At Temple, a Palace and the Police
We set off early in search of breakfast but found a few distractions along the way. First was a man chalking a huge image of a God onto the pavement. We stopped to look and were told this was a template for a bamboo construction of the God, which will be used for a festival in April. We were shown a video of what it would be like and the whole construction will be covered in colourful lights.
Next we came across 4 young boys who were re-enacting one of the Hindu festivals. They had made drums out of cardboard boxes and spears out of bamboo and polystyrene. They were very happy to pose for a photo.
We continued our walk and eventually settled on idlys for breakfast before heading to the Meenakshi Amman Temple. We removed out shoes and handed them over and were pointed in the direction of the entrance. Along the way we saw lots of cameras and were told the former minister of Tamil Nadu was coming to give a speech. We continued towards the entrance, however someone told us we were going the wrong way so we headed back, only to be told by someone else we should be going the other way! Eventually we found someone who seemed know, who told us to collect our shoes and put th. Back in as it was a little way and then remove them again! Whilst all this was taking place we were also approached by various tailors whin had shops nearby and invited to come and have a look after we had visited the temple.
Shoes successfully handed over (again) and also mobile phones as these are not allowed in the temple. We were a little worried about handing these over but felt better once our photo had been taken, a receipt with the photo printed and a copy put with the phone and a copy given to us. We were not quite sure of the logical behind asking us for the phone number as they would have the phone...
We walked a little way and were eventually inside the temple. It is a very beautiful and colourful temple and also very busy. We wandered the various areas admiring the magnificent carvings. A lady gave us flowers, some to put in Christine's hair and some to give as an offering, with the proviso of 'no money'. It then transpired this lovely lady made elephant bags, in case we wanted to buy one.
After the temple we stopped for a loo break. Whilst queuing, Darryl got talking to a chap who was part of a team of people who were cycling from Kashmir in the north of India down to Kanyakumari, the southern most tip. Once everyone was assembled we were all introduced. The team were policemen, an engineer and a cycle expert. As the conversation evolved we also found out one was a lawn tennis gold medalist and one a cycling gold medalist. After chatting for a while outside the loos we decided we would all go and get a drink. We found a nice little café and tried a new drink of sulimani tea - a mix. Of Masala spices and lemon... It rounded is a little of mulled wine. After chatting for some time and exchanging numbers with invites to visit them in Mumbai on our next trip, we said our goodbyes.
Next stop was the Palace. We got slightly distracted enroute... We visited a gold shop who stretched gold. We also played badminton on the way with the local kids. When we arrived at the palace, our new cycling police friends were there too.
It was a beautiful building and parts were still being renovated. We sat for a while soaking up the atmosphere and hiding from the sun.
On our way home we stopped for a meal in what appeared to be the dirtiest spot so far! The meal was great and the owner didn't even want to keep the change. Unusual! We think he was just pleased to have 2 foreigners eating at his restaurant.
At our homestay we once again looked at some incredible photos and watched a great video about people and places called Baraka on the projector.
For dinner we ate egg
paratha which was yummy!
After a little messaging session, we retired to bed.
