South India tour December 2007

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Just back from incredible 3-week trip to Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Itinerary was Chennai - Mahabalimuram - Kanchipuram - Tiruvanamallai - Chindabaram - Pondicherry - Chettinadu - Trichy - Rameswaram - Madurai - Periyar - Allepey - Kochi. The highlights for me were definitely in Tamil Nadu rather than Kerala, which I found very pretty but too touristy (especially the houseboat experience which I didn't appreciate much at all). Best towns visited were Tiruvanamallai (wow) and Trichy. Madurai was a bit of a disappointment though I know many people are crazy about it. In all this was one of the best trips I've ever had (and I have had many).

I did the trip by car with driver - for me this was ideal. I went through Mokshatours who I thoroughly recommend. Paid about £20 a day all in. My driver, Suryapradeep, was amazing - took me to places not on the itinerary because he knew there'd be photo ops for me, found hotels within my price range etc. He even invited me to a wedding in Madurai! The company boss phoned me every three days to check everything was OK...amazing service, really.

Will try and get some photos uploaded soon.

Martyn

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