ನಾನು ಬೆಂಗಳೂರು (ಮತ್ತು ಚೆನ್ನೈ ಮತ್ತು ಮೈಸೂರು)ಗೆ ಹೋದ ಸಂದರ್ಭದಲ್ಲಿ / எனது பெங்களூரு (மதுரை மற்றும் மைசூர்) செல்லும் சப்தத்தில்

Today was a VERY early start (I know, it was my own making).

I got up about 01:30 and showered and got ready. I just pottered about in the room until it was time to go meet the driver. I had to wake up the security guard to let me out. I tried to tell him when I would be back but he wasn’t understanding so I figured I’d just message the hostel worker a little later to remind them to let the security guard know.

It took about 35 minutes to get to the airport – this didn’t include the 5 minutes the driver stopped to take a leak. They just stop anywhere to pee here.

I got to the airport and was confused about the process. I went and printed off my boarding pass – though an airport worker was offering “help” which really annoyed me because I was so tired. I didn’t say anything though. If I let them help, they’ll leave me alone quicker.

Security here was way better than it was in Delhi – that being said, it was a domestic flight.

I got to the gate and just sat and chilled. I ate the hugely expensive Kit Kat I bought. I paid ₹300 for it – that’s almost THREE OF CHARLIE’S QUIDS!!!

As I was sitting there, I heard a scream from the escalator. Almost everyone rushed over to have a nose. The guy sitting next to me woke up and wandered over and then came back to the seat to sleep some more.

I boarded and I was in the middle seat of the very back row. The guy that sat next to me asked where I was from and if he could have a picture with me. I obliged and then just put my head forward to try and sleep.

There were 2 seats free on a row in front and the cabin crew moved there, so I sat in the aisle seat so the middle seat was free.

This flight was so short that I didn’t have time to sleep. The flying time was 32 minutes. I checked and this is my shortest flight time yet.

It was no sooner that we reached cruising altitude that we started our descent.

I got off and then headed to find a bathroom and a USB port so I could charge my phone – I forgot my plug at the hotel. Rookie error! I’ve been doing a lot of those lately.

I got some cookies and sat down for a little bit to charge my phone and to get a signal. It took ages for the latter.

I then headed to metro station and I was thoroughly enjoying the sights and sounds of the city. I also got some pictures from the metro station.

As you can see in the middle picture above, I was close to the mainline railway. The passenger doors were open on all carriages. So weird that they do that here. It will definitely help with the airflow though as it was already 29° at 07:00.

I sat on the platform for a while (really though, I was hoping for a train without decals on so I could properly see out). There was a worker who kept telling me what train to take. I assured them I was fine.

I got the metro to High Court station. It cost ₹40 for the journey. Oh, the expense. I was hoping for a token like Bangalore, but they print a QR code here.

I finally got to High Court station and went out of the station to head in the direction of a temple I had seen.

One thing I noticed (aside from the stifling heat) is how many people there are here that are begging. Even if you say no, they will grab you and pester you. I don’t like to see it, but I had to be firm. It was sad to see though.

I passed a Catholic shrine here and had a quick look inside. It wasn’t anything worthy of a stop, though.

I left here and then headed in the direction of the temple. I was shocked to see communist flags all over this area. I’m not sure if they know what they are or just don’t care. Either way, it’s weird.

I got to Kachaleeswarar Temple and had a look aim the grounds. It was ok but not super impressive.

I saw another one on the map and headed in that direction. This one is called Kalikambal Kamadeswarar temple. This one was a little more impressive.

I didn’t go into this one because I didn’t want to take my shoes off and walk on the hot ground in just my socks.

I walked in the direction of where I saw a souvenir shop – it didn’t open until 10, though, and it was only 08:33 at this point.

I walked towards the main road by the beach. I came across a stall selling mobile stuff. I saw he had a charger and I asked him for a look. He asked me what phone and I asked, again, for a look at the box. He asked about the phone and I told him it was an iPhone. He said it wasn’t compatible. I asked to look at the box again and he refused and said he wouldn’t sell it and told me to leave. Oh well. His loss.

I walked around the corner and found another stall selling the same one and I bought it. I then went to the main road and decided I wanted to go to the famous temple here. It’s called Arulmigu Vadaplani Murugan temple.

I booked a TukTuk through Uber and just waited for the guy to turn up. He did and we set out on our way.

There is a lot of metro construction in the city right now so it took about 40 minutes to get there. He was pointing out some of the sights on the way and I was appreciative of that.

I got some pictures and videos on the way.

We got to right by the temple and there was a traffic jam so I got out here and walked the 30 seconds to it. What an amazing sight and it was also super busy.

I didn’t know where to look. I couldn’t decide if I wanted to go inside. I decided that I should, since I’m here and I won’t ever be here again to do it.

I took my shoes off and then just queue-jumped and went inside. Don’t judge me for it.

It was so colourful and impressive. I was in here for about 40 minutes. It was nice.

