jayavarman VII, the temple is renowned for its massive stone faces and intricate bas-reliefs, reflecting both Buddhist and Hindu influences.

The Bayon is distinctive for its central tower sanctuary, which is surrounded by 54 smaller towers, each adorned with four colossal stone faces. These serene yet imposing faces, believed to represent the bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara or a deified image of Jayavarman VII, symbolize the king’s omnipresence and divine authority. Unlike earlier Khmer temples, which followed a linear or pyramid-like layout, the Bayon has a complex, almost labyrinthine structure, mirroring the transition from Hindu to Mahayana Buddhist architectural traditions.

The temple’s bas-reliefs provide a vivid historical record, depicting scenes of daily life, religious rituals, and military battles, particularly the Khmer-Cham conflicts. Unlike the mythological narratives of Angkor Wat, the Bayon’s carvings focus on realism, illustrating the social and cultural dynamics of the Khmer Empire at its peak.

05/03/2025

Six dishes in 25 minutes! So fun cooking in Chang Mai!

04/03/2025

The Karen Padaung, often referred to as the Long Neck People, are a subgroup of the Karen ethnic minority, originally from Myanmar’s Shan State. They are best known for the distinctive brass neck rings worn by women, a practice that begins in childhood and is traditionally associated with cultural identity, beauty, and social status. Contrary to common misconceptions, the rings do not elongate the neck but instead push down the collarbone and compress the ribcage, creating the appearance of an elongated neck.

Many Karen Padaung migrated to Thailand as refugees, fleeing conflict and political instability in Myanmar. Today, they reside primarily in semi-permanent villages in northern Thailand, where they face a complex reality: their cultural traditions attract significant tourism, yet their legal status remains precarious. Lacking Thai citizenship, they often have limited access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities outside of tourism.

The Karen Padaung represent a fascinating intersection of tradition and modernity, displacement and adaptation. Their complex story is about issues of refugee rights, cultural preservation, and ethical tourism in Thailand, it has been a fascinating experience to meet them.

03/03/2025

Bangkok—the city of temples, street food, monks, bars, museums, markets, and pure madness. A young metropolis, yet shaped by centuries of cultural fusion. Every street bursts with flavor, every corner hides a story. Chinese, Indian, Japanese, and American influences collide with Thailand’s open spirit, creating a kaleidoscope of chaos and charm like nowhere else.

26/02/2025

🤩 Meet the iconic Hawa Mahal—a pink sandstone marvel rising from the heart of the old city. Built in 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh, this five-story façade is adorned with nearly a thousand tiny windows (jharokhas). Each one allowed royal women to observe city life and festivities in privacy, capturing the essence of Jaipur’s regal past.

Inspired by the crown of Lord Krishna, the honeycomb-like structure floods its interiors with natural light and ventilation—hence the name “Palace of Winds.” It’s not just a monument; it’s a symbol of Rajasthan’s architectural ingenuity, blending elements of Mughal and Rajput design.

26/02/2025

These exquisite carvings come from a fourth-generation family of artisans in Jaipur, India—master carvers who have inherited techniques once used for ivory but now apply them to sustainably sourced sandalwood. Each delicate curve and detailed motif is a testament to their ancestral skill and devotion to preserving this centuries-old craft.

Historically, sandalwood’s distinct fragrance and smooth grain made it highly prized for spiritual and ceremonial objects. Its sculptural tradition even draws parallels with the precision and intricacy once seen in ivory carving. By choosing sandalwood, today’s artisans honor that legacy while embracing a more responsible medium.

The motifs you see—like the beloved Ganesha—carry deep symbolism. Ganesha, revered as the remover of obstacles, represents wisdom, new beginnings, and prosperity. Carving this deity in fragrant sandalwood imbues each piece with a sense of sacredness and serenity. These scenes and figures also reflect India’s rich cultural narratives, capturing moments of devotion, celebration, and heritage in every minute detail of the carving.