21 February - Ajanta to Ellora - 106 km, almost all on roads under construction meaning combinations of absolutely terrible surfaces, sometimes loose gravel the size of railway ballast and very rough paved surfaces with precious little 'normal, smooth' surface. It also meant very narrow roads in places with barely room for opposite direction traffic to pass. It was hard work, and dirty with all the dust. Add to that afternoon heat in the forties. Tough for everybody as it has only got that hot in the last few days. Ursula in particular felt it in the last few miles, but hung in and we finished the day. We were drained. Hope the roads get better; we can't expect it to get cooler.
So some en route photos...
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| colourful temple |
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| that stuff we're on is better than the road. bonus is that we don't have to share the road with trucks |
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| road-side cricket match |
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| the only escape route is into the gravel pile |
Miracle... the evening we're sure will be the most memorable of the entire trip...
One of the TDA support staff, Nirmika's, home is here. Her parents have a beautiful property maybe 20 km out of town with hotel/camping/restaurant and she arranged with them for an Indian barbecue there. Not only was the setting beautiful - 800 year-old walls and other ruins, a 800-year-old dam that's still functional behind which is a significant lake (more significant in monsoon season. The food was unbelievably good
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| Nirmika, BBQ behind |
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| Nirmika with father, mother, and brother |
And we chose tonight, at risk of being two days late, to celebrate twenty-five years since the day we met at my brother's and on the Georgian Peaks ski hills at Collingwood.
It was a wonderful evening in every respect, one we won't forget.
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