Once I left here, this is where the fun and games began. I went to get my shoes but someone had stolen them. Stolen them. From a temple. Stolen them from a temple. Of all places.

I looked around a few times and they weren’t there. I went and found the police and spoke with them and reported it. Some people were laughing. Like, why are you laughing fools? One guy said I should just buy another pair. I told home to give me the money and I would. He didn’t like that idea.

I asked the cops what they were going to do about it. They laughed too and suggested I just walk around in my socks. Not. A. Chance!

They brought the tourist crime officer and I told him what happened and he said it could take 5 hours to trawl through the CCTV. I told him I didn’t have that amount of time. He asked me to show him where they were and how much I paid for them.i showed him and told him they were the equivalent of ₹6,000.

The area where they were had no CCTV. I said that he should take me to a shoe store so I can buy some. I had to argue with him to get him to do it. We went to the mall and he came with me to get them. I ended up getting a pair of green leather Reeboks for ₹2,800

They’re ok but not as comfortable as my Adidas ones. Luckily I brought an extra pair and they are in Bangalore.

I stayed at the mall and had some food from McDonald’s and tried out the charger and it was fine and charged my phone enough.

Once I was done here, I decided to walk to a souvenir store I had seen on the map. I was sweating like crazy because of the heat.

I got there and they only sold blank magnet paper and nothing with Chennai on it. Grrrr.

I tried to book a TukTuk to go to Santholme Cathedral, but nobody was picking up the ride. Uber suggested I offer a tip of at least ₹30 to see if that would get a better response. It did – but it was short-lived. They then cancelled and I had to try again. After trying two different pickup locations and waiting for 40 minutes, I decided to go to the metro station.

I had a couple of drivers stop and ask, and they wanted ₹300 – triple what Uber was asking – and I said no. I asked another and he refused to go.

I walked to the metro station and went back to High Court station to go to the one I had seen on the map this morning. I was getting so irate because of how hot it was and how tired I was. I stopped every now and then to get some pictures, though.

I got there and they didn’t have any. He suggested another place and I walked there and they were the same.

Some school kids were looking and pointing as if they’d never seen a fat white man before.

I got to the place the other shop suggested and they didn’t have any either. Grrrr. I gave up at this point and tried to book a TukTuk to Santholme but no takers again.

A driver showed up and we agreed on ₹230 to go there. It seemed to take ages, though. Again, all the construction wasn’t helping. I snapped some pics on the way.

We got to Santholme Cathedral and I went in and had a look around. I didn’t want to take my shoes off, but did anyway out of respect. I took them in with me so they wouldn’t get nicked.

I went out and I was asked if I wanted a TukTuk. I told him where I needed to go and what I was looking for. I told him I’d pay ₹350 for it too. He agreed.

We went to the Namma Chennai sign for pictures.

I told him I had the picture and he still insisted I get a selfie.

We left here and then went to get the fridge magnets that said Chennai on them. We also stopped for a drink.

I reiterated to him that I wanted dropped off at a metro station and he was insistent he would take me to the airport. I just left him to it.

We got to the airport and I gave him ₹500 and he said he wanted ₹500 more. I told him no and I told him that he chose to take me to the airport and that I just wanted to get the metro.

He wasn’t happy. I left him with the money and walked off to the airport.

I decided to chill in the check-in area for a little bit before heading to security.

I’m through security now and by the gates and have gotten word that the flight is going to be 30 minutes late leaving. We now won’t leave at 23:45 but at 00:15. I am so ready to be back in Bangalore and in the cooler temps and the AC room.

I hope the security guy remembers I am coming back late and leaves the door open. I don’t want to have to bang it and wake up everyone.

Tomorrow isn’t going to be such an early start for the tour around Bangalore, but early enough. I just hope I get some good sleep when I get back.

As I finished writing this, someone at the airport came up to me and said hello. It turns out it was the guy from this morning who asked for a picture. What are the chances!

We sat and had a chat about life and stuff. It turns out the flight we were on was only his second flight.

As we were chatting, it was 23:10 and I told him I should probably go to the gate. As I said that, it went from SECURITY to FINAL CALL. I rushed to the gate and they were a few others that were confused about the rapid change given we got notification of a flight delay earlier.

We got on the bus and headed to the plane. There were already passengers on board. I’m hoping we are the last as it means I’ll get a whole row to myself and can maybe sleep for about the 37 seconds the flight will take.

I put something on my phone to watch and I don’t remember how much of it I got through and whether or not I slept. I’m guessing that must mean I did sleep some.

We landed and we deplaned pretty quick and I was pretty quick to get out the airport and to an Uber for the ride back to the hostel.

I found where they picked up and went to a car and the driver refused because I couldn’t tell him how far it was from the airport. That annoyed me. I may have flipped him off and called him a name. I reported him to the uber guys there too.

Thankfully, the next car took the trip. It was a nice, smooth trip back and it’s now time for bed, ready for tomorrow.

Below are some pics from today