Friday July 18th, Today was one of those days with too much driving, but we had to go from Kumily to Maduria, no small feat. On the way we stopped at mango, peanut and grape farms that was interesting, but I have mixed feelings about being led out onto these farms to talk to people who live on so little. We walk out there as affluent Americans, ...

2 dagen hebben we doorgebracht in deze drukke Tamil stad. Een volledig andere omgeving dan Kodaikanal, maar zeker ook impressionant. De bekendste tempel (of eerder tempelcomplex) van India, een meesterwerk van de Dravidische kunst, de Sri Meenakshi Temple, bevindt zich namelijk in Madurai. Het is eigenlijk een stad binnen een stad. De tempel is ...

We were on the train aaaaallll day today - overnight trains work because you can sleep but this was not much fun...... I read most of my book though so it is almost time for a new one...... we are in Maduri which is inland and quite a long way south - not seen much yet but we are seeing temples tomorrow, some of the most important in south india...

Madurai, Mahabalipuram & Kanchipuram in the state of Tamil Nadu.

Leaving Ramnad was difficult. With teary eyes, we wave goodbye to good friends that feel as though they are family. Hema put it well: "Although we only spent 4 days with you, it feels like we have known you for 4 years". Our driver takes us the 2 hours back to Madurai. King is gracious to take another day leave and come with us. We spend Thursda...

Into the very Indian city of Madurai. Straight into a (minority) Muslim political rally and minor random demolition works opposite the hotel. Off to the famous Shri Meenakshi Temple (think Hairy Bikers again) - a mix of bazzaars and the bizarre. The fertility tree, the copper 'power' through your bare feet, more bazaar stalls than you can count ...

The next day, we got breakfast. Restaurants in the last three places we've been have all had very small selections, no menu - you just have to know that in the morning they serve dosa a rice flour crepe-like thing, maybe parotta (an eggy bread) and chai. They stop serving at 11. Then they serve "meals" - thalli, rice, and some little side additi...

Thur 2/1/03 Arrived in Chennai a little late but not too bad - about 20 mins. Most of the delay seemed to occur in the last few km as we went through the suburbs although at some times during the journey we had been over 40 mins behind time. Central Station seemed a bit less bustling than most Indian city stations, the fact that suburban trains ...