THE BLINDING BRIGHTNESS OF MARIGOLDS. THE SERENE WHITE OF THE TAJ MAHAL. THE SPICE OF A SRI LANKAN CURRY. THE SUBTLE FLAVOUR OF BASMATI RICE. THE SOUND OF TEMPLE BELLS IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE. THE MEDITATIVE SILENCE OF BUDDHIST DZONGS. GENTLE RIVERS. WARRIOR MOUNTAINS. THE EAST IS A MASS OF BEAUTIFUL CONTRADICTIONS. AND IT MUST BE SAID, THE MORE OF IT YOU SEE, THE LESS YOU KNOW.