7 Sep - 10 Sep
Chennai and Mahabalipurum
Loves - The sea, chilled out atmosphere and fresh seafood curry
Hates - That I am the only one seeing it. Can I fly some of you here?!
Wheather - 40C plus - AGAIN!

When leaving Kolkata I decided that I wanted to get the "full experience" and apart from sleeping in some random places like the side of a motorway or a rubbish heap I decided to live like an Indian. That included bargaining like an East End car salesman and eating with my right hand only- the left is considered your dirty hand. I think I did a good job, getting my room from 784 rupees down to 500 and impressing my new friend on table 65 in the local eat.

I am now in Mahabalipurum which is very small and very quiet. It's on the beach so seafood is fresh - I ate 4 of the biggest Tiger Prawns I have seen last night, and there are endless shops selling rock carved sculptures of the gods - they truly are experts here and watching them work is fascinating. The temples and shrines are all rock carved and the Mandapams (cave temples) are very cool - all cut directly into the side of a rock wall. The Butter Ball is a huge circular rock, which in my opinion must be bolted to the ground, it has definitely defied physics! - see pics.

Today (8th Sep), I got chatting to a few of the shop owners - one guy introduced me to his fisherman father who has agreed to take me out fishing with him tomorrow morning. That means a 4am start (ouch!) to go and catch my lunch! I have agreed with a different shopowner to bring my catch to his friend who will cook lunch for us all - they are definitely a lot more friendly down here compared to the North!

I'm off for some food now, so I'll catch you later!

Will