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Published: October 2nd 2009
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Early morning bike ride tooday. Was fun being on a bicycle - had a good bell! We visited the Shore Temples and the bas-relief rock carvings known as Arjuna's Penance. We had a very enthusiastic guide which was nice but even for early morning it was just so so hot that by the end everyone was desperate to just get back and laze by the pool. Got nice pics including of the lovely beach.
It was really nice to get back and first thing was freshen up and get in the pool. Spent the rest of the day lazing in the sun and cooling off in the pool. Also took my black trousers to be hemmed and had a sleep sheet/sleeping bag made up in a nice soft silk. Sarah had a couple of pairs of trousers made up also which are very nice. Only had athe one room until 5.30pm so all took turns showering before we left. Had a longish journey - very hot - to Chennai where we had over 2 hours hanging about the station before the overnight train at 9.30pm.
Didn't feel very hungry at all so just picked up some crackers. Had a
strange experience in the station toilet also. The sign outside RS1,2,5 for urinal, WC, Shower. We tried to give the woman RS2 but she wouldn't accept it and kept making a sort of grabbing gesture with one hand and pointing round her face with the other. We ended up going to the tourist office next to the toilet and the guy said to just go in and said RS5 for WC. Didn't fancy the urinals so gave the woman RS10 for myself and Sarah and used the WC. Then when came out the tourist person was still there as was a police woman. The toilet lady gave us our money back . Strange but just took it and left. She was basically saying that we pay more as we are white. She obviously got told off and to pay us back then our guide Chandra was furious and so also went and had a go at her but she spoke a local language so he spoke to the manager. Also had a strange guy speak to us about wanting a foreign wife and then to Natalie about some sex thing - bit scary but luckily he wasn't ont he same
carriage as us!
Was so good to finally get on train but bit awkward trying to figure out who could sleep where as Chandra didn't take any control over it and it left an awkward silence, but eventually it got sorted. The beds were okay and we have a family in in with us - and a guy who got out a big chain which was a bit disconcerting - he used it to chain his briefcase to the table.
General thoughts for today
- very hot and tiring day
- was nice doing nothing in the sun
- enjoyed cycling
- stations are horrible - sleazy men and evil toilet ladies
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