Mahabliparum, India

We have had a lovely time in Mahabliparum, it is a kinda beach resort area, but still very very raw! Cows are everywhere just like as if there would be kangaroos bouncing around our streets at home! No one owns them, no one feeds them, no one milks them, they poo everywhere! I can't help but look and stare at the dumb cows in the way everywhere. They are just a part of the streetscape! Same in Chennai, cows in a huge city like Sydney! On the traffic islands even!

And Chennai, wow, sooo busy, and hot! We visited Mikey's Aunty, Phyllis Aunty. She is gorgeous, lives in a tiny room in an elderly home, only enough room for a single bed, cupboard, 2 plastic chairs and a bedside table. Painted concrete floor and padlock front door! She still jokes around, she is a character. She spoke of some interesting stories and blessed us. We bought her Cadburys chocolate, her favourite! Charlotte Aunty was also there to visit and see us. She is quieter, but still just as sweet. She is Hindu and had on the most gorgeous Sari.

We then had a late lunch at cousin Johnny's house on the outskirts of Chennai and met his gorgeous wife and 2 girls. We could have stayed there longer they were absolutely beautiful people.

The surf at Shore Temple at Mahabs was fantastic and Mikey and Brendan had a great time surfing every morning. Only a couple of young Indians surf and one morning one Aussie guy went out and a French guy too. There are a handful of foreigners around Mahabs, but the local women stare at me alot, I think it is the blonde hair. Johnny's wife said they only see blonde hair on dolls!

Yes the Jetlag has been a bit of a killer and I am still waking up about 4am which is 8.30am in Australia.

The shopping in Mahabs is good, alot of basic clothes you see in the shop in Australia "Tree of Life". Also jewellery, bags, etc. - a bit like Bali but very raw.

Some photos...