Day 85 - Mamallapuram

Last day, I'm ashamed to say that I have been woefully bad at the sightseeing here, instead I've spent most of my time sleeping, eating and reading. I need the break - after 3 months of travelling round this huge country my body just has had enough! Today I'm going to maybe go have a look at the Shore Temple and the Five Rathas. Other than that more of the same relaxing methinks.


The tedious chore for the day is buying a new travelling bag - my current "say no to plastic" job was given to me by the Intrepid Travel guys, and after 3 months on the road is looking a little, well, disgusting. However, the shop assistants in Mamallapuram are so sickeningly obsequious that I really can't work up the will to go shopping (not to mention the fact I've got 1000R left and I'm trying to make it last for the next few days). Still, I like to think of this as the last time I'll have to haggle (yaaay).

Day 83 - Mamallapuram

Well, I'm now somewhere halfway between Pondy and Chennai. It's called Mamallapuram has a beach, lots of restaurants serving fresh fish, internet cafes and a great bookshop. Plus 3 nights accomodation costs the same as one night in the heritage hotel in Pondy. Can't be bad.

I've been here a few hours now, pottering aong and getting a feel for the place. I must admit that I feel like I'm just killing time now before flying on to my next location - Singapore - on Saturday. There are some nice shops here, but they are just selling the same stuff as the ones in Hampi, Varkala and one hundred other touristy places sell and the constant hard sell is becoming tiring. I also think I've reached saturation point for ruins and temples. This is a shame because Mamallapuram is meant to have some beautiful stone carvings and ruins that are meant to be well worth a look. Maybe I'll get an early night - lots of sleep will make me feel a bit more raring-to-go I'm sure (and there's always boost...)