Today is the first anniversary of 26th Dec Tsunami. A very deep sympathy to all affected...On the bright side....we went out of Chennai yesterday! Yippee!

Yesterday, we finally have our first out-of-the-city "tour". Exactly at 7.00am our driver was waiting while most of us had yet to get ready. Of course, we had to wait for Shannon and partner to bring us around too. They were our guide for the day.

After they arrived and greeted Merry Christmas to everyone, we hopped onto our rented Toyota Qualis while Aaron and Yh joined Shannon party on their Ford Endeavour. I was very excited and really want to see the caves of Mahabalipuram. Stood for almost hundreds of years, it never fails to bring hordes of tourist from all over the world.

Along the journey, we see the other part of the world that we had never seen before. The desiccated life that we had endured for the last two months vanished at that instant. It was quite far and it seemed impossible on foot. The journey itself take almost to one and half an hour, just by vehicle alone. We were lucky enough that our company agreed to sponsor a vehicle for us to travel around.

As we drove the long stretch of East Coast Road, we stopped by a small park. It was probably maintained by Britannia biscuit company as the prominent sign board with its insignia, greeted us there. Shannon brought some lemon sponge cake with icing sugar on it. It was marvellous. As we enjoyed our breakfast, we gazed out and beyond the horizon of Bay of Bengal. Yes, the park itself situated at the edge of Bay of Bengal with its angry waves lapping on the shoreline.

I managed to take some photos of our breakfast, overlooking the Bay of Bengal. After that, we continued our journey to Mabalipuram which situated at the end of the road. Before that, we stopped by at Temple Bay resort to have our quick lunch but it seems it wasn't ready yet. We took the opportunity to explore the 5-star (rated by me) resort. The resort itself situated side by side Bay of Bengal and once became the victim of the last year's Tsunami. It quickly sprang back to business and tried its charm again on prospective guest.

Without further ado and since we were not that really hungry, we procceed to the caves. After paying some tolls and entry fees, we were greeted by lines of street peddlers offering locally made goods. Of course, we weren't really that interested. In fact, I practically ignored them all. The place has loads of stone carving shops of which most made out of granite. Intricate designs were made in all shapes and sizes. A very dexterous and skillful man needed for this top job.

Upong reaching there, we were thinking of see the Shore Temple itself. It was located at the beach but there is an entry fee which is very absurd. For local citizens, Rs10. For tourist, Rs250 or USD $5. Now who is being more racist. It was a very big turn off for tourist especially me. This is not the way they should operate. It has no sense of respect to guest visiting their place. In the end, we turned our back and proceed uphill to the temple caves. Although, not that attractive, it was free.

The stone carvings itself was still intact. A numerous caves with different carvings, depicted the early lifes of Mahabalipuram. I took some shots of the place too. Surprisingly as we toured around the park, we saw some wild monkeys and I have no intention of whatsoever to go near them. Although look quite safe, I never take any chances. I took some of their shots though. We also climbed on to the highest temple there. At the very top, we could see clearly the blue Bay of Bengal and the whole surrounding of Mahabalipuram. It was truly a sight to behold.

After admiring the whole place, we proceed for a short coconut break to quench our thirst. For Rs10, it was really cheap compared to our local coconut back home. Before heading back, we went for lunch while waiting for the heat to ease off. Lunch at Moonrakers was indeed a heaven.

We ordered calamari, tiger prawns and 1kg of lobsters.First of all, the calamari were for starters.Nothing really special about it. It was only garnished with onions and lime. One of the modest starters I would say. Next was the bright red tiger prawns. Cooked in butter lemon flavour, it was clearly one of the best dishes around. Just by the look on their faces, the feeling was euphoric. Next was our perfectly grilled lobster, albeit dry. In the end, the satisfaction was beyond recognition. It was one of the great lunches we had since we arrived here.

After a hearty lunch, we travelled back to see one of the shopping malls.In fact, it was the only shopping mall on the stretch of the road. Mayajaal was nothing more but sore thumb on a barren land. Strangely, we need to pay for entry fee. I was like "What?!". Feeling a little rage, we just proceeded to Cafe Day to enjoy a smooth latte. The place was equivalent to our local Starbucks and Coffee Bean except that they only sold Christmas promotion items only.Don't ask me why. I have no idea either. It was pretty quiet and quite exclusive. Without further ado, we went to Fashion Folks.

Since Jimmy and Saiful missed their chances, we agreed to go there again. I managed to pick myself a genuine leather belt which cost a mere SGD20. It was a great deal. After each and everyone of us get what we wanted, we were ready to end the day.

We could never thank enough for Shannon and Bridget. They were such a wonderful couple, not because of the frills but because of their warm welcome and a wonderful tour around Chennai. If not because of them, we would bring back nothing but a dull, boring life of Chennai. I really hoped that our paths cross again in near future. Good karma must return with a good karma.

On our way back, we sort of dropped by at Spencer's Plaza after alighting the already tired Jimmy. It was really a bad idea to come on a public holiday as the place was jam packed with shoppers, locals who just wanted to celebrate the joyous occasion with their friends and families. Supposedly we wanted to have our dinner there but we doubt there were vacant seats in the restuarants. In the end, we drove back. Meanwhile, Aaron was then suggesting to search for a bookshop. Determined it was located at Ranganathan Street, we literally squeeze ourselves through a mob of shoppers. I never seen a such narrow street which has loads of things to offer plus a throngs of people, challenging a colony of ants. We found a few book shops after a number of confusing turns but it was not what we were looking for.

Dejectedly, we drove back for a quick dinner. We intended to treat our driver Mohan but he refused respectfully. A very modest and humble driver. By then, Yh wasn't feeling quite well so we stopped by Apollo pharmacy before heading back. It was then I striked a short conversation with Mohan and I had learnt that a lived in Anna Nagar where I believed a lot of drivers dwelled there.

Upon arriving our house, we tipped him off with Rs100 and saw him smiling on his was back home. It was indeed a fruitful weekend with so much to see. We almost miss our chances if not for our lady luck. It changes my perspective of Chennai drastically. I recommend to visit the outskirts of Chennai where it was more than just a tour itself.

Probably, when the girls arrive, we show them around Mahabalipuram and Pondicherry at the same time. A really great weekend for us all.

I have to thank Shannon and Bridget with a debt of gratitude.

Thank you so much.