We woke around seven after a poor nights sleep spent listening to the loud whirring of the fan above us... Sounded like it was actually going to take off. We headed to breakfast and I actually ate something as I knew It was a crazy day a head. We met the gang in the reception at eight and went to collect our push bikes, we were going to spend our morning cycling approximately seven km around the town exploring the various temples and statues.

We collected our bikes... Mine being a lovely shade of green with a number six on the back and Stevens being blue and number eleven. The bikes were surprisingly easy to ride and very comfortable with a springy seat. We headed off towards the beach in search of our first stop... The shore temple. The temple was originally built in the seventh century but was later rebuilt by Narasimhavarman the third and sits on the shore line. It's an impressive temple that consist of two shrines dedicated to Shiva. It is a fine example of Pallava architecture and looks stunning against the back drop of the sea. Originally it was believed that there were more temples along side this one and this was further validated in 2004 when the tsunami struck and washed away sand revealing further sister temples close by. It's a beautifully carved out piece of stone and has a large statue of shiva relaxing inside the temple. It's setting is truly beautiful and the area peaceful... by now we were already boiling hot and it was only nine am.... Nervous... Much?

We soon jumped back on to our bikes and headed further inland... We then headed to the 'Five Rathas' which is all carved from one piece of stone... Each of the Rathas represent a single god and are delightful... There's even a large perfectly sculptured elephant sitting there and it's pretty cool. While we were at the five rathas a group of indian guys wanted a picture with us and the elephant. we obliged and had numerous photos taken... i was trying so hard not to laugh as steven was talking to me under his breath saying " the guy is holding my hand Laura... he is holding my hand" hahahaha in india its common to see guys holding hands and beng affectionate. its a term of endearment and nothng untoward. however it takes a lot for the western guys to get used to haha... it was so funny! and we caught it all on camera...

We then hopped on our bikes again and headed to Arjunas penance, which is a large carving in the wall of a rock and depicts the penance of sage Bhagaritha who asked the ganges to fall to the earth to wash away the ashes of his dead relatives. It's a a funny and unpretentious carving and I loved looking at all the little stories it illustrated ...like the deers resting by the water, the cat dancing for the mice and the old frail man meditating. Along from here is the famous Krishna's butter ball which is a huge boulder that sits precariously on the slope of the hill and named as such because of his his supposed love of butter.... What followed this was a hilarious photo opportunity with us holding the boulder and running from it!!

After this we headed to see Kotikal Mandapam which is dedicated to Durga. We then rode up to the lighthouse and saw Krishnas Mandapam... The view from here was stunning and the carvings amazing... We took a few nice pictures and a few silly touristy ones... Then headed back towards the town.

The plan now was to cycle off into the country side to see some pottery being made. By now it was about eleven o clock and already thirty three degrees in the shade.... We must have looked quite a sight ...especially to the two tour buses who followed us to each site in their air conditioned bus. One tour was from our hotel and another made up of Indian trainee teachers. We headed off out of town towards the villages and it was so nice being out on the long roads where we could have a speedy cycle. We arrived at the village melting and panting in the extreme heat and revelled in the shade while we watched some pots being made from local clay... By now my interest in pottery was wavering slightly and we had run out of water. After about ten mins or so we rode on via a small shop that sold water and soda... We purchased the most amazing tasting orange soda ever!!! It was delicious. We jumped back on our bikes and headed further out into the countryside where shade was non existent and the heat was crazy! We eventually arrived at a small coconut farm and watched a farmer climb up the trees to throw down the coconuts... We then drank their sweet water and ate the flesh inside which was so refreshing. We were pretty shattered by now though and then Ravi popped up and said that the tour should have finished at the temple at eleven but as this was his local village he wanted to show us the pottery and coconuts... I thought it was a sweet gesture but knew I would appreciate it more when I was back in the hotel reflecting on the day from the coolness of the pool.

After the extra excursions Ravi invited us all half a kilometre down the road to have lunch at his house... We were honoured and touched by his kindness so on we rode... About TWO kilometres later we arrived at his house to be greeted by his pretty wife who invited us in to their home. It was such a nice gesture and after removing our shoes we all collapsed on the mats on the floor ...savouring the coolness of the house. Ravi and his wife then handed out banana leaves and dished up a delicious selection of thali on the leaves. The food was the tastiest we had tried and despite feeling like I wasn't hungry, I soon ate my far share! It was so yummy. I then ate a huge green chilli thinking it was a pepper and wow that was hot!! We washed it down with a delicious home made rice pudding and relaxed.

After lunch I was feeling quite heat stroked and was dreading the journey home... Felt a bit faint and dizzy. However Ravi reassured us it was a mere four kilometres back to the hotel and the roads were good... Haha I was thinking its one pm and blazing sunshine... What is it they say... Mad dogs and Englishman! We hopped back on the bikes and hit the road. The journey home was hot and fuzzy.... But we made it. I literally arrived at the hotel (which was deffo further than four km... ) and dumped my bike... Walked straight to my room, put my bikini on and jumped into the pool. We were wet from sweating and dizzy from the heat. After about thirty mins laying in the cool pool I felt so much better... The afternoon was then spent alternating between the pool and the sun lounger. Steven was sitting in the shade with a towel around his neck and a tee shirt on... Despite him continuously smothering me in sun cream, he had caught the sun on his neck and face... It was a nice glow but he freaked and sat in the shade doing admin and planning our japan trip.

After an afternoon of sunning we headed for showers and after sun and met back at the pool at six to go for dinner. We went with Pattie, Vanessa and Josie and headed to the shops on the main strip to look at souvenirs.... We then met Cliodna and Rhys at the beach bar and had a beer. After a beer or two we headed up the street. Ravi had suggested moonraker s for dinner so we headed in that direction, the only problem being there was two of them. One looked more authentic with fishing memorabilia on the walls and definitely the nicer of the two.. Me and Steven were keener on this one... The second though had a nice roof terrace. We were in the process of debating when the guy came out and said it didn't really matter as they were own by the same people and just aimed at different markets... The one on the right being more aimed at backpackers and a little cheaper... We headed in and found the other tour from our hotel in there so sat down. We ordered our meals... We had fish curry, prawn curry, rice and paratha s washed down with a kingfisher. The food was okay ....not the best or the worst but the beer was good. Wasn't bad for under five hundred rupees though.

We paid up and headed out into the street, it was then that we saw Larry and Henry in the moon rakers opposite so headed in.... Immediately the owner came over to us and told us we should have gone to his restaurant and that the other place wasn't good. We said whooooa we were told you were the same people... Probably not the best thing to say as all hell kicked off haha... Was so funny! The two owners came out and started scrapping in Hindi... Throwing shoes and chairs at each other and cursing in their own language. The shoe throwing being particularly insulting here. We tried to watch discreetly while trying to order beers... And poor Cliodna wanted pancakes, but they were to busy scrapping to take our order... Eventually after half the shop keepers had got involved it died down and they came in side. We asked for a beer and the guy said no! When Cliodna asked if he was mad with us he said 'yes' although he couldn't really speak English and I wasn't convinced he knew what he was agreeing too. The owner then explained it was closing time so we left and wandered back to the hotel apologising to the guys for interrupting their quiet meal lol... Back at the hotel we collected our laundry and I was like the ca hat got the cream.... I'm always so happy when the laundry comes back as I know all my clothes are fresh and clean. They washed all our clothes and underwear for a mere two hundred and fifty rupees (about three pounds)... Amazing. We then headed up to bed for another restless night listening to the fastest and noisiest fan in India.