On top of the Himalayas...

Michael and I took pictures of the highest peak of the Himalayas near where we are staying at dawn this morning.
Driving up at 5 a.m., the stars were so big and bright and felt so close it was as if we could almost reach out and grab them.
The pictures of the mountains as the sun begins to cast its light on the mountain tops will speak for themselves. Just on the other side of the highest peak we photographed lies China.
After our 90-minute photo shoot, we had a traditional Indian breakfast, prepared by a friend of the late British naturalist Jim Corbett, a hero in this area who worked tirelessly to preserve the natural beauty and animals of this region.
The modest building in which he made our breakfast bread and chai was built in 1847.
Pictures to come later - wifi is very slow here unless you're in a business or government office, so it takes a major time commitment to upload them -- we'll hopefully be home this weekend (unless weather causes delays), and I'll be able to post the many photos that have been awaiting your perusal.
This evening we're going to an animal preserve to photograph its stars in their natural habitat, then I'm going for round two of taking pictures of the hundreds upon hundreds of swallows that come inside the resort to spend every night in two huge ficus trees planted near the pool.
Meanwhile, Indian TV news reports that Egypts President Mubarak "unleashed" his "supporters" to show that there are still people who like him, in what Indian media described as a last minute desperate attempt to influence national and international opinion about him.
Trouble is, the anti-government/Mubarak protesters were unarmed, his supporters showed up armed.
Indian TV has been carrying the story live for days, and while the anti-Mubarak throngs have been thousands and thousands deep, Mubarak "supporters" were few by comparison.
One Indian TV reporter was attacked with rocks, he dived behind an army truck, where he was asked by a soldier for his ID. He said he was Indian, a journalist, and showed credentials. The soldier told the reproter to get behind him and he would lead him to safety.
Since then the army withdrew from the area, apparently not wanting to appear to be attacking any protesters, even though at this point someone needs to restore order and stop the violence.
Along with the Egypt story, the cricket World Cup games are the big story. Cricket is played everywhere here; I've come to enjoy the game from watching it here.
I just read that CNN's Anderson Cooper was also assaulted by pro-Mubarak demonstrators (who at this point it seems may be described as thugs) and that US media are sending their stars to cover this story.
In the grand scheme of things, I believe it warrants this sort of coverage.
It's the first "internet uprising" spurred by young people, starting in Tunisia weeks ago.
One conclusion drawn by several broadcasters and newspaper journalists here: dictators are on their way out; that gradually the world will be rid of them. That Mubarak should be the last Pharoah of Egypt, and his ouster will be followed by others.
Later!