When we visited the Shore Temple at  Mahabalipuram, Vaishakh our driver came inside with us and was telling us a bit about the history. That didn’t last long. Apparently the guides are very protective of their trade so if you’re not an official guide they get very upset. They told him that they would report him to the police if he didn’t leave, so he left us on our own to wander around and met us outside once we’d finished. After the temple it was a short drive to the Five Rathaus, an amazing collection of temples and sculptures carved straight out of the rocks. 

It wasn’t quite as busy as the shore temple and beach had been so it felt more relaxed wandering around. Also wandering around the site were a group of four young British lads. Mike offered to take a photo of them in front of one of the sculptures. They were very happy to offer him their phones and cameras for him to snap away. Little did they know that with this, they had opened a Pandora’s box! 

Always keen to educate the young, Mike asked them if they knew about the site – apparently they did not. That confession was their instant mistake, without a moments hesitation Mike, guide book in hand, proceeded to inform them about the world heritage site they were viewing. I’m sure that they were appreciative of his cultural knowledge. I’m just glad he wasn’t arrested for impersonating an official tour guide.