Went out for an amazing dinner with Ramki to Barbeque Nation. They have little bbq’s in the middle of the table where you get cook vegetables or meat (depending on your choice) and they gave us unlimited starters of Tikka/Fried Paneer. The main course was from the unlimited buffet which was amazing. A great way to try all the different curries at once (see pict). The deserts at this place were amazing too. There was treacle pudding type dish and unlimited ice cream!!! The next day I spent organising/posting back to uk things and went for one final meal to the Dahl and Roti café near Ramki’s flat. I took the night flight to Bangkok, which was supposed to be Indian Airlines but was replaced for a lovely Thai Airlines flight. Unfortunately I was sick on ... read more

Sightseeing day. We took a bus up to the Chamundi Hills which overlooks the city. At the top there are a few monuments and temples including the monkey monument (see pic) . We had breakfast at the top in a small cafe - I had Bisibele Bath which was a curry creamed rice pudding and very yummy. We then walked down the 1000+ steps to the bottom of the hill. Almost on each step there was either some red paint or a little candle burning, showing that the steps had been blessed I suppose. Half way down our descent was a huge bull rock, see picture. After this we walked towards the Mysore palace to have a look at the inside it during the daylight. Unfortunately there was a Indian ticket price and a tourist ticket ... read more

We woke at 5am, the earliest so far. We had to get to Ramki's new flat to set up before the Hindu priests arrived. I dressed in my Sari and put some lovely jasmine in my hair. Ramki wore a special sheet outfit. The 4 priests arrived late but went straight to work setting up all the offerings and flowers in the middle of the room, think the picture is better than my description. They chanted, sang and prayed for about 1 hour. A relative of Ramki told me they were praying to the 9 different planets. Then the priests built a fire in the middle of the front room!! They obviously don't have fire alarms or health and safely in these flats. They continued chanting and praying for another hour. The smoke from the fire, ... read more

We left for Pondicherry at about 9ish and arrived about 12 ish. It is an old French city and has French street names and French food influences. We stayed in a beautiful Ashram (calm hotel with a 1030 curfew and yoga gardens) with views of the beach. We went for a mini thaili lunch which was good at the Coromandale. I then tried an ice cream which I thought wont effect me as I'm already ill. I really needed it as it was 37c !! We walked to the monument on the beach and then to the park. We then went for a juice in a roof top restaurant where we almost fell asleep. Pondicherry really isn't like anywhere in India I have visited. The outer section of the city is typically Indian but the older ... read more

So I'm not really sure how many days or nights I stayed in Chennai as my 'delhi belly' came back with a-vengence. I first stayed in the Salvation Army hostel but had to leave as my room was reserved....I then slept in the reception at the hostel as I was too ill to move. I managed to get a room at the YWCA, thankfully as every other hotel I phoned was fully booked. I then slept for quite some time more. Eventually I was kindof well enough to go sightseeing on the Friday, I went to the Fort, which was a disappointment as it was being used my government and couldn't really go in it. In the afternoon I met Ramki (who was in Chennai for weekend) for a drink. We went and looked at the ... read more