Day 10 - Mamallaparum

Well the child stopped crying and we all got some sleep. The carriage was quite warm so the provided sheet and blanket were sufficient for sleep. Before we knew it the time was approaching 6:45am and the train was pulling into Chennai station. With suitcases and backpacks we marched to the station entrance where our next driver was waiting to take us down to Mamallaparum, about 90 minutes south of Chennai. Chennai was very busy and very muggy. Most of the 90 minutes travel time was spent getting out of the city. Chennai is on the Bay of Bengal so, once out of the traffic congestion the driver stopped by the beach where we strolled down to the water's edge. The beach was jam-packed with long, narrow fishing boats all waiting for the next change in tide, no doubt, so they could go back out across the breakers to ply their trade. Unfortunately, the beach was just as jam-packed with litter. No pristine Australian beaches here.

Before too long we arrived in Mamallaparum, a little village (70,000) on the coast. It was really nice to be in a small town for a change. The single main street is still busy, there are still lots of people around and stray dogs roaming and cattle rummaging but it all  more peaceful, in relative terms. Upon arrival at the very nice resort-style hotel (ie: vegetation, ponds, verandahs and a swimming pool) we enjoyed a filling breakfast (it was only just past 9:00am) then checked out our digs to where our bags had been delivered.

Later in the morning we took a stroll down to the beach with most of the group. Lots of vendors of all sorts of merchandise along the way. The beach was very busy this morning. A group of some sort (perhaps a particular Hindu sect 'cos they were all dressed in red and yellow) were down there enjoying the warm breeze and dip in the Bay of Bengal. Some were taking a horse ride across the sand. The kids were loving the little breakers near the shore, like all kids do. Took a few snaps and then headed back towards the centre of the village. On our return we stopped to but an "Akubra-like" leather hat for Alan from California. He'd been eyeing off mine since day one of the tour so we got him his own for the huge cost of 130 rupees (AUD$2.60). I presented it to him that evening when the group gathered prior to dinner. He was stoked. It didn't fit very well but it's the thought that counts!

Across from the hotel was a tailor who made the ladies wear that Kerry had been looking for so we popped in to try look at some things. Kerry had a great time choosing fabrics, colours and styles. The tailor was very helpful and patient. Me, I found the "husband's chair" and offered my support and encouragement from there! I could pick up the wi-fi from our hotel across the street so that helped keep entertained also. In the end Kerry chose some garments, the tailor took her measurements and we left him to do his handiwork. Kerry went back to the hotel room for a rest and I went for a swim. The water was well chlorinated so I had no concerns diving into the lovely, cool water.

Both refreshed, we met the group in reception at 3:00pm for a tour of a nearby ancient temple precinct, literally out the back of the hotel. The temples were from the the 7th century AD, carved out of the granite rock upon which they stood. The centerpiece was a huge bass-relief carving on a single granite monolith 100m long and 20m high. Elephants, tigers, lions and gods adorned the rock-face. In places, the rock had been carved out into a cavern with more carvings in there, "supported" by tall, carved  columns. The people who created this wonder of human engineering were overthrown by an invading force at some later stage so they all fled across the sea to what is now Cambodia. Consequently, the temples at places like Angkor Wat bear a strong resemblance to these temples. One of the temples is right by the sea. When the 2004 tsunami impacted this region the receding water (which happens just before a tsunami strikes)  revealed six other temples that had been long lost to the sea.

Kerry and I went back to the tailor for a final fitting and some adjustments, picked up the finished product and then joined the group for a walk down to a roof-top seaside restaurant. The breeze was really blowing down there on that rooftop which mad for some interesting hair outcomes for the ladies. After a very nice meal, we both had calamari but done differently, we strolled back home with the young girls, stopping here and there to look at the wares of the various traders along the way.