Day 10: First Day in Madurai

Today we are leaving Chettinad and driving over to Madurai.

We woke up bright and early for our last breakfast in Chettinad. It was absolutely delicious and once again very loaded. Some others also spent some time in the pool while I spent time in the hotel’s souvenir gift shop.

We then embarked on a two hour car ride to Madurai, which was accompanied by so much beautiful greenery.

On the way, we stopped at Madurai’s local flower market that sells flowers to people going to the temples nearby. We bought some jasmine flowers buds and got given a few others for free.

Afterwards, we ate a a diner themed after Bollywood. It served a mix of Indian, Chinese, Italian and American food.

Before heading to the hotel, we also stopped at a palace where the empire’s royalty used to live. It was absolutely beautiful and the rain made it look something out of a movie. We actually learned a huge Bollywood dance scene was filmed there.

Afterwards, we headed to see a big temple in the city. No pictures were allowed but it was super colorful. Outside the temple, we all got distracted at a fabrics store. Sydney bought a new rug for her house. Meanwhile the rest of us got custom made clothing, tapestries, and pashminas.

We ended off our night at the hotel for dinner where we were met with maybe the best hotel buffet yet on this trip. 

The group hung out in one of the lounges together  to play some card games before we all headed to sleep.