Day 3, Delhi to Aurangabad

We have been traveling for 3 days and so far have seen the inside of airplanes and hotel rooms.  Although it’s been nice having down time after arrival in India, it will be great to get out and actually see some sights tomorrow.

The featured photo above is of the largest breakfast buffet I have ever seen.  Our beautiful Pullman New Delhi Aero City hotel offered the buffet as a complimentary breakfast.  After stuffing ourselves, we were tired of sitting around our hotel room so wandered around the hotel and found a fun art exhibit and the large Chef’s garden.

One of the things that has surprised us is the level of security everywhere.  Baggage security checks at the hotel entrances, body wanding, and men with submachine guns.  On one hand we appreciate the serious security measures and on the other are taken aback by the necessity.

The Pullman hotel room was spacious and very comfortable. The bathroom could be shut off from the bedroom with sliding screens.

There was a noise on our Airbus flight with Air India to Aurangabad. It sounded like a loud barking dog.  Suzanne asked the attendant what it was and he said, “the engine”.  Wow, well that was reassuring!  Would have really preferred listening to a barking dog. We sat with a charming young Indian woman who spoke excellent English. She had lots of questions about our current political situation, traveling in the US and our trip.  I ducked on the politics and let Suzanne handle that one.  Seemed like a good time to read my book.

Aurangabad, population 1.18 million as compared to Delhi’s 25 million, was named after the last Mughal emperor Aurangzeb and is situated on the Kham River. These days it’s main claim to fame is as a base to explore the World Heritage Sites of Ellora and Ajanta.  These cave temples were chipped out of rock over 5 centuries by Buddhist, Hindu and Jain monks.  Of the two sites Ajanta is the oldest dating from the 2nd century BC to the 6th century AD.  These two magnificent sites are where we are headed tomorrow.