Shore temples. A post visit report

Yesterday I talked more about drivers and driving style, but not much about the visit itself.
We drove down to Mahablipurham to see the Shore Temple, which is a World Heritage site and worthy of that. There were originally 6 temples and all of the others have been swallowed up by the sea at various times and the remaining temple is now on a point in the sea and the beach on both sides is 50-60 meters further inland.

All of this area was impacted by the 2004/5 Tsunami and evidence of that could be seen on the way down. The temple area itself has been protected by rock (rip-rap) did not appear to have been impacted substantially and is nicely laid out.

There is an entry fee and a great example of differentiated pricing (see photo)For reference there are about 50 rupees to the US dollar.
We enjoyed some fresh coconut milk, delivered direct from the coconut. Very refreshing and guaranteed fresh as the guy hacks the top off the coconut right in front of you!!
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We decided against the Walls Ice cream (Walls is or was a well known UK brand. This one may not be the same!)
Also saw this kid playing in the sprinkler. They are the same world wide!!

On our return we stopped at Fisherman's Cove which is a smart Raj (hotel group) resort and there were many foreign tourists enjoying good food a very nice beach and a swim up bar at the hotel swimming pool. I thought of my daughter Sara at this point, and know she would have enjoyed that!!
We came on back and went to the athletic stadium to pick up the credentials for JS"s guests and watched some of the competition. Basically it is a senior sytle games and the youngest categories are 40-45 and they go up to 75+. Js's guests are in the discus, shot put and hammer throw. One is in the 75+ class. (he is a supple 78 years old) and the other in the 65-70 group. The winners here will represent India in the Asian games in Maylasia in December. I spoke with one family who had travelled from Assam in the far north east for the Mum to compete in the hammer throw. I asked and they told me that they came by train... a three day journey. That is dedication.
Nice dinner of fresh fish at the rooftop restaurant at the Raintree with black Dal and cold beer per Bruce's recommendation!!
We are off to Kodi Kanal a hill station in the morning and I suspect no Internet, so the next post may be a few days. We are back on Tuesday (It is early Friday morning here)
For those going to the Hibernian tonight have a cold Highland Gaelic for me!!