Long, long day of flights. From Udaipur we had to go to Delhi because Mumbai airport was closed. We had to go through the whole security horror and luggage horror where we can only take 15 kgs on these internal flights and people (not me) had to pay excess. It went on and on. We finally got on the plane in Udaipur and off in Delhi. Unfortunately we had to get our luggage and go through the whole check in thing again, and security etc.
Anyway long and short of it is that we are here in Aurangabad and in a nice hotel only to be up at 5.30 in the morning to make our way to the Ajanta Caves. From what I gather it will be an arduous day of climbing. They do offer seats to be carries by 4 men for some people and some members are taking this up but I wouldn’t be seen dead doing this so climb I will.
A short one today…tomorrow will be big!!
Ajanta Caves
This exhausting/ amazing tour just keeps on rolling on at a cracking pace. After getting to Aurangabad late, having a late dinner and falling into bed, we were woken at 5.30 am to get ready for a 7am start. On the buuuus!!!
But one of our group, one of my favourite people, Natasha wasn’t with us. Overnight she’d got a call that her sister was very ill (???), her parents weren’t coping with it all so she had to get on a plane back to London. I’m sad that she isn’t here any more…she is such a bright spark, and one of my mates.
To continue…It was a long 3.5 hr drive to get to the Ajanta caves. The last 5kms we have to transfer to a government bus which is just barely holding together and is so full you cant move. Anyway we got there and the fun began. First a steep climb up a hill…fortunately there was a ramp and some stairs so I was able to opt for the ramp not that that was easy. The sun beats down on you and you sweat like a pig as you climb and climb. Memories of the caves in Sri Lanka
That got us to the first caves. Caves 1 & 2 were spectacular…covered in remarkable paintings covering the walls and ceiling. They are intricate and detailed and tell the stories of Buddha and of court life dating back to the 2nd century. The caves were monasteries and the monks cells were carved into the walls. Some others were temples with stupas inside and beautifully carved rock. The carved out the caves completely from scratch, a monumental feat. Carving statues and pillars from the top down and then creating these amazing paintings in what must have been nearly complete dark. All a bit awe inspiring.
We walked along through the caves, there are 30. Cave 17 again has spectacular paintings throughout. We walked up and down masses of stairs as we made our way along the caves which are a horseshoe in the mountainside. It was blazing hot and sweaty business but I did it and again, it always feels good to get the job done. One of the women on the trip was transported by 4 men carrying a palanquin. OMG, save me from this humiliation.
We had lunch in a restaurant at the caves which was fine and then had the long drive back here to Aurangabad. Everyone was exhausted.
We now got a couple of hours to shower and ready ourselves to go out to dinner tonight for tandoori which will be a welcome change.
Back from dinner. It was the best meal we’ve had yet…really delicious and for once not a buffet so that was good. We then needed to finish off the gin before tomorrows flight so I went off to Laureen’s room for a bit of a chin wag and a night cap.
Big day again tomorrow…must get some sleep