Backpack-istan

So, we started by flying into Chennai and heading straight for Mallahapuram, or otherwise known as backpakistan. Malla is a small, slow paced port town that seems to run on tourism. The little town consists of a few streets notorious for budget hotels and restaurants serving delicious local and foreign cuisines, specializing in freshly caught seafood. When dining at any of the street or sea view restaurants, watching other travelers wondering by while you wait for your meal, it becomes inevitably clear why this town is known as "backpakistan." The city itself used to be huge port that enabled trade with many parts of the world, including china, Persia, Rome, and other nations, but the main attraction in Mallahapuram is the Archaeological site that surrounds the outskirts of the little town. It consists of amazing monolithic carvings of temples and sculptures carved out of a single piece of rock (apparently the second biggest of its kind in the world with the first being in Cambodia). Here you also find Krishnas butter ball (a big circular boulder seemingly balancing on a slanted slab.) It is said that the British thought the positioning of the boulder was dangerous and tried to move it with 10 elephants, but still it didn't budge.There is also a magnificent temple at the shore(aptly named the shore temple) that really is a spectacular site to behold at either sunrise or sunset.
In summary, Malla is a quaint, dusty little town crawling with contemplative foreigners. The beach is strewn with fishing boats and bundles of fishing nets, but there seems to be a little corner of it where travelers congregate for a late afternoon swim and sunbath (we did however find a bigger cleaner beach on the otherwise of the shore temple where horseback riding on the beach at sunset is also an option). 
Seafood is completely to die for with prices that range to about 250 rupees (5 USD). Clothing and stone carving shops are abundant. Electricity availability is unpredictable and beggars (women and children alike) are very persistent. Mala is a great place to get away from the hustle and bustle of the bigger cities. At it's slow pace and relaxed mood it is the perfect location to either start a trip and acclimatize and familiarize to the weather and new country. Or a great place to consolidate thoughts and do some shopping before leaving India. We stayed at Siva Guest house, a clean quite place situated very near the main road leading to the beach. The rooms are of varying prices, with or without A/C and the guy who works their is honest and helpful. At Siva's Guest House, we also met a couchsurfer named Max. He's a fun German guy with lots of enthusiasm! He has become our pseudo travel partner; only even if we bump into him by accident along the way...

Siva Guest house,  #2 Ottavadai Cross Street, Mamallapuram, Tamilnadu, South India 603 104,Phone 0091-4427443534, check in - 12:00 - check out . 900 INR a night without A/C.

Shiva's Guesthouse - where we began our India trip

Some additional photos or view all photos here:

Our new friends in local restaurants

Welcome to backpackistan (Mahabs)

Seashore temple