Day 7 - Thu 16 Nov 17: Swamimalai to Thanjavur, 58 km - Total so far: 359 km

24 to 33 deg, fine and mainly sunny. Pleasant due to fairly low humidity, although our British mates probably wouldn’t agree.

Due to a relatively short ride today we were granted a sleep-in, although it’s something I am not able to manage. Maybe I have FOMO, (fear of missing out). I was up early to get a good look at the hotel in the light of day. You could spent all day just exploring it as there is so much stuff in the “museum” it’s impossible to take it all in. It’s also been a Palace at one stage (19th century) so the architecture and decor are stunning. Breakfast was our first non-curry one and strangely enough we missed the curry, go figure. We finally left the hotel about 11am and continued our push Westward.

Bullock carts and cycles are more common than any other vehicles as we ride to another Southern Indian gem; Thanjavur, and its world heritage listed Brihadeshwara Temple. Coffee was purchased for us from the most basic of coffee shops but darn it was good.

More paddy fields, thousands of goats everywhere and lots of rural workers going about their daily work. They do look a very hard working nation as we can attest from observing the ones who move to our country. Apart from one 45 minute ride on a potholed backroad we spent most of the ride today on good smooth bitumen roads. The last part, negotiating through the city traffic is always the most fun. I’m sure Wendy would enjoy the hooting and the closeness of the buses, cars and trucks; not!

We pulled into the Hotel, Gnanam, about 3pm and went straight to lunch, an incredibly tasty chicken biryaani served on a banana leaf. Although we cheated and used a spoon instead of our fingers.

After checking in, followed by the shower, unpacking (absolute minimum) and riding gear washing it was off to do some Temple Spotting.

Thanjavur, which is an important center of South Indian religion, art, and architecture. Most of the Great Living Chola Temples, (UNESCO World Heritage Monuments) are located in and around Thanjavur. The foremost among these, the Brihadeeswara Temple, is in the centre of the city. Thanjavur is also home to Tanjore painting, a painting style unique to the region. The city is an important agricultural centre located in the Cauvery Delta and is known as the "Rice bowl of Tamil Nadu". It was also famous for its traditional silk wearing but that has come under pressure from the cheaper mass produced stuff.

Brihadeeswarar Temple (locally known as "Big temple") is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is also known as RajaRajeswara Temple Rajarajeswaram and Peruvudayar Temple and is one of the largest temples in India. Built by Raja Raja Chola I and completed in 1010, the temple turned 1000 years old in 2010. What an amazing, stunningly beautiful, HUGE place of worship.

As we’d only just eaten lunch Phil, Bob and I skipped dinner in favour of a lime soda and some ice cream. Despite the fact we’d only cycled a short distance we were all ready to retire by 8:30pm

The Big Temple was the highlight of today.

INDeco Hotel


The little zoo at the hotel








They do this, or similar outside every door, every day

Watch "dogs"

Dining room

A me shot at Eco Hotel





Official farewell from the Eco

Bike Repair Shop

Coffee Shop

The Barista Supremo

Fish Monger

Banyan Tree

The backroads

Some hygiene lessons. Thought of Gunther straight away.

Paddy Temple

Workers’ transport

Lunch

Colourful dresses








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