Our travels end in Chennai

Dad, J and I arrived in Chennai from Delhi in the late morning. We were greeted like VIP's with flower necklaces by Mr. R, and whisked off to our house. After dropping their bags and getting the tour of the house we settled in for drinks and snacks on the outdoor balcony overlooking our yard. At 4:00 PM we walked out to the beach and were pleased to find it clean and quiet. None of the evidence of locals' morning rituals to be seen. I guess the trick is to come out in the late afternoon after the tide has swept everything away. Dad, J and I walked in to the water to get our feet wet. But the waves, as always, were crashing in to remind us that this is not a beach for swimming.

So we went back to the house and  lounged at the pool for the rest of the afternoon. Of course, our ritual is to drink champagne at the pool on visitors' first day in town, and this day was no exception. The cork flew beyond the far side of the pool into the yard. We haven't gotten one over the yard wall yet- but I'm sure that's coming. After all our running around and travel it was nice to spend the afternoon relaxing. In fact, J was asleep before 8:00 PM!

Day two in Chennai is for shopping. Mr R was feeling ill (too much sun the prior day?) so the three of us were off with Ramesh. First stop was Hot Chips, my favorite local restaurant, for South Indian breakfast of idly and dosa plus the yummy filter coffee (mostly milk and sugar!). 

We ventured back in to the 7 story department store from our early days in Chennai. The first time Mr R and I went with visitors it was so crowded we literally could not get out of the stairwell into the aisles. This time was much better and we looked at saris, blouses and shirts. Dad and J had their first taste of the Indian "personal shopper"- a young sales clerk followed/lead us around the store and helped us choose items. She tried to stay in the fitting room with J, who would have none of that.

Then off to a more sedate sari shop that also has a nice room of small gift items and some pretty women's blouses. And Fab India, which specializes in cotton clothing and home items. Dad and J purchased something at every stop. So we worked up an appetite for lunch at our requisite spot for visitors, Saravana Bavan. At one branch in town their basement level specializes in North Indian meals; Dad and J enjoyed the meal of several assorted dishes as much as I did.

One more stop at one of my favorite stores for  clothes, home linens, and gifts, then off towards home. We stopped at the produce market which we shop at to show Dad and J the different varieties of fruits and vegetables to be had here. Plus they got their first sight of cockroaches flitting about the produce (yum!). I tried to get them to drink coconut water fresh out of the coconut and was surprised that neither of them liked it. 

So back home to check in on Mr R, who was feeling better, a quick drink, dip in the pool, light snacks and another early bedtime.

Day three in Chennai was for sights near the sea. First breakfast and a foot massage at "our" hotel. What better way to start the day? Then we visited Mamalapuram, a town on the sea which has old rock carvings and temples. Mr R and I were impressed with the carving which included a cat standing in a yoga pose with mouse before him. 

After that we visited a museum which contains old houses of South Indian styles, plus some displays such as looms and handicrafts. Dad was delighted to find an autorickshaw in a quiet corner which he could pose in. The museum makes for a nice few hours and gives you a taste olf South India's past. We stopped at a hotel which is situated on the sea and poked around a bit. Then back to the house for our regular quiet end to the day.

On the final day of our visit Dad got a haircut and extended head massage, as he had heard that is a standard offering with the cut. Then J got a mehindi- pretty designs done in henna on the palms of her hands. We were going to take an autorickshaw ride but the henna on J's hands had to dry and she would have had to hang on in the autorickshaw. 

But we were hungry so we went back to Hot Chips for lunch. J charmed a table of ladies there who were admiring her mehindi. They asked how she was going to eat and we told them we would have to feed her. Which we did, much to their amusement. Again, Dad and J loved the local food.

And with that our visit was nearly complete. After packing and a nap, we were off at 11PM to drop them at the airport for their 1:45AM flight back to Detroit. We were sad to see them go, and concerned about their comfort for their 24+ hour journey home. But we had so much fun with them and were very happy to have shown them a slice of our life here in India.