Blogs

Let's just say I killed time, gosh really spent to much time in Chennai. Last highlight was getting a whicked deal on last tuk tuk ride to the airport. Pulled a fast one on the driver getting the per km charge and batering with that as my playing card.

Did a temple, first one I've seen with loads of weddings on the go.. One of the many pocessions in the two or three day list of activities. Anyone getting married in India? Invite me! Something I think would be grand to see from end to end. The desporatetimes measure of a museam all called my name.. Blue whale skeleton was only thing worth seeing.

Seems I missconstrued Chennai, I was sure there was loads todo in this place. I so, remembered reading that and going  dam that suites me down to a T. Realised my mistake going through the Chennai section again while on the train. Bloody brain fart!

Spent most of the first day in the back of a helicopter (another name for tuk tuk). Running between shops not finding what I was after.

Woke up at sparrows fart to meet a tour guide at the temples. But think he was having wet dream coz he never pitched. Not many people were about, so headed back for some more beauty sleep. 

After which I tottered off into the local markets. So many people so poor but never down allways smiling and laughing. Strange how the mix of poor and rich happens so effortlessly. Such stark differences in your face it's hard not to be shocked.

Sheez been looking forward to Maduari since a saw a clip of the temples in a BBC documentary on india. I had read some where that the temples were covered in scaffolding and one could not see anything. Thank heavens that was not the case. They just finished repainting them, they do it every 15 years.

The vibe was not as manic and crowded as Varanasie but still had that mistical aw about it. Everyone trying to sell you opium and hash, happens every where. But as the holy spots is every second person, think it's due to all the Bramen and Sadus about.

Landed at the train station after pretty quick trip.. Was not a long hall for a change only we hundered km. Found accomidation not to far from the tracks and hits the streets for the reptile house. 

The reptile house is a seporate building to the zoo, don't like them zoo's much. So was a good deal I get to see 'em slithering critters I like and skip the dodgy zoo. But apone arival the reptile house was closed. Bugger, was leaving the next day so a little awkward to get back as it was a bit far.

Faffed as one can do the rest of the day. Oh did visit this kewl building for lunch. It has a spiral walk way in the center and seating tables were just off the to right. Felt like a ant in a ant hill... Kinda enjoyed that.

Next day visited the palace musem, yes I don't do musems. Was kewl though seeing the life size sculptaures of the warriors and gods. Kinda like the army statues in china.

Then missioned to Madarai.  

A bottle of Chateau Libertas and a empty bathtub held my morrels and ambitions just fine. Now I can't seem to find a pair of clean sox.

Substitues only server to prositute the mind. Regergitated smells still tickel my fancy. But now I set off to hate and fear them. Such a slippery slope of shit, you never seem to clear that ridge.

Sjoe fart arsed around in the morning till 11. Praying my cloaths would dry, some did not make the cut, shit! Been kinda good for a change to be back on the tourist route, need to mix it up ja. Tuk tuk scooted me off towards the docks, then swoped for a scooter. Yip that big backpack on my back the smaller heavy'er one at the drivers feet as well at a six pack of kingfisher corts. A small Indian family by my calculation weaving our way to the docks.

Hopped off and escorted to my boat. Jeez three people on the boat to jump and perform circus tricks when ever I snaped my fingers. Forraging for some ciggies at the local markets.. The captain was even helping, (snap snap) ha ha. Before I had my ars on the chair we were off. Man so great a converted rice boat, had a hand woven reed bee hive sorta shape. Even a upper level, aircon, tv (not that used it).. All to my self. Just me, my performing circus and the river.

Bangalore to Alleppey cought a Volvo buss, yes not a rustbucket mini bus. The touts will be rolling in their graves or river beds. Some fella really took a fancy to me on da bus, a teacher on one of the islands here in South Kerela. Had some tea with him and his family at one of the road side bus stops. He spoke pretty broken English, but did so with such intent the spit was drewling out his mouth. His kids were engeineers, freaked me out how young they were (god I noticed my age).

After that harrowing jeep, bus and trains trip from Nepal to Bangalore. Had a really quite first day, managed to get a nice and cheap hotel. Every other place was at least double what I was paying, took a bit of shopping but was chuffed.

First thing I tried was to sell all that hiking gear had lugged from Kathmandu. So thought best thing todo was befriend a tuk tuk driver, as they should know somewhere I could sell this lot.

Crossing the boarder into India was not to bad, got through imigration pretty fast. Got a jeep for 100 rupies to Gorakpur. Did not have to much luck at first getting a hotel. As did not get handed or fill out the swine flue form in all that madness. Yes filling out a form deams you safe! Morons no wonder every on is runing around with those bloody masks. 

So got chased out of first two cheap options close to the station. Ended up going to the more expensive hotel they did not ask for the form, shoo! Well few white lies my side to avoid the question ;) bargened the price down from 1500 to 1000 - tax. Was a bit famcey esp for stop over but hay.