Travels of my eBid Cap

[suesjools]

Wow, just gorgeous! I'm still blown away by the artistry of the Indian architects and sculptors, amazing! Love the elephants and camels, too. Wish your bro and sis in law could tour indefinitely so we could keep enjoying the pix. Thanks again for sharing them.

Best wishes for many sales to all,

[Oldandintheway]

Tiruchirappalli, India (Trichy for short):


Well Bro & Sil have made the 3 hour rail journey to Trichy & now ensconced in the Hotel Femina in the centre of town. A new wallet is on the agenda for Sil, after nearly losing hers down a squat toilet at the train station. (some fishing was required)
"The young chap behind the counter told me happily that the temperature here is usually 100 degrees (Fahrenheit) so a bit under 38 degrees Celsius - nice one." (Bro quote)

#1 Hotel foyer.
#2 Our room (good air-con)
#3 On the 3rd floor balcony.
#4 Local street scene.
#5 Anyone for wine making???
#6 Diesel fuel RE (only the 2nd Bro has seen)
#7 First stop - Lourdes Church (Gothic at its best)
#8 Caption said,"is it me or is it leaning to the right? RUN for your lives"











Next stop - Rock Fort Temple

[Oldandintheway]

Rock Fort Temple at Trichy India:

On through the streets lined with shops to the gateway of the Rock Fort Temple. There are two main temples perched on top of this 83 metre high rock - the Sri Thayumanaswamy Temple (halfway up) and the Vinayaka Temple at the top, dedicated to our favourite, Ganesh.

The Lonely Planet says there are 437 steps to the top and we're not going to argue with that - bits of me sweated that I'm pretty sure have never done so before!

There are good views over Trichy from the temple at the summit, including of the Cauvery River which is largely sand at present but must be a sight if & when it ever fills with water.

#1 The rock Fort.
#2 Starting to climb.
#3 Onward & upwards.
#4 Stairway to Heaven (well it would be if I tried to climb it)
#5 No problems for an old mountain goat!
#6 View across town & back towards the Church.
#7 One of the carved Temples.
#8 Inside showing carved stone pillars.
#9 The object of the climb - Alter for Ganesh.











Hopefully the walk back down the 437 carved stone steps in 38c heat was a bit easier.

[florida33549]

Wow! I would never make up those stairs.

[suesjools]

Me either. I wonder if they have rickshaws available for sluggards?

Love the photos and the captions, you are too clever!

Best wishes for many sales to all,

[Oldandintheway]

I would personally have to have helipad access & then be brought down by paramedic ambulance

[florida33549]

I would personally have to have helipad access & then be brought down by paramedic ambulance

All I can say is Bro and Sil must be in great shape!

[Oldandintheway]

The reason things are quiet: (Bro quote from their blog
P.S. It must be H.O.T. for Sil to risk drinking water instead of Pina Colada's



Just a quick note:
Ongoing Internet access issues means no photo's can be uploaded from here (our Hotel) at present. I've had a look at local Net Cafe's and they are very grim set-ups indeed.
This means we may not be able to let you see any photos until we get back to Chennai late on Sunday the 11th.
We booked the train yesterday, although we have again used the "Waiting List" system - this time on an "Emergency Quota" rather than a "Foreign Quota".
No idea what Emergency Quota means but if it gets us on the train we want then we'll use it.
Getting the yet to be fully confirmed ticket (which we have paid for) involved having to go deep into the recesses of an Indian Railways Admin Office - after first being allowed into the grounds by a Guard (with an Enfield) - and seeing a Senior Administrator who was most helpful indeed.
We have to wait until after 5pm on Saturday arvo to check if the ticket has been validated. Seems a weird system but we know it works.
Today we will visit the Tomb of a Muslim Saint (can't recall the name but probably had Muhammad in it somewhere). One trip a day is enough for us due to the heat.
Cheers,

We await further developments-:

[suesjools]

Hope they manage to stay at least somewhat cool. Looking forward to the next installment.

Best wishes for many sales to all,

[Oldandintheway]

G'day folks - well we're back on the air, & although Bro & Sil have now made it back to Chennai, these are the Tiruchchirappalli (Trichy) pix.
Keep in mind that for the whole duration here, it was 37c (100F) plus, and high humidity!

First up - we have photos of wedding preparations right across the street from their hotel.
Bro says that it is very auspicious to have your own Elephant involved in the ceremony, & that Indian people certainly know how to throw a party, which included lots of loud banging of drums plus blaring trumpets, AND many dangerous fireworks. Sounds like my idea of a good time!

#1 Hotel Femina entrance.
#2 The naked truth.
#3 Pedestrians take it in their stride.
#4 As does the traffic.
#5 Patiently waiting for "dress-ups"
#6 Attendants bring garments & Mahout ready to assist.
#7 Nearly set.
#8 And so - off to the nuptials!