I am now in a town called Tiruchirappalli, or Trichy as the locals and myself call it (it is a lot easier to pronounce!). It is another temple city, with one temple set upon a huge rock in the centre of town.
From here I go to Madurai and continue to the west coast, then I want to head north which I hear is totally different in culture, religion, language, weather and landscape.
Except for the first couple of days when there was some heavy rain, it has been hot and humid. I am getting a great suntan! The food has been sensational too. I have been eating out in restaurants three times a day, which costs only about $1 per meal. After being a poor uni student for so many years, this is a luxury I am not used to. Fortunately, I have not been sick at all, with only a slight case of gastro the last day or so if you would like to know.
I have been staying in very basic accommodation, in single rooms rather than dorms as it is safer and more private, and only slightly more expensive. The rooms are very sparsely decked out – only a bed, fan and light. Sometimes they have a toilet and shower attached. The Lonely Planet guide has been a great resource for finding places to stay and for tourist information that is impossible to find locally.
Other highlights of the trip so far have been getting blessed with a tap on top of my head by an elephant (I hope the photo works out), bucket showers in the open with views of coconut trees in the distance, having a shave and haircut at the barbershop, including a face and neck massage and neck re-alignment for just over $1. I have also mastered the Indian toilet technique of using a bucket of water and my left hand. You are not getting any more details about that!
Until next time,
Rob
Exploring Trichy offers a rich blend of history and tradition. Every corner tells a unique story worth discovering.