Day 123: Trichy

Trichy reminded us of Datong, China. To get to Datong, we boarded our first train ride in China - a “hard seat” class way overloaded with passengers. To get to Trichy, we boarded our first train ride in India – a very crowded “sleeper” class where it was impossible to lie down, not to even think about sleeping. Our hotel in Datong was next to the train station while our hotel in Trichy was next to a bus terminal. Unlike Datong, a major coal producing place, Trichy did not have any coal mines, but the air was as polluted as other Indian cities. There were plenty of beggars and homeless people. Strangely we actually enjoyed our stay in Trichy. The hotel was cheap (US$7.50), but it had HBO and hot water. The restaurants near the hotel served delicious Indian meals and fried chicken. The historical sites (Fort Temple and Ramanathaswamy Temple) were close by.

"let me out"

The Fort Temple looked more magnificent from a distance. The climb up to the temple on the summit was taxing, but the summit offered a fine view of the entire city. The bazaars near the temple were busy in the evening. We did not fear about our safety when walking at night at the bazaar because there were so many people. The locals were friendly and chatty, often mistaking us for Japanese or Koreans.

view from the Fort Temple

the bazaar near the Fort Temple

The Ramanathaswamy Temple was even more amazing. When we got off the bus, we were met with this gigantic fort entrance with hundreds of figures. There were six walls which foreigners were only allowed to the fourth wall. The carvings and the White Tower were equally amazing. There was even an elephant that bobbed it head like the dancers in Bollywood films. When you offered the elephant coins for good luck, its trunk would grab the coins and gently touched your head. Great business idea! Tax free and no inventory issue. Bus number one conveniently goes to both temples (Rs 4) and back to the train station and the bus terminal.

the entrance to Ramanathaswamy temple

white towertemple elephant

stone carving
special painted horse

From Trichy, we boarded our first night sleeper train (3AC class) in India. It was a comfortable ride. Noisy from the moving tracks, but comfortable. To buy these tickets, we had to go to the train stations ourselves because the travel agencies in Trichy did not offer train ticket service (maybe it was too easy for the locals to wait an hour in queue). So off we went. The queue was really long. Fortunately a man told us about a special “women queue”. Actually it was the handicap counter. :( And we did get out ticket bypassing the general queue.

check out this special counter for women