Where have all the travellers gone?

Mamallapuram is a small friendly town, tiny really and according to the owners of the excellent Gecko restaurant there are around 60 tourist restaurants and cafes here in town. Considering most of them seem to have only 2 or 3 customers a day its amazing so many survive. Unlike a few years ago,  there are  no where near many western tourists around. I can vouch for that from personal observations, and those who are, like me, seem to be middle aged or elderly and often part of an organized package, and thus far less likely to give outfits like the lovely Gecko their passing business.

Looking along the main strip, it's easy to, see it was once geared up for busy vibrant trade. Those days have passed now, until such times as the European economy picks up. Meanwhile on this trip I keep asking myself "where have all the Aussies gone? 

Geckos outside my room

And Gecko's for supper