I reached India on 14/12/2000 at Bombay. Using an Discover India ticket from Indian Airlines visited Elora Caves, Ajantha Caves, Elephanta Caves, Mount Abu, Ranakpur, Nagda, Ekling, Chittaurgarh, Udaipur, Delhi, Agra, Khajuraho, Varanasi, Bubaneswar, Konark, Puri, udayagri Caves, Nandan Kanan Park, and Atri Hot Sulphur Spring and reached Chennai on 27/12/2000.7

27/12 Ramsingh,and SV Rajadurai a prominent journalist and friend of mine met me at the airport.

We missed my cousin Nandini and the children Senthan and Salini who were waiting for me at the airport. I missed Gopu from Travelx who was also waiting for me at the airport. On our way to the hotel we stopped at Manimekalai Book shop and ordered all the books for my sister in Germany, my daughter in UK and the books for my wife. Checked into Hotel Breeze, an excellent hotel, was surprised to see my cousin, children and Gopu waiting for me. All of us had an excellent dinner at the hotel.

28/12 Ramsingh came and picked me up in the morning, went into town, did a fare amount of shopping, had lunch at my cousins place. I am seeing some of them for the first time as they were born after we left Sri Lanka due to the civil war. They were also was displaced from Point Perdro our home town and had experienced terrible hardship in Vanni where they have to live under the tree among daily bombing without proper food, medicine, water and education for the children. Ultimately they arrived in India as refugees. It was one of the most pleasant days of my life. It was my parents who gave them in marriage. I was not there for the marriage and they fondly recounted the good old days. Had dinner at Ramsinghs house, surprised to see his children has grown up and eldest son Venky is married.

29/12 Left early in the morning by car to Kanchipuram, on the way visited the spot were Rajivi Gandhi was assassinated.

Visited the temples, bought silk scarf for my friends.

Reached Mamalapuram visited the famous landmarks.

Had dinner at a roadside restaurant and tasted tropical fish, and prawns after a very long time.

Checked into Mamalla Bhavan Annexe, it is not one of the best place to stay. Enjoyed the dance festival. Read my Articles on Kanchipuram and Mamalapuram for detail.

30/12 Left early in the morning for Chidambaram visited the temple.

It was raining and I couldnt take pictures as I wanted. Stayed at Hotel Saradaram, the best hotel available in town, it was crowded and noisy. Read my article on Chidambaram.

31/12 Left for Tanjavur. On the way visited Dharasuram, Gangai Konda Cholapuram.

Senthan my nephew kept us entertained in the car. Senthan being a film fan was delighted to see the location of Amarkalam film shooting.

Visited Tanjai Periya Kovil.

Though I have visited this temple several times it gives me pleasure every time I visit. Those who are film fanatics will notice this temple in the film "Dum Dum" where Jothika and Mathavan are dancing in this temple. Refer to my article on Gangai Konda Cholapuram and Tanjai Periya Kovil. Stayed at Oriental Towers Hotel a pleasant hotel. Visit their web site for detail.

1/1 We left for Trichy, the drive through lush green paddy and sugar cane fields was a pleasant site.

On our way we came across devotees walking to their destination. It can take as much as 30 days of walking.

In Tamil Nadu you will see the statue of late M G Ramachandran known as MGR, a famous film star, Chief Minister, Ardent supporter of LTTE, and its genius leader Velupillai Prabaharan,almost in every town.

MGR fought for the poor people,he is the one who took corruption to knook and corner of remote villages. He also gave decency to the word "mistress",and all his mistress (even god has lost count of them) are very popular. Clinton should have learnt a few lessons from MGR. His influence is so strong in Tamil Nadu,if a person is not corrupt he/she has no chance of being elected. In Tamil Nadu they prefer a corrupt candidate, and anyone who claims to be the mistress of MGR stand the chance of becoming a Chief Minister.

