I'm looking for an inner-city Madurai hotel guys that's not TOO disgusting and close to the temple complex.. Dog, as you know, likes to wander out and explore.

I know about the Taj/Gateway, the Heritance [9,500 rupees a night - nah], the GTC Regency - all of which are fine, but out of town. I have no need for a tourist enclave, the ubiquitous 'oasis of calm' - throw me in the deep end and I'm happy.

The Hotel Park Plaza seems the best so far. Any suggestions? I'm not expecting to be overwhemed with replies.

Had to look it up, but now we have dogster firmly placed in Tamil Nadu (but for how long???) Fodors lists several places but only one seems to be central (they don't have a map) - the Park Plaza you've already found.

Lonely Planet lists several at hotels.lonelyplanet.com/hotel/?RegionId=797215 including the Park Plaza. In the "old town" they also list Hotel Chentoor (same street), Hotel Supreme (same street, popularity has affected service), and Madurai Residency (West Marret St). Nothing in Sawdays.

Not quite yet, thursday - I'll be there on Sunday, according to my newly minted Jet Airlines E-ticket.

As of five minutes ago you could have firmly placed me in The Majestic Dining Hall eating a 78 rupee chicken thali with a fight between the staff swirling around me.

But, where is the Majestic Dining Hall?

Looks like Park Plaza is booked out. That's the glory of these spur of the moment last-minute plans - but then, I don't have to tell you about that! I am truly in the grip of fate.

Sounds like a typical dogster trip, lol. Hope the new legs are holding up well.

Hello Dogster. I can't contribute anything of use, but your posts are certainly helping me to find my way around India in preparation. And I wish you Happy Travels.

Ahhh, thank you gertie. How lovely. And thank YOU, thursday - I forgot to say that before.

Gertie, when you read the upcoming Chronicles De Ogster for this trip you'll discover a few locations you never need to visit. After a great deal of research, Dog has discovered The Most Disgusting City In India - which, given my previous travels, is saying quite a lot. Mercifully, I'm not still there.

and for those UTTERLY lost: go here

http://www.pbs.org/thestoryofindia/g.../photos/5.html

I look forward to your tales (as well as many others). Thanks, for the link on Michael Wood, it was a great series and I loved seeing some again. We're leaving in Feb. for Tamil Nadu for our first visit to the South!

Just saying hello Dog- obviously no idea on hotels as thats your job to seek out the odd places for everyone else. So nice to hear you are still with us and traveling, you've been so quiet (for you). Hope discovering the Most Disgusting City in India has been worthwhile - I'm sure we'll all enjoy the experience too when you are back to writing.

Keep safe and on all fours.

OK, where has Dogster's Tamil Nadu report gone??? It was getting weirder, he was getting sicker, then better, and now he has vanished from this forum. I worry...

Yes, I want to know also...very curious. Why would his report be deleted?

Go here impacked:

http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...ers-