I had a few more places to visit before I leave, so I walked to Devarajaswami Temple to see the 1000 pillared hall. It was impressive. I liked the chain cut out of a single stone. I’ve been getting paranoid about my shoes getting stolen (especially after seeing that Slumdog Millionaire movie, where the main characters as kids steal shoes of foreigners) so I’ve been limiting my time inside the temple so I can get back to my shoes for the 3km walk back. When I started my trip, there was a person who would look after your shoes and you pay a small fee. But that doesn’t seem to exist here in Tamil Nadu.
I haven’t been feeling too secure in India, so when possible, I padlock my door with my own lock. In addition, I lock my computer by cable to the bars of the window in my room. I don’t want to lose all the originals of my photos on my computer at this point.
I walked through a dirty market before seeing Vaikunta Perumal Temple and then Kamakshi Amman Temple. After taking a shower, I headed to the bus station and waited for a bus to Mamallapuram.
Two hours later, I arrived in this small town next to the ocean. This was the port of the empire in ancient times. Also looks like a popular place for western travelers. I can see why, it is quiet and the beach is nearby.