Hello from Mamallapuram

Finally made it to Mamallapuram at 4pm India time, thats 11.30am, UK time. We were absolutely shattered, last slept on the Friday night at the Airport Hotel. Didn't get a wink of sleep on the plane as usual.

Delhi airport was ok, had to transfer to the domestic terminal which wasnt the farce we originally thought it might be. Flight to Chennai was an hour late.

Got a taxi to Mamallapuram, a beach town about 60km south of Chennai. It took two hours and after terrible traffic, people selling father christmas masks, and the smell of fish, poo and burning rubbish we finally got here.

It's ok here, boiling hot, pretty touristy but only by India's standards, and not THAT cheap. Although it cost us 1 pound 50 last night for byriani, naan bread and a lemon soda each!!

Lots of cows here, and pigs, and goats and dogs!! Roaming around the street owning the place. The beach is good fun, lots of fishing boats and the standard mitherers. Today we went to the shore temple and to see the rock carvings (The 5 Rathas). We also walked through the gardens where all the other carvings and caves were. Saw some monkeys and more goats and dogs.

Leaving Mamallapuram tomorrow to go to Pondicherry, about 2 hours by bus. Guy at the Bus stand made no sense when we asked him if we needed to buy a ticket and what time it left, just wobbled his head and pointed vaguely in the direction away from where all the buses were. Sure we'll be ok though.

Hope everyone is ok at home, and enjoying the snow.

Chris and Nikki