Esther's photos

Varanasi is considered to be a holy city by Buddhists and Jains, and is considered to be the the holiest place in the world by Hindus who believe that it was founded by the Hindu deity, Lord Shiva, around 5,000 years ago. It is believed to be one of the oldest continually inhabited cities in the world AIMG_9718

Khajuraho

Khajuraho was a capital of the Chandela kings from the 9th to the 11th century. During that period, approximately 85 temples were constructed there of which almost 20 remain in good to excellent condition. Khajuraho continued its religious importance until the 14th century but was afterwards largely forgotten and was overgrown by forests. Its remoteness probably saved it from the desecration of human images that Muslim conquerors traditiaonally inflicted on Hindu monuments. In 1838, British army captain, T.S. Burt, "discovered" the temples during a day trip. Burt' immediately recognized the historical value of the temples even though his Victorian sensibilities were shocked by the explicit and erotic sculptures that covered the walls of the temples. AIMG_9646

Khajuraho was a capital of the Chandela kings from the 9th to the 11th century. During that period, approximately 85 temples were constructed there of which almost 20 remain in good to excellent condition. Khajuraho continued its religious importance until the 14th century but was afterwards largely forgotten and was overgrown by forests. Its remoteness probably saved it from the desecration of human images that Muslim conquerors traditiaonally inflicted on Hindu monuments. In 1838, British army captain, T.S. Burt, "discovered" the temples during a day trip. Burt' immediately recognized the historical value of the temples even though his Victorian sensibilities were shocked by the explicit and erotic sculptures that covered the walls of the temples. AIMG_9648

A couple finds romance in the shadows of the temple. Khajuraho was a capital of the Chandela kings from the 9th to the 11th century. During that period, approximately 85 temples were constructed there of which almost 20 remain in good to excellent condition. Khajuraho continued its religious importance until the 14th century but was afterwards largely forgotten and was overgrown by forests. Its remoteness probably saved it from the desecration of human images that Muslim conquerors traditiaonally inflicted on Hindu monuments. In 1838, British army captain, T.S. Burt, "discovered" the temples during a day trip. Burt' immediately recognized the historical value of the temples even though his Victorian sensibilities were shocked by the explicit and erotic sculptures that covered the walls of the temples. AIMG_9632

Khajuraho was a capital of the Chandela kings from the 9th to the 11th century. During that period, approximately 85 temples were constructed there of which almost 20 remain in good to excellent condition. Khajuraho continued its religious importance until the 14th century but was afterwards largely forgotten and was overgrown by forests. Its remoteness probably saved it from the desecration of human images that Muslim conquerors traditiaonally inflicted on Hindu monuments. In 1838, British army captain, T.S. Burt, "discovered" the temples during a day trip. Burt immediately recognized the historical value of the temples even though his Victorian sensibilities were shocked by the explicit and erotic sculptures that covered the walls of the temples. The Sunday Challenge: Saucy AIMG_9633

A Siberian chipmunk peers down from a ledge on the Khajuraho temples, India. AIMG_9624

These Hindu temple carvings are in fantastic condition, considering that they are over 1000 years old. Khajuraho was a capital of the Chandela kings from the 9th to the 11th century. During that period, approximately 85 temples were constructed there of which almost 20 remain in good to excellent condition. Khajuraho continued its religious importance until the 14th century but was afterwards largely forgotten and was overgrown by forests. Its remoteness probably saved it from the desecration of human images that Muslim conquerors traditiaonally inflicted on Hindu monuments. In 1838, British army captain, T.S. Burt, "discovered" the temples during a day trip. Burt' immediately recognized the historical value of the temples even though his Victorian sensibilities were shocked by the explicit and erotic sculptures that covered the walls of the temples. AIMG_9620

Lionfish are voracious predators with beautiful but venimous sharp spines which they use for defense. They are native to the Indian Pacific Ocean region, not the Caribbean. They began appearing in great numbers after Hurricane Andrew damaged a Florida aquarium in 1992 and allowed six lionfish to escape. The first lionfish in Curacao was spotted in 2009 and since then, they have started appearing with great frequency. This specimen was captured and can be seen at the Curacao Seaquarium. Sharing its tank is Valonia ventricosa (green ball algae), AIMG_0620