Ajanta Caves

Tuesday 6 January 2009 Aurangabad, India
No lights this morning, which now means two things ... no toast, or hot shower. Today we headed for the Ajanta Caves. This was about a 1 hour drive, and more cattle, goats, and potholes to contend with. Arriving at the visitor centre you are confronted with lots of shop owners trying to win your affection giving you 'free gifts' of small crystals and telling you their shop number and to make sure you visit on your way back. There is then a short bus ride up into the hills where you are dropped off and can make your way up the steep staircase. Along the way we were greeted with Indians carrying chairs to make your journey more comfortable, of course trying to bargain with you a price to carry you and convince you that the 4km you are about to embark is quite exhausting, and just when you think you are about to cave, you push through and then realise you are at the top and everything is down hill from here. What is down hill is some 30 temples, one after the other, after the other, all carved into a valley ... a horseshoe shaped stone valley. A guide took us through some of the carved temples, all of which are Buddhist, and it is just incredible. Once again we were gob smacked by the attention to detail and the beauty of t.he work. We spent pretty much the whole day here, having lunch, then heading back down in the bus to face the vendors. They are all good business men, and all trying to get a good deal. Funny thing was that it didn't matter if you were in their shop or their mates, they would still try and sell you something to you off the closest shelf. We all did a little bargaining and all came out happy. A little drive back to the hotel and a sleep along the way and we were ready for a lovely dinner and a few drinks ... along with a hot shower (lights were back on).