Back in Blighty

Holidays don't last long enough...

We spent our last couple of days in a hotel on the Bay of Bengal. It's called Vivanta and while it looks lovely, other than a gorgeous dinner in the seaside restaurant on the Saturday night and a treat in the spa on the Sunday, I wouldn't bother going back. 

It was that bad I wrote a review on Trip Advisor. The breakfast hall gave me flashbacks to the time I was at the Singapore Night Zoo with Mum, desperately trying to protect some elderly Aussies from being stampeded by holidaying Indians.

The hotel room

A free dessert from the only nice restaurant

These were scattered all around the spa

Now its back to reality in Blighty...

H is back at work and I'm joining agencies in the bid to find some work when I head back to Oz for the few weeks before Xmas and our big day.

The invitations have finally gone out and I now just have to sort out the photographer (I'm not paying the thousands that these people seem to want) and entertainment.

More soon...

Brain Fry

Restaurant Menu

I've heard of people suffering a Brain Fry or is that Brain Freeze? However I never would have suspected people would willing subject themselves to eating it!

This was on our menu last night, but there was no way I was going to eat it.  The normal vegetarian curry was perfectly fine and we didn't wake up with a dodgy tummy thankfully.

That let me have another outing today during which I visited a new hotel in Chennai called the Grand Chola. It has only just opened and much of it is still being completed. The marble and carvings remind me of the Taj Mahal while the stair case which greets you as you walk through the front doors reminds me of the Titanic. Wandering around we found a few bars and restaurants that are opened, gate crashed a product debut up on the first floor (quickly exited) and then enjoyed a coffee and cake in the cafe.

The Grand Chola Chennai

Before we left, I couldn't resist a photo with the doorman...don't you just love his moustache!

At the Grand Chola

On the way back to the hotel we stopped at a saree shop which was one recommended by a local. This time I purchased some beautiful fabric at a decent price. Since I had someone knowledgeable on sarees with me, I ordered the top to be made and the edges to be sewn, so I get to pick it up tomorrow. What I have learnt about sarees is you can now get them made so you don't have to wrap them, just slip it on and you're ready to go!

The Saree material

Another detour before we got back was a gold shop. As you may know gold is a big status symbol over here. Three floors later and we walked out empty handed, however I was certainly impressed by the variety of gold in there.

I tried to get a few photos on the way home from the car, unfortunately I missed a perfect opportunity - a group of people standing on top of a moving bus driving down a main road. It wouldn't have wanted to suddenly stop!

Weekend tomorrow and I get to do some tourist bits with H at last. 

More soon from our break in India...

Shopping in Chennai

Tuk Tuks and motorbikes fight against the cars to surge forward through the overloaded roads. Pedestrians wait patiently for a small break in traffic and when they see it, hold their hand up and sedately walk across. 

Read the messages on this Tuk Tuk

Old men squat by the side of the road, it's that old yoga pose that I can't do again. 

Beggars tap on the car windows holding babies and pleading for food.

Street food stalls scattered along the roads are full with customers eating their finest dhal.

Police assist the traffic lights, but I never do see a green light as the traffic surges forward. The locals peer in through the car window intrigued by this white, blonde haired girl that sits in the car.

At this stage if I was new to India I would probably be freaking out, but I've been here before and while there are many things that frustrate me about India, today I sit back and just enjoy. We will get to my destination in all good time.

Where might you ask am I headed. Shopping of course.. and today I wanted to check out the silk shops. As usual, the driver had to take me past his recommended shop, I did get slightly worried when I was led down some stairs through a cellar where people were working. But not to worry...it was just a shop.

When I arrived at the real destination (which was T. Nagar for those of you interested) there was a mass of different silk shops. Groups of women were shopping together, some with henna painted hands and obviously seeking the shops finest wedding sarees. 

I have never seen such a huge range of fabrics, it is such a treasure chest. If I had an overwhelming mass of money I could buy up.  I tried a beautiful wedding saree and the shop assistant wrapped it around me. Had it not been 24,000 rupees I probably would have bought it. It did start some conversation around the shop floor... 'look at that white girl there'. I could just imagine the talk.  By the way if you convert the rupee its about 230 pounds. You certainly have to be sure it's the right one if you're going to spend that.

What was particularly annoying is that the shops wouldn't barter and kept telling me they were fixed price. Yet I'm sure I saw a man bartering... 

I didn't come back to the hotel loaded with shopping bags but it was a nice afternoon out. I will do some further investigation of what I actually should be paying for a saree!

A post from Tamil Nadu

Today I'm posting from Chennai, India the capital of the state Tamil Nadu.

  

After a ten hour flight we arrived somewhat later than expected at about 5am India time. I enjoyed the flight though, I managed to squeeze a seat next to H up in Premium Economy (thanks to the lovely flight attendant) so with a bit of extra leg room, some nice champagne I sat back and enjoyed catching up on movies.

Of course it's always nice to relax before landing in the chaos that is India. Thankfully as we landed in the wee hours of the morning, things were a little quieter. It probably helps ease your way back into it actually, with just a few tuk tuks, buses, motor bikes, random people and dogs meandering the streets at that hour.

After a late breakfast/lunch during which I stupidly had a coffee (the milk didn't agree with me), I've since had a green tea, feel better and have escaped the confines of my room to relax in the 36 degree humidity down by the pool. By the way it seems all the wifes / girlfriends etc are down here to.

There are trees - behind me!

Now I'm reflecting on the last time I was here. Unfortunately I had a bad flashback of the cockroaches that plagued me thanks to a boss that put me up in a dodgy hotel. Plus a full month working here was a little to long for my liking.

Thankfully this time I'm in a nice hotel and have H here to share it with. Well time to do some real work, wedding organising and job hunting.