Worst experience at Mahabalipuram, know the truth!. Review on Mahabalipuram

*When Khalid visited Chennai during July'09, we had nice get-together.

As his Business meet was canceled for a day, we both decided to go to Pondy. We took tourist taxi and decided to see some tourists spots en-route to Pondy, like Kovalam Beach, Crocodile Park , Dakshin Chitra etc.

Our first worst experience started at Tamilnadu Tourism Hotel....we thought we would have quick breakfast. Oh ..it was horrible...tables not cleaned inexperienced waiters/servers, flies all around....Khalid ordered for 'Sambar Vada and I ordered for 'Pongal'. As Sambar vada was not ready they brought vada and 3 cups of Sambar! The sambar was like 'Rasam' and Pongal was like 'white clay' As we couldn't bear the bad smell around, we just left everything on the table, paid for uneaten food and walked out.

We were charged Rs.20 to enter Mahabalipuram. The roads were very bad inside with pot holes and stones. There were 3 parking lots to park 3 different important areas. Though it said 'Parking fees Rs.10/- the guard collected only Rs.5/- saying if you need receipt you have to pay Rs.10/-, but whether you pay 5 or 10, it's the same place for parking! We were shocked how these guards cheat Tamilnadu Government! Then how will TN will be able to maintain the place!?

Now to enter into any important spots inside the temple area you have to again pay Rs.10 as entrance ticket. The counter person knows only Tamil and cannot understand English or Hindi.

Khalid had problem in entering to these important spots. The Security mistook him as American and was demanding double the normal entrance fee!..as it is so for foreigners!! Poor my friend Khalid had to show his Indian driving license (Lucky he had it with him!) to prove that he is an Indian Citizen!

This famous tourist attraction needs personal attention of Tamilnadu Government. Anyway we had nice fun......I feel so lucky to spend a whole day with a simple, knowledgeable gentleman - Khalid!