unexpected events of our trip
Nandini, after our morning walk, suggested we go sightseeing and eat lunch at a different place. She researched and chose Bangala resort which is rated high and is popular!
When we reached the resort, the staff at the reception said we need to book ahead! Nandini requested him to check if we three could be accommodated! He went in, a little hesitantly and returned after a while. He said we could get a thali meal, not the full meal served on banana leaf. We accepted gladly, and we were seated a little away from where people were already busy eating! The service was polite and gracious! The food was nice and tasty! Less expensive than she thought. We walked out thanking the manager! He just waved, perhaps late comers was a routine for him!
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| Do notice the village woman carrying cow dung! |
Can't read the small print, written for an Angreji news paper, by a farang! (In Thai, a foreigner!). A typical nose up in the air attitude! Having seen their castles, built using the wealth they plundered, I daresay the chettiars had worked hard to afford the mansions they built!
They live in 75 villages, and are in a minority in each of the villages. I guess they are trying to find solutions to their problems which were and are obviously serious.
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| A fascinating picture! |
We had made a quick stop at the Athangudi Tile factory before that! The demonstration by the two skilled tile makers was impressive, the tiles looked the same, though hand made. We were not shown the processing of the tiles after they were molded! I guess the process is mostly basic!
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| On our way to Madurai |
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| Impressive view of the schools open yard! |
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| Tara, Aruna and Nandini |
Meenakshi ammal temple visit:
We had seen this temple perhaps 45 years ago! I remember walking around totally flabbergasted by the grandeur of the temple! We had a few hours to spend before going to the airport for our flight home. Aruna thought we could just make a quick visit to the temple. I wasn't too sure, imagining the long queues.
Thanks to the teacher power we did have a quick darshan. They spoke to one of their ex-students, her brother was the head priest! We were briefed well on where to wait, meet and follow the priest, who would take us in. We had a wonderful experience and were comfortably on time at the Madurai airport. No picture though of the interiors, except a few we managed walking around the exteriors !
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| A thoroughly researched set of No's! |
This report is for Rohini who thinks I like to talk of food, especially when traveling!
We had dinner in Thanjavur after our visit to the temple. Guided to the place by our driver. It was interesting. Food was cooked in an open area, just the roof was covered like an extension of a factory shed. Cooking was done using wood fire! I saw the kitchen while I washed my hands! Looked open and clean! It was good food and we ate well as we were hungry! I still maintain that the rasam, made by Chandramouli's grandmother in this style is still the best!
The breakfast the next morning at the home-stay was nice. The lunch at Chidambara Vilas was good! Many varieties though! We had light a la carte dinner and in good style! The breakfast was also right, but our mind was already on our next part of the journey! (I am allergic to French words adapted to English as it is pronounced as in French and I get corrected all the time!)
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