"Maha", for short, like "Baja California".

From Pondicherry, Claudia and I were planning to go to Chennai for a day or two, to see if we can do some finagling with our Bangkok tickets. Over breakfast the day we were going to leave, Claudia was flipping through the Let's Go and started reading about a town called Mahabalipuram, a couple of hours each day between Pondicherry and Chennai.

It's a seaside town, supported a little by fishing (traditional lifestyle) and mostly by tourism (modern lifestyle). There are loads of rocks, temples, and seafood. As it turned out, it was a holiday weekend anyway so we couldn't do jack about inquiring about tickets, so we caugt the first bus up.

This town rocks.

You can walk across the place in... probably 20 minutes. Maybe 30, if you grab a soda and have trouble waving off touts, of which there are many. They also cop a bit of attitude here, which is actually kinda nice for a giggle. For example, when we'd just gotten off the bus, the same guy had asked us about a rickshaw — a few times. We don't mind once or even twice, but following us to the drink stand and continuing to ask as we sip Mirindas.

"We don't want your rickshaw! Go away!" Claudia said.

"No, I don't have to go away. You will eventually leave India. You'll go away," he said, standing firmly in one place for a bit, then walking away and bothering us no more.

We wandered on, to a great hotel near the shore. 300 rupees for a large room, and decently fast internet. We've roamed rock carvings, fought off sarong sellers, shot fishermen (she's a photographer, peeps, chill), and in general have just dug roaming this very cool little town.

More later. It's dinnertime and we're hungry... to come in future posts!