Fort Jesus is a UNESCO World Heritage site that was built in 1591 by the Portugese in the old town of Mombasa. According to Wikipedia, "between 1631 and 1875 the fort was won and lost nine times by the nations contesting control of Kenya." And in case you're wondering, those are shark jaws being sold on the street in the forth photo!

Technical details: Sony a33 and 18-55mm lens.

Kole Kole is part of the Baobab Beach Resort, lying on the white sands of Diani Beach, south of Mombasa. The friendly chaps in the first few photos were more than happy to pose while doing their antics in our hotel room!

Technical details: Sony a33 with Sigma 105mm, Minolta 70-210mm and Sony 35mm lenses.

Technical details: Sony a33 with Samyang 8mm fisheye lens.

Photo 5 shows protesters outside Harvey Nichols - one of only two department stores selling fur clothing in the UK. The painting in Photo 8 was taken in the Saatchi Gallery.

Technical details: Fuji X-M1 with Fujinon 60mm macro lens.

Like last year (click here), here is another round-up of some of the most memorable images taken over the past year. Click the photos to navigate to the associated full blog post. Happy viewing!

Please take a few minutes to vote for your favourite photos - click here.

How apt that the final post from India ends at the southernmost tip of the country at Kanyakumari, where three great seas meet - the Bay of Bengal, the Arabian Sea, and the Indian Ocean. From certain locations, you can see sunrise and sunset over the water from the same place! First three photos are of sunset taken at the southernmost tip (although I didn't venture out onto the rocky boulders with the vicious monsoon waves!) and also from the sunset tower. The last three photos taken from the balcony of the Sea View hotel. This was my third visit (while on the theme of 3s!) to the holy pilgrimage site, and Kanyakumari has not yet failed to produce a magnificent sunrise and sunset!

"According to Hindu legend, Kanya Devi, an avatar of Parvati, was to marry Siva, but as he failed to show up on his wedding day, the rice and other grains meant for the wedding feast remained uncooked and remain unused thereafter. As the legend goes, the uncooked grains turned into stones as time went by. Some believe that the small stones on the shore today, which look like rice, are indeed grains from the wedding that was never solemnised. Kanya Devi is now considered a virgin goddess who blesses pilgrims and tourists who flock the town" (Wikipedia).

Technical details: Sony a850 with Tokina 19-35mm and Tamron 28-75mm lenses.

Photos taken during trips on the Keralan backwaters, off the Vembanadu lake near Alleppey (Alappuzha) and Kumarakom. Staying in a relatively luxurious houseboat was a unique experience - being spoilt by having our own and very hospitable staff on board, and able to observe the changing waterscapes from our comfortable lounge deck. However you can't beat the stealthiness and magical serenity of a punting / row boat gliding through the smaller channels without the noise of the engine! The first photo was taken in the early hours of the morning from the banks of Muhamma.

Technical details: Sony a850 with Tokina 19-35mm and Minolta 70-210mm lenses.

The first photo is taken during an elephant ride through the spice plantations for which the fertile land of Thekkady is famous for. A nature walk and bamboo rafting the following day gave us opportunity to see fresh footprints of a huge Bengal tiger (unfortunately we didn't see one in the flesh!) Visiting during the off-peak monsoon, our small group of 7 were the only people, along with our guides, on the river and it really felt as if we had the National Park to ourselves.

Technical details: Sony a850 with Tamron 28-75mm lens.

During our day stopover in Bangalore, we were fortunate to catch the floral extravaganza taking place in the beautiful botanical gardens of Bangalore. The nine-day annual horticultural show celebrates Independence Day and Republic Day every August.

Technical details: Sony a850 with Tamron 28-75mm lens.

Built between 1729 and 1732, it was the seat of the Maharaja of Jaipur, the head of the Kachwaha Rajput clan. The Chandra Mahal palace now houses a museum but the greatest part of it is still a royal residence. It combines a fusion of the Shilpa Shastra of Indian architecture with Rajput, Mughal and European styles of architecture. (Adapted from Wikipedia). The sixth photo of a traditional puppet show has a guest appearence of a bizarrely-talented dancing Michael Jackson!

Technical details: Sony a850 with Tamron 28-75mm lens.

Photos taken at the beautifully decorated ITC Rajputana hotel in Jaipur - I think the only place I've been lucky enough to hear live Indian Classical music (in the Jal Mahal restaurant, meaning Water Palace) during breakfast! The lobby shown in the fifth photo is takes inspiration from an number of different types of local landmarks and architectural / design styles.

Technical details: Sony a850 with Tokina 19-35mm and Tamron 28-75mm lenses.