Senthan was not in the best of health. Visited Sri Rangam and Siva temple of Jambukeswaram, though Senthan was mortally scared managed to get close to the elephant.

Decided to give a miss to Rock temple.

At Sri Rangam an old lady pronounced that an Andal is praying to be united with Senthan. To date we have not yet identified the Andal (a beautiful girl).

Stayed at Royal Southern Hotel a comfortable hotel.

2/1 We continued our Journey to Madurai, stopping to see a few temples on the way. Madurai Meenachi Temple is one temple I love to visit.

Took some photographs. Ramsingh was managing the crowd. In one of the photos, I never realised that a lady was in at the time I took it. Ramsingh also assures that there was no one at the time. Who is the lady?

Is it Madurai Meenachi? Will any one clear our doubt? Stayed at Hotel Supreme. As usual we had our problem with Senthans food. Parents have spoilt him. He is too choosy and hardly eats anything. Stayed at Hotel Supreme a reasonably comfortable hotel with an advantage of couple of yards away from the temple. Read my article on Madurai Meenachi for more detail

3/1 Left for the temple at about 5 AM, had a pleasing day at the temple. When we went back to the hotel for breakfast, met an American lady who was complaining to us her companion who is also a lady sleeps till about 12 noon have a couple of beer and then sleep again. We offered her a lift on our trip to Swami Malai, Kallar Kovil, Palamuthir Cholai and the water spring.

Senthan was scared of monkeys and was hanging onto Ramsingh.

4/1 We started our journey to Mudumalai forest.

On our way we passed Otty, had to go into town in search of sweater for Senthan. As it was getting dark and driving through narrow mountain roads covered with thick jungle, the car radiator gave trouble and we have to look for water. Stopped at a village in complete darkness to get water and a cup of tea. Senthan refused to get out of car fearing that Veerappan the famous bandit may be around the place. If he was around I am sad we missed him. We reached Monarch Safari Park Hotel fairly late, had a good dinner and Senthan as usual started watching Tamil Cinema on the TV. There are plenty of TV stations to choose from. We have to put up with his talk about his pet comedian Vivek. I think he is worse than Senthil and Kavuntamani whom I hate to watch.

5/1 We went for an early morning Elephant ride.

May be because of the unbearable smell of alcohol from the guide all animals have fled miles away and we couldnt see much except peacocks, dears, wild pigs and jungle fowls.

Then we went on a safari by bus. Bought mutton on the way and got the cook to at the hotel to cook a lovely meal.

6/1 We reached Hassan. On our way we visited Saravanabelagola.

Senthan was very shy to see all the naked statures. Stayed at Southern Star Hotel, very comfortable hotel with good food.

7/1 Visited Belur and Halibid.

Though I have visited these places several times you get the feeling you are seeing new things. There is so much to see, perhaps even if you visit 30 times, you will get the feeling you have missed something. Read my articles on Belur and Halibid.

8/1 started our journey early, travelled along bumpy roads and reached Somanathpur.

Wonderful place. Very little publicity is given to it. When you realise that foreign visitors waste their time visiting Mysore Maharaja Palace and miss Somanathpur you feel sorry for them and get angry at the travel agents that cheat them. Took Senthan to Birinthavanam Gardens, and for a boat ride, before quarrelling about the dinner.

9/1 Travelled to Hogenkkal. This is a famous waterfall and popular location to South Indian movies. Senthan and Ramsingh being film addicts were able to recall all films shot in this location. Went for a boat ride, and I can assure that Senthan must have had his heart in his mouth. Came back and had oil massage, initially Senthan was shy but managed at the end. The water was gushing and Senthan joined the ladies till he managed to gather enough courage to join us, still holding to the iron railings.

10/1 Left for Banglore and Chennai

On the Motorway you can see people dashing across the road. Stopped at the bull market.

Had traditional Jaffna food at my cousins place. Spent the night at SVR place. Enjoyed Mrs SVR cooking.

11/1 Left for London.8