Visit to Karla Caves and yet Another Terrifying Monkey Encounter

This weekend I visit the Karla Caves.  These aren't actually caves, but are instead ancient Buddhist Indian rock-cut architecture cave shrines developed over two periods - from 2nd century B.C to 2nd century C.E. and in 5th - 10th century.  


This shrine was amazing and sad at the same time.  This beautiful piece of Indian history was strewn with garbage throughout the whole trek to the site.  Beggars, small shops selling trinkets and animals lined the stairway cut into the mountain all the way to the shrine.  Additionally, I was charged 100INR while the locals are charged 5INR for entry into the shrines.  So much for equality!


Here is the shopkeeper for the small market near the base of the mountain the shrine is cut into.  

The shrine is actually 3 stories, but you can only access up to the second story.  Although there is a staircase to the third story, it is filled with thorn bushes so tourist can not enter.

 The interior of this shrine was amazing.  It is unbelievable that this was built over 2000 years ago.  The would beams on the ceiling look as if they are less than 50 years old.

 The carvings were amazing.  Very intricate, detailed and.....carved by hand!

 Unbelievably, either Vijay Gopalan has visited this site and left his mark before (I think it says Vijay + Kevin Looper) or there is more than one Vijay in India!

 A portion of the trail to the temple was rather intense, but beautiful.

 Another amazing carving in one of the monastery rooms.

This was a fairly creepy entrance to a Muslim restaurant we stopped at on our way back from the shrine.

 The locals here are mad for mutton.  I on the other hand would have preferred prime rib instead of goat, but when in Rome....

 By far this was the cleanest side of India I have ever seen!

 This little island out in the sea was inhabited by tons of ducks and geese.  These birds were not at all timid of humans and came up to the shore with all their little ducklings.

 Can you see the gecko?

 Now for my second encounter with a monkey.  The first was with Roger, Helen and Sriram while in Singapore and as many of you have seen from the photos it was quite traumatic.  This experience was no different.  These monkeys, which were unfortunately chained to a bullock's cart, were filthy, malnourished and apparently very thirsty!

 Here is my water bottle that a local was kind enough to rescue from the monkey captor; however he proceeded to put a straw into the bottle and allow the monkey to drink it all!

 This little guy was in the restroom with me.  Once spotted it literally scared the...... well you know, out of me!

 The water bottle thief was a male monkey.