Ajanta - a different view This was the fourth time that we were visiting Ajanta. We had seen the cave paintings first time about 36 years back, when they were in a much better state of preservation. Over the past 36 years they have deteriorated despite the efforts to conserve them and so every visit to Ajanta makes us more pensive. However, Ajanta and Ellora still work their charm on us because of their unique geological formations. We still experience the thrill that Captain John Smith must have felt when he discovered those caves hidden under thick foliage back in 1819, when he was hunting a tiger along with his brother officers. It was one lucky tiger. I am sure Captain John Smith and his brother officers did not pursue and kill it as their attention ... read more

Turkey (Istanbul Day-2 and Day-3) The rest of Istanbul we saw after coming back from the tour i.e. after a week and by then the weather had changed and had become very pleasant. The biting cold had vanished. ‘Full-day Istanbul Tour’ is very tiring, because you have to walk a lot. The Hippodrome is interesting. It immediately brings to mind the thrilling chariot-race of ‘Ben Hur’. http://www.istanbulinfolink.com/the_city/monuments/hippodrome.htm Please refer to the link above for more info. about the Hippodrome. We saw the Obelisk in the Hippodrome and I said to Avi, “Cleopatra must have been a wonderful seamstress. See how many needles she had.” He immediately understood the reference. After all, we have seen those Egyptian obelisks in London, Rome, Paris, New York as well as Egypt. However, now I have discovered on Internet that there ... read more

Turkey (Pamukkale, Hierapolis and Ephesus) Pamukkale has to be seen to be believed. It just cannot be described in words and even photos cannot do full justice to its beauty and grandeur. Pamukkale is unique. We had seen such terraces at Waiotapu (New Zealand) before but though they are grand and colorful in their own right, nothing compares with the calcium terraces (They are called ‘travertine’s) with their beautiful turquoise-blue pools, shaped like lotus leaves, at Pamukkale. {I had always associated the word ‘Turquoise’ with the word ‘Turkish’ in my mind and thought that maybe the gemstone is found in Turkey. I was pleased with my own perspicacity when I found the following info. on the Internet. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turquoise Ain’t I great?} Pamukkale terraces are calcium and hence pure white. The sulfur terraces are colorful. This natural ... read more

Turkey (Istanbul Day -1) We were staying in the ‘downtown’, a highly touristy area and so, on the same day that we landed, we went to the Galata bridge by tram from Sultanahmet, to take a ferry boat on the Bosphorus because the ferryboat is a much cheaper, but equally enjoyable alternative to a private cruise. I had planned the cruise carefully. The guidebook had advised to take Turyol boat and so we searched for Turyol docks near the Galata bridge. However ‘left side of the bridge’ is confusing terminology. I mean, ‘left’ when you are standing on the bridge facing upstream or ‘left’ when you are facing downstream or ‘left’ as you face the bridge? As we were searching, a tout pounced on us and offered to take us on the ‘Bosphorus cruise’ for 30 ... read more

Koprivstitsa Avi had mentioned to Evan that I wanted to see the places around Sofia and he suggested that I visit Koprivstitsa. He also offered that he will come at 7:00 AM to our hotel and take me to the central bus station to put me on the bus to Koprivstista. He would also arrange for a lady to escort me about the place. I too wanted to visit Koprivstitsa since I had read about it being a ‘town-museum’ and it’s Rose Festival. Evan was waiting for us when we finished our breakfast at 7:00 AM. I was surprised because according to the guidebook, Bulgarians are not very punctual, but Evan was very punctual as well as the lady escort he had provided, who actually turned out to be his own cousin. So, you cannot believe ... read more