January 5, 2018
After couple days in Mumbai I based myself in Aurangabad for a tour of the Ajanta and Ellora Caves.
INDIA, AJANTA CAVES
Buddhist rock-cut cave temples and monasteries, located near Ajanta village, north-central Maharashtra state, western India, that are celebrated for their wall paintings. The temples are hollowed out of granite cliffs on the inner side of a 70-foot (20-metre) ravine in the Wagurna River valley 65 miles (105 km) northeast of Aurangabad, at a site of great scenic beauty.
INDIA, Baby Taj Mahal, Aurangabad
There is a miniature version of the Taj Mahal in Agra, just much smaller and considered a draft of the much larger Taj Mahal.
January 6, 2018. INDIA, ELLORA CAVES
Ellora is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the Aurangabad district of Maharashtra, India. It is one of the largest rock-cut monastery-temple cave complexes in the world, featuring Hindu, Buddhist and Jain monuments, and artwork, dating from the 600–1000 CE period. Wikipedia
January 8, 2018. (INDIA, Goa , Anjuna Beach, Market)
Back to Mumbai and caught a flight to Goa. Ride from airport after midnight was long, expensive and pretty sure driver was lost most of the time. I had read that Goa was THE BEACH DESTINATION. The beach was nice and so was the the hostel but seems most come here to do recreational drugs and enjoy the beach. To each their own, not my thing ..... anymore. Unfortunately I prebooked and paid for 2 weeks. But everything worked out great as I got up at 6-7 am everyday, had breakfast and walked the beach. That is also the time when most of the younger travelers were getting back from all night raves. Worked well for everyone. Lol
January 22, 2018. (INDIA, Hampi , Monkey Temple)
Hired Gopi, a tuk tuk driver, for a 4 hour tour to the Monkey Temple and surrounding areas. Lot of large boulders and the area is a favorite for rock climbing. Beautiful scenery.
January 23, 2018. (INDIA, Hampi , Vitthala Temple)
INDIA, Hampi , Royal Centre Ruins
INDIA, Mysore Palace (Mysore, India) now Mysuru
February 6, 2018. (INDIA, Houseboat Canal Trip ,Kollam to Allepey)
Took the 8 hour houseboat ferry from Kollam to Allepey through the many canals of the Kerala Backwaters.
Feb. 17, 2018
Last walk around Mirissa Beach.
February 2018. (SRI LANKA, Tangalle)
February 20, 2018. (SRI LANKA, Yala National Park, Safari)
Feb. 22, 2018. (SRI LANKA, Ella)
My early morning hike to Little Adam's Peak (2 hours) was a little more difficult than expected. Probably because I continued on to another hill that involved some climbing and path along the cliff edge.Beautiful views of valley and tea plantations as workers were picking tea.
February 26, 2018. (SRI LANKA, Sigiriya)
Arrived in Sigiriya and checked into my incredible "tree house" private accommodation.
February 28, 2018
The ancient city of Anuradhapura
The ancient city or historic area is in the northwest direction of Anuradhapura and is known by its historical meaning to the country as also to Buddhism.
To enter the old city, you can go by tuk-tuk (later on we will explain about the care you must have) and pay around 1500 rupees between 4 to 5 hours to know all the ruins.
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| ELEPHANT POND bathed up to 5000 monks |
March 1, 2018
Train to Colombo, then bus to airport for flight to MALDIVES.
March 1, 2018. (MALDIVES)
From Sri Lanka I took a short flight to the beautiful Maldives. Stayed on a fairly inexpensive Island but along with another group we took a boat to a PRIVATE ISLAND for the day at $110 including all you could drink which was great since Maldives typically does not have alcohol since it is Muslim country but private islands are exempt.
March 5, 2018. (OMAN)
After visiting the Maldives I flew to Oman for a few nights before my Mumbai to London flight.
