So, after searching 4 websites, it became clear to me that there were no rooms in Pondy for this weekend. I just figured out it was Republic Independence weekend, which explains why there were no rooms available. Big weekend when Indians and their entire extended families head to the shore for a bit of vacay.
Bill spoke to our fabulous proprietor, Saravanan, who said he would contact the person who had yet to confirm the room to see if they were still coming, if not, then we could have that room. He would know later that day. Bill and I packed up our laundry which will be returned either that night, or the next day. Laundry is a big deal when on the road. You never know if you can find a place to do it, or drop it off, or if you are willing to bite the bullet for the exorbitant prices (pennies) that the hotel would charge to do it. We bit the bullet and were willing to pay any price!
We went off to explore the rathas. Rathas are huge granite boulders that were carved in situ to represent various important deities or to create “caves”. There is one natural site, Krishna’s Butterball.
The giant boulder is somehow remaining stationary on the slope! As you can see, many people are relaxing in the shade the boulder provides. There is a smoothed part of the hill face that people slide down. it was very funny, women in saris sliding down the rock face. Grown women, not teenagers!
There was a pebble path that lead between the various carvings. Several elephants in procession, caves dug from the solid granite with pillars created to guard depicted with horned lion demons, frolicking monkeys and all sorts of birds decorated many of the stone friezes.
Photo bombing Bill’s selfie
The midday heat was beginning to get to me. It’s strange, the temperature itself is not debilitating, but coupled with the lack of a breeze, it just gets overwhelming for me. I needed refuge! I spotted a little museum of the lighthouse and it had 2 huge AC units outside! We paid our 25 R and in we went into 2, count ‘em, 2 separate heavily AC’d buildings. pure bliss!
After we cooled off and I was sufficiently revived, we exited and went looking for lunch. I thought we could try Babu’s Cafe, as it is very highly rated and so we wandered off to find it.
As is our luck, it was just closing. We sadly walked away and looked for another place. We settled on Sea Shore Garden. A second floor establishment that served, what else, fish. The server proudly brought out the catch of the day, and asked us which of the 3 large fishes we wanted! There were 2 white snappers, and one red snapper. He also brought out a small tuna that they also had. I opted for the Tuna and Bill asked if they had any smaller snappers. He managed to find 2 lovely small snappers which Bill accepted.
The tuna a prepared grilled and was absolutely delicious. Bill’s fish was grilled and he was quite happy. We washed it all down with multiple beers and left feeling full, happy, and somewhat tipsy.
I needed a bit of a lie down, beer coupled with sun, oy, I needed a nap. We went back to the guest house and snoozed. Around 6 pm Bill woke me up to ask if I was ready for dinner.
The proprietor told Bill that the other group had confirmed that they would arrive on Friday night, but he had found us a room here in Mahabalipuram for 2 nights if we wanted to go check it our. We got onto the backs of 2 motorbikes and whizzed our way over to the Mamalla Hotel Inn. They showed us a room, clean, large bed, separate shower and bath. We agreed to a price and they only complication was that the proprietress wasn’t sure, she was pretty sure, but not 100% that they had a room for both Friday and Saturday. We took it for Friday and hoped for the best. We walked back to the Blue Moon to check out the “new” neighborhood.
After returning, Bill wanted to get something to eat, I declined and he went out to get a bite and read (provided he could find good light). Lighting here is always questionable. Yes, there are lights, but they are not strong enough to enable you to read comfortably by!
I took my luke warm shower and went to bed. Prior to Bill’s departure, we realized that if he took the key, then there would be no light in the room for me, if we left the door unlocked and “blocked” with a chair, then when he returned he would wake me up anyway, so he agreed he should just knock and possibly awaken me to get back in.
A couple of hours later I was still awake so no harm, no foul!
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