Do you like the travel photography and the coffee table conservation starters? Then you’ll love what LIFE Books has released. Heaven on Earth: The World’s Must See Destinations is a treat full of places we should all probably visit.

Today we’re looking at the Taj Mahal in Agra, India. The Taj Mahal is an UNESCO World Heritage Site and is considered one of the greatest examples of Muslim art in India (and the world?).

Some history: In 1632 Emperor Shah Jahan of Mughal Empire constructed the Taj Mahal (well, not him per se, but he knew people) as a mausoleum for his much-loved third wife Mumtaz Mahal. Upon completion of the shrine the emperor, according to Wikipedia, said:

Should guilty seek asylum here,
Like one pardoned, he becomes free from sin.
Should a sinner make his way to this mansion,
All his past sins are to be washed away.
The sight of this mansion creates sorrowing sighs;
And the sun and the moon shed tears from their eyes.
In this world this edifice has been made;
To display thereby the creator’s glory.

In a nutshell, he thought they did a nice job.

If you are visiting India the Taj Mahal is a must-see. Just ask the 4 million visitors that arrive there annually. They’ll vouch for it.

Photo: Taj Mahal by Larry Burrows/LIFE, courtesy of LIFE Books

The best of both worlds...

Beach, meet forest. Forest, the beach.

This beach is located near Chennai in India. It looks fantastic.

This is a (mostly) Wordless Wednesday post.

Photo by Balaji.B via Flickr

Travel to exciting destinations while receiving expert instruction to expand your photography skills!

Y Explore offers custom photography tours/workshops of Yosemite National Park. Learn techniques from expert photography instructors in the dramatic scenery that Yosemite is famous for. Photographic subjects during the tour include granite monoliths and domes, waterfalls, wildflowers, black bears, and other wildlife. All levels of photography experience are welcome. Prices range from $250 to $600 per person, depending on the workshop.

Combine your photography vacation to Northern California with Shasta Cascade regional destinations, such as exploring Historic Highway 99, taking a trip on the Shasta Sunset Dinner Train, or indulging in a luxury houseboat rental from Silverthorn Resort.

Read More »

When you consider both the mustache debacle and the fact that I was given a 9mm by my brother with the Greyhound bus I was to board en route to Tim & Robin in Oklahoma City, you can imagine my mindset.

I was sneaking on a gun.
I had a dyed face.
I was on a mode of transportation that suited neither.

Funny how on the previous rides, they were the freaks. Read More »