Konarak and laziness

November 09, 2021

081121 Odometer start at 30752. Location continues at Sterling Resort Puri

Before I get into the day, here are some pictures from yesterday. Sure you will like the sunset over the beach. And, the birds.

Woke up when the alarm went of, 0400. Then went back to sleep. Was out of the door about 45 minutes behind. Around 0520.

Surprised at how chill it was. Last evening when the staff told me it got cold, did not believe them. Now I do. Had to raise the windows of the Thar during the drive. And, there was sunlight, enough to drive without lights.

Got to Konarak by 0615. The sun was well and truly up. One has to park a distance away and walk to the temple. Now maintained by ASI. Saw a hunter stalking me as I walked towards the gates. Was approached by him for being my guide for the tour. Accepted, if only to give him business, and his skills at slinking up.

The place had opened at 0600. And, was already getting crowded. Not like when we were there in 2009. That visit we were the only people till almost the end of the visit, which lasted much much longer that this one. We had earnestly listened to all the guide had to say, land had questions, discussions.

This morning, told the guide to stick to history, forget the architectural nuances. The only point of discussion was on his detail about the Portuguese destroying part of the temple as it was messing up their navigation, in the 1500s. There was a powerful magnetic rock placed in the temple to keep all the stones in place. Those who want more detail, please read up.

It is a fantastic piece of architecture. The stone obviously has a high content of Iron and Copper. Many of the original stones are now black and green. The stones stayed together because of the magnetic rock. No other binding material.

That sandstone has lasted this long is in itself a wonder. One can clearly see the story of the ages on the stone. For those who have not been to Konarak, go now. Get in on a weekday before 0600. Beat the crowd. Else, you will not enjoy the visit.

Headed back towards Sterling by 0800. Had the Thar washed. Guys did a good job of getting a lot of muck removed from both the body and the under chassis. More important, the windows are now clean. Topped up the fuel tank.

Got back to Sterling around 0945 for breakfast. Odometer reading at 30850. Was planning to have a simple egg plate. Staff told me to take a look at the buffet table. Ended up with a Puri, one idli, one vadai, one masala dosa. Topped it all with some tea. Decent breakfast.

Lunch was a treat. The staff had gone overboard. First off, the lady I had interacted with yesterday had her weekly off. She had delegated her relationship to one of her mates. That lady came up, and explained that she had been told to make sure I ate well. The food arrived. It was in the form of a tender coconut. That was opened in stages to reveal a Prawn curry cooked in Tender coconut water, then filled into the same coconut and served. With Rice. Was very very good. Cleaned the dish.

Not one person can deny me the sleep in the afternoon.

Got to the beach at 1630. Did a clean 3 kilometres on the sand. The food had to be worked out. Saw some very interesting sights, apart from the lovely setting sun over the ocean.

There was this couple doing a movie act on the beach. Presumed it to be either a couple getting married in the near future or a couple at their anniversary who had been suckered into a fancy present. Not anything else. Too amateur. Could be a bad Odiya soap opera.

Then saw this group of kids posing on a Mallakhamba. They had a crowd with them, directing the moves, taking photographs with a bazooka on a tripod. Was waved at desperately from the distance as I was coming into the frame. Had to make a wide sandy detour.