Deep Dive

National Geographic photojournalist Andrew Evans returns to India with Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection, and through ME to WE experiences, comes home with sacred memories and images.

PHOTOS BY ANDREW EVANS

Forty-two year old Dalludi Bai, outside her family home in rural Rajasthan. As part of the ME to WE program, Bai hopes “all of my children can go to school and study and do well.”

Q: You've been to India twice before. What made this particular experience a unique experience?

A: ME to WE is an utterly new way to experience such a remarkable country. I was so impressed with the focus Uniworld placed on the people and culture of India. Showcasing the unfiltered beauty of rural India adds an amazing dimension to the experience, blending authenticity with comfort.

Q: You've traveled the world many times over with National Geographic. How does the Uniworld Sacred Ganges itinerary prove that travel can transform?

A: India changes you, and Uniworld’s intimate, face-first approach to India is a one-of-a-kind journey that highlights all the things that make India so wonderful. Uniworld’s Sacred Ganges itinerary especially immerses you in the peaceful nature, diverse people, and ancient spiritual tradition that is India. After just a week, I felt like I understood India in a way few foreigners ever do. I have seen and experienced rare and intimate moments that bring deeper meaning to my own life.

Q: Top three highlights from your trip?

A: Only three? Gosh—so many unforgettable moments! Doing yoga at sunrise on the back deck of the Ganges Voyager II while floating upriver was very powerful. I felt like I finally “got it” in terms of why people do yoga. In addition: waving at children and families on the riverbank; watching as holy men conducted Hindu rituals inside remote and silent temples; learning how to make real chai with fresh Indian spices; exploring the village marketplace, devoid of tourists; and exploring the dramatic city of Kolkata with a native who loves her hometown.

Seventh grade students take an exam outside of their WE school. Funded by the ME to WE program, it has an almost 100-percent graduation rate and full gender equality.

Q: Most photo-worthy moments?

A: India’s big sun adds extraordinary light to everything. Highlights include a fisherman right in the path of the sun’s pink reflection. And the temples’ devoted, humble spirituality. It’s not hard to take good pictures in India, because they’re happening around you all the time.

Q: Uniworld is known for onboard wellness programs. How did the yoga program, curated specifically to celebrate India's yoga culture impact you?

A: I found it to be so different from other river cruise experiences. Like the yummy, healthy options available at every meal, the comprehensive yoga program was à la carte— do as much or as little as you want. I loved doing a more rigorous workout in the morning, and then a gentle relaxation practice at sunset. I especially appreciated the many informative daytime lectures from our yoga teacher, who wanted us to really understand the history and philosophy of yoga. I gained a whole new perspective and realized that I don’t have to be “good” at yoga, but rather, yoga can help me be better.

Q: How does experiencing India by boat lend a different perspective?

A: Too many India itineraries focus on a handful of architectural highlights—the Taj Mahal, New Delhi’s Red Fort, Jaipur’s Pink Palace, etc.—but on a river cruise, you are seeing the country through the back door. I could stand on the balcony for hours watching the beautiful and surprising moments of daily life taking place along the riverbank. The Ganges is the mother of Indian civilization, and there is no better way to experience the spiritual heartland of the country than to float gently down the river, watching and interacting with a region that is barely touched by tourism.

Q: India has incredible cuisine. What's on your hit list for foodies?

A: Come to India prepared to eat! The food is one of the best parts of the experience, and there is food for every palate. Bengali cuisine is quite different than what you’ll find in Rajasthan or northern India, and Uniworld is very good about ensuring their guests get to try everything. Even more important, their food is prepared in a very controlled and hygienic environment on board, giving you peace of mind to try everything. In the same way, the meals the chef made at ME to WE’s Aravelli Camp were some of the best I’ve had. I really love Indian street food, especially the bhel puri (a savory puffed rice snack) and jalebi (a syrupy sweet fried pastry). The fish curry in Bengal is a must.

Q: Never thought I'd experience...

A: Having a sadhu (Hindu holy man) bless me and place a tika mark on my forehead, inside a 5,000-year-old temple filled with smoky incense and frolicking monkeys.

Yoga is offered as part of Uniworld’s onboard wellness programs.

Traditional dance showcases local culture.

Special events feature local leaders.

Q: How did this specific itinerary and shore excursions give an authentic glimpse into local life?

A: The combination Uniworld & ME to WE experience is a unique itinerary, meaning nothing is contrived. Instead, they gave me access to real people, real places, and spontaneous moments that were utterly unique and unaffected. In that way, the journey becomes incredibly personal. We had so much time to explore safely on our own by simply stopping on the riverbank and entering a tiny village and interacting with the locals. I loved that.

Q: Traveling with ME to WE showcases how travel can have a positive impact on local communities. What was most impactful for you?

A: ME to WE is such a powerful model for affecting positive change through sustainable and thoughtful travel. Every interaction I had brought direct benefit to individuals and the community. What they are doing seems so obvious—to make better choices in travel that offer a win-win situation for both the traveler (me) and the locals—yet I do not know of any other program achieving what ME to WE is in India. Taking part in all these aspects of local culture (cloth dying, dancing, carrying water, feeding goats, baking chapatti) was an amazing chance to put myself in another person’s shoes, and it made India a part of my own life experience. Meanwhile, my work and contribution helped provide education and economic opportunity for my hosts. That’s terrific and prevents the kind of exploitation that so often plagues modern tourism in the developing world.

Q: Was there a local you'll most remember?

A: The kids in Chanda Nagar, all getting out of school at the same time. They had no apprehension and were just so joyous, surrounding us and then showing us their town. We played hide and seek by the riverside—and then they followed us through the streets, just laughing and having a blast.

Q: During your time in Murshidabad, Baranagar, The Uniworld itinerary includes the area's incredible architecture. What has the biggest wow factor?

A: The sheer size of the palace and Islamic buildings was astonishing—touring the buildings really gave me a taste for the British colonial period and the grandeur of India. It felt like going back in time.

If You Go

Evans’ key advice as a seasoned traveler? Be in the moment.

BE OPEN. India is no funif you’re always trying toresist what’s in front of you.The constant surprise ispart of the excitement. Alsoremember that India is allabout the people, and thatthe best travel is a two-waystreet.

TAKE YOUR TIME. Mostevery Indian you meetwill be very excited to talkwith you. Never rush anexperience—take time to sitdown in the ruins and enjoyall the beauty that happensaround you.

WEAR SUNBLOCK. India isequatorial and hot.

A TASTE OF INDIA. Ask howto make the food they areserving you and go homewith some new recipes.

SAY, STRETCH. Do yoga!You’ll be surprised howmuch you learn in a shortwhile.

Need further inspiration? Enter EW17098 on the website on the back cover and discover Uniworld’s new itineraries inCentral Europe.