Triple Plank

Yesterday, we went back to Mamallapuram.  It had been a few weeks since I’d been there and I was so excited to go back.  It definitely didn’t disappoint.

When we got there, Callie, Carl, Julie, and I decided that we didn’t really want to shop, so we took a rickshaw out to a few cool places. We had to buy a ticket to go look at the sites.  As you can see, they really like to overcharge Americans and Europeans.

 One was called the monolith.  It is one of the oldest historical sites in India and in the world.  It is basically a bunch of little temples and statues.  However, the cool part is that the temples are carved out of a single rock.  They didn’t build a temple with stones, they found a giant boulder and carved these incredible, intricate temples out of them.  It was amazing.

One rock.  Incredible.

Callie, Carl, and Julie by one of the temples. 

We all rode the bull.

We think we’re cool.

I loved this huge elephant statue.

Afterwards, we took a rickshaw to the Shore temple.

 I love looking out at the street on drives here.

That’s a monkey. Dressed up.

These are all over here in India.  They are like stuffed scarecrows tied to buildings and construction sites.  Apparently the purpose of them is to ward off evil spirits.

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The Shore temple was super fascinating to me.  It is this beautiful, extremely ancient temple that was underwater 10 years ago. 

When the giant tsunami hit Thailand several years ago, it also hit India.  We have seen so many places here that still bear the marks of the devastation that the tsunami created.  This temple was uncovered as the tide receded right before the tsunami.  The tide had never been out that far before, and as it receded, people saw this temple on the shore.  I don’t know all the details, but after the tsunami hit, they were somehow able to go uncover this temple.  The engraving and details of the Shore temple are so fascinating.

There was a bit more bull riding by Carl.

We also had an incredibly epic moment of triple planking.  Props to Callie, Julie, and Carl for holding the plank position as I took a picture with five different cameras.

I felt like Indiana Jones exploring this temple.  It had really narrow passages inside and the entire thing was intricately carved.

We found a room with a bunch of bats inside.  That’s why they’re nervously looking up.

After the temple, we ate lunch at a restaurant and headed straight for the beach and pool, where we spent the rest of the day.

The catch of the day at the restaurant.  Yep, a shark on a plate.

 Shots from the beach, although we really just spent the whole time in the pool.

As always, it was a wonderful weekend.  I just love India and the people I’m here with. 

Thank you all for your love and support.  I really am going to try to be more consistent with blogging here.  I love you all!