The Taj Mahal in its finest glory.

Shoes are taboo in the grounds of the Taj Mahal.

Gopal silhouetted against the setting sun at one of the minarets of the Taj Mahal.

As with all conservation sites, our inappropriate behaviour or actions can easily destroy eons of historical discovery.

The Qutab Archaeological Area attracts many Middle Eastern tourists.

Soldiers patrolling the site to guard against terrorist attacks on tourists.

Ruins at the Qutab Archaeological Area.

A man and his family on a visit to the Qutab Archaelogical Area. This dramatic silhouette was a grab-shot I took when the opportunity presented itself. I like this photo for its strong shapes, with the family placed off-centre. The black walls on both sides heightens the mystery and drama of what this archaelogical site can offer. The projections on the arch bids a welcome to all friendly visitors.

Children from the 'untouchable' caste playing on a small mound of sand.

At the lower sleeper deck, Gopal grins from ear-to-ear while Verma works out our expenditure. Cheers, guys - raise your Pepsi glasses!

Milton Raj comfortably entrenched in his lower-deck sleeper. Dream away, Milton.

This sleeper train connects Dehli to Lucknow. With all aboard, the train left 10 minutes after this picture was taken. It didn't take us long to fall asleep amid the relentless clatter of the wheels.

This porter at the railway station in Lucknow balances three pieces of fully-laden luggage precariously on his turbaned head while carrying another piece in his right hand. This seems the norm at any railway station in India. Prior to this, there is a haggling over the handling fee on a piece-meal basis. So now you know why he has four pieces of luggage.

An ingenious walking billboard advertising his range of sunglasses.

With a mirror, a chair festooned from discarded furniture and some basic equipment, this barber sets up his business in an unoccupied space and services his clients for a small fee.

Rakesh Verma and his wife outside their home in Lucknow. Thanks to the couple for their hospitality and good food during our stay there - Gopal, Milton Raj and I are appreciative of your generosity.

The tungsten light bathes Verma's home creating an ambience of welcome and warm hospitality.

This litter of piglets must have suckled well. In the freezing cold of the morning air just outside Verma's home in Lucknow, North India, they snuggle up to each other jostling for the best spot to doze off.

Right in the middle of a dump yard, a man urinates in broad daylight oblivious to the people around him. This seemed a common sight during my travel in India. Public toilets are hard to come by, so people just do what comes naturally in a natural environment and in a natural way.

Remember to zip up and rinse your hands after this, you hear!

Taking a leak against the walls of an abandoned building. The photo was taken from a moving train.

This traditional Dum Bryiani shop has been in the same location in Lucknow, India, for more than 40 years catering to an endless stream of hungry customers. Thanks to Rakesh Verma, a good friend of mine who insisted we try it.

Mutton Dum Bryiani - we bought additional packets to satisfy our insatiable appetite for Lucknow's traditional best.

Marinated tandori chicken before they are thrust into the tandor to bake.

By George, I'm flying!

The smiles on their faces say it all - it's great, it's fun; come join me!

Another favourite of the kiddies at Genting Highlands.

The casino city of Genting is also an integrated resort. Here a child rides a horse on the carousel. How many of you have never tried this as a child, I wonder.

Fried crickets for tea?

The Thais love their grubs which is a good source of proteins. Lunch anyone?

At the Immigration Checkpoint of the Kingdom of Cambodia, manual power is used to haul people and goods into Thailand and vice-versa, often, without a passport.

These tall majestic trees exude an aura of invincibility and conquest of the seemingly impregnable walls of of the Angkor Wat.

Looking much like an elephantiasis foot, this mammoth tree trunk has wrapped itself in a vice-like grip, and slowly but surely, it will crush the walls of this magnificent temple.

Our mini-bus went through one of these gateways guarding the temple complex.

Ancient pillars of strength that support the massive structures of the temple.

This four-sided statue has smiled on generations of devotees and visitors alike to the temple grounds. There is plenty to smile about as it is a World Heritage site and preservation and conservation work is on-going to restore Angkor Wat to its former glory.

The early morning light refreshes the ancient walls of the Angkor Wat giving it a life and stature admired for ages by visitors and held in high esteem by the Cambodians.

The short flight of steps lead to another corridor of the vast Angkor Wat. There are many entrances and exits, so it's best to stick close to your guide.

Two elderly women relax and chat in the ruins of the Angkor Wat.

Motor-cycle servicing and repairs is still a very viable trade given the fact that public transport is almost absent and the ubiquitous two-wheeler holds sway.

This is not an illusion or a colour-cast in the photograph. On that 5-hour journey to Siem Reap, everything and everything was covered in laterite dust. There is no respite from it.

The thousands of land-mine victims in Cambodia remind us of the harsh realities and atrocities of war. Here, the man has taken his fate in his stride (pun not intended) and plods on with his life on a three-wheel contraption crudely put together. Our prayers are with them.

Fish. anyone?

One can be forgiven for thinking that these are soft-drinks for sale alongside the refreshing coconuts in the background. We had stopped for a short break during our 5-hour journey along the trunk road from Thailand to Siem Reap. No, these are more potent than your cherryade, lemon-tea or orange drink. The long-nosed funnels are a dead give-away - yes, PETROL for motorcycles.

Bicycles are still the cheapest and most environmentally-friendly means of transport in this border town of Cambodia. It makes sense in a country where people find it extremely hard to break out of the poverty cycle.

This triple-share motorbike is the most convenient way to get around. Note the laterite road. We had entered Cambodia from Thailand and this is the trunk road leading to Siem Reap and the Angkor Wat. It was in such bad condition that we took 5 hours to cover 150 km!

What an ingenious was of transporting these huge vats - a motorcycle, a long wheel-base crudely welded to the rear, and you're in business. Many Cambodians hardly earn S$60 a month and as such, necessity is obviously the Mother of invention.

This is Siem Reap in Cambodia, one of our poorer cousins in ASEAN. I was 'shooting from the hip' from a moving bus but with a wide-angle lens, an aperture of f/7.1 and a shutter speed of 1/500 sec, the picture is sharp and the depth of field shows all the details from foreground to the background. The huge vats are used for the fermentation of soya beans, salted vegetables and fish sauce.

Like a graphic compass the signpost points the uninitiated to various sights on the island of Pulau Ubin. 30-40 years ago, you had to find your way around with a reliable 1:25,000 topo map and Silva compass, but it was more fun and challenging then.

The last passenger has left Pulau Ubin and the boats are moored alongside the jetty, tied securely together to ensure safety. As the lone boatman makes a cursory check on his lashings, the sun dips below the horizon and day is done. Sleep well my dear boatmen, for tomorrow is another day and your good health, vitality and experience are needed to bring life once again to nostalgic Pulau Ubin.