Driving east from Tiruvannamalai, we cross a wide, flat valley with occasional granite outcroppings, which Davy and I called fortresses (because most of them have bulidings on top). Here are three such hills.

Although this is rice-growing country and we were there at the end of a rainy season, you can see that the land drains quickly and becomes arid without irrigation.

Some rice paddies and behind them another crop, which Davy thinks is sugar cane. Doesn't look like cane in Louisiana, but I can't think what else it might be.

Another view of the cane.

OK -- it's totally blurred. But it's such a cool image I can't resist including it. Using the car for PhotoShop-type special effect.

Here is a little granite outcropping in the middle of a rice paddy.

Rice planted long enough ago to be green.

Crossing a river just south of Chennai. If it weren't the end of the rainy season, I think the riverbed would be parched. I suppose there was a lot more water during the rains.

A typical truck on the highway. All the trucks say to honk your horn as you approach. And they all are decoratively painted -- some much more fancifully than this one.

A truck stop. Note the cows by the yellow truck in the background. Maybe they are buffalo -- it's tough to tell in this photo.

A family on a motor cycle in Chennai. A typical sight. The women usually ride side-saddle behind the men. If they are wearing pants, sometimes they straddle the motorcycle.

Shops in Chennai. Bicycle jitneys, motor cycles, bicycles parked out front. The men are wearing dhothis.

A view down a street in Chennai.

Shops along the highway, going north from Chennai.

Nearing Penusila -- Amma's ashram is at the foot of the mountains farther back in the photo.