Suttipaaru

This weekend we went back to Mahabalipuram with the session 1 group to suttipaaru (sight see), shop, beach and pool as well as awesome food! Its about a 1.5 hour drive and we drive through Barathapuram one of the colonies to get there. I think one of the best things to do in India is to drive around.  You will see so many jaw dropping, heart stopping and beautiful things. I wish we could stop whenever i see a good picture opportunity but if i did that we would NEVER get anywhere!

My goal this time in going to Mahabalipuram was to go see the Shore Temple.   The Shore Temple was built in the 8th Century and there are supposed to be 6 other temples that once lined the shore in this area giving the area the name of Seven Pagodas.  In the 2004 Tsunami when the waters receeded people saw the sunken temples in the exposed sand.  The Tsunami removed a lot of the sand and other materials that had covered these for centuries.  The tsunami also uncovered statues and other historic artifacts that we can see today. 

When we arrived into Mahabalipuram Berlyn, Julie, Carl and I went streight to a rickshaw and after debating with the driver over where he wanted us to go and where we wanted to go we actually got dropped off at the 5 Rathas which are temples carved out of a single piece of stone.

This area is filled with talented stone craftsman. Here is one making a modern ganesh statue with a laptop.

After seeing the Five Rathas we got back in the rickshaw and went right to the Shore Temple. 

After the Shore Temple we went for lunch before hitting the beach.  On the way we ran into Anandan our driver and got a Appy Fizz and popcicles.  Lime is my fav!  Only 10 rupees.

This was the catch of the day at the restaurant we went to eat at.  Most of it was still moving.  We had the best calamari here!  I think it was the best because it didn't have a layer of curry smothering it.

After the beach we picked up the items that we had made in town and then made the drive back.  On the way out of town there is this house that is made of garbage... no it's literally MADE FROM GARBAGE.  I saw this last time but wasn't fast enough with the camera, but thus time Berlyn reminded me and I got it.

Here is a beautiful horse that was being transported... in the truck and wearing the saddle and everything.  This poor little guy, but his face was in the wind and he wasn't phased a bit.

The day was a success.  We got some shopping in (sandals and ali baba pants), got some sun at the pool, ate good food, stopped for paratha on the way home and finished the night with the kids watching a movie.  By the end of the night all the little ones are asleep.  I got to carry little Gokul back to his house.  He did wake up half way there and gave me the look of - Who is this white girl and where is she taking me.  But he went right back to sleep.