A totally unexpected trip for this year..with us making our maiden trip to India..in this hot hot summer! I was initially speechless when I checked out that the temperature in Aurangabad is at least 38C..and during the period which we were there..it can reach to 40C...all of us were hoping for the best before we departed Singapore haha..
The night flight with Qantas brought us to Mumbai Airport at about 3am..we made our way to the Domestic Terminal..taking our flight to Aurangabad..the place which we can make trips to UNESCO world heritage caves like the Ajanta and Ellora Caves..We met up with our driver..who doesnt understand much English..but I am glad he brought us safely to this hoteL:
Hotel Bagga International.
a suspected toilet
women on street
their school bus
Just a quick tip, intially we wasnt sure how to plan for our travel in Aurangabad..as there wasnt much tips given from Tripadvisor..so I googled and found this travel company Saibaba Travels..
I sent them an email if they can help us arrange the logistics and stuff..and their replies were quick and prompt..thanks to them..we made our booking at the hotel..and our transport to the caves easily..
The hotel was big enough and clean enough..same as the toilet..we unpacked our stuff..had our 1st meal at the hotel..and set off for Ajanta Caves!
lorry filled with people climbing on top of one another to get a seat!
strong macho lady walking in the hot heat with a huge load on her head!
Reaching Ajanta Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage site, famous for its caves dated from 2nd B.C. to 6th A.D, was a challenge as it's our 1st time facing the hot and harsh weather in Aurangabad.
Ajanta Entry
Our car stopped by at the gate, and immediately we were approached by this man..who claimed he can bring us around, help us look after our shoes, and bring us safely back to the car after our expedition to Ajanta..we decided to engage him..and I'm glad we did..
we need to take a bus from the entrance straight into the mountains where Ajanta caves are located. 7Rs for non-AC bus, 12 Rs for AC bus(one-way). The bus was filled with people. Almost everyone was looking at us as we are the only ones that are non-Indians..it's just a weird feeling..as if we are aliens..and so the bus drove us to Ajanta caves, where we alighted, and began our exploration of this Buddhist caves.There are in total 30caves to explore. some of them required you to take off your shoes.
The U-shaped arrangement of the 30caves at Ajanta
The dryness!like a desert..all the water has evaporated..no rivers...no waterfall!
From sculptures to paintings and intricate carvings, telling the life story of Buddha...the caves gave so much history that it's impossible to savor all in a day.. As I looked at the statues and paintings, I wondered how amazing people in the past did all these with their hands..The caves were rather well painted in fact, just that some of the paintings have dropped off..
Cave 1
trying to do some zoom effect with this painting on the wall
Sculptures
people trying to quench their thirst while we are not so brave to try!
Kids having summer holidays
Sleeping Buddha
And so cave by cave..we walked and took pictures..and get bombarded by Indians who wanna take pics with us as we are rare species to be seen at this time..in May..the weather is the hottest..in fact..there is no tourist being seen there except for 1 or 2 angmohs..and that's us..4 ladies..braving the hot sun..well..I was down with heatstroke at the end of the day though..haha..talking about survivor training..even with my jungle hat, shades, sunscreen..it really doesnt help much when you are faced with 38C and 20%humidity..
The pillars in the cave
some chairlift services in case for people who cant walk after being heated!
Majestic
Silent View
there were many children at the Ajanta caves that day..awaiting to take some great pics with us haha..and we also spotted their monkeys..not ever seen in the zoos..
all looking so anxious and ecstatic at the photos
after a 4h walk..we made our way back to the car..to our relief..throwing in tons of water into our dehydrated bodies..and left the place back to hotel..
we walked to the nearby Big Bazaar for a meal..and realised all shopping centres in India require you to put yr handcarry bags at their security guard house before u enter the malls. even after buying something, you are requested to show your receipt at the exit before they allow you to leave..security was tight..perhaps due to the bomb blasts that have happened before..
we had chicken briyani that day...sumthing which I saw from a documentary that it is a must try in India..and so I did..and it was spicy to my taste.. my stomach is rather weak..cant really have too much spicy food..while the others have a glass of Lassi..their yogurt drink..
Spicy Chicken Briyani
Time to have a rest before our next adventure at Ellora Caves tomorrow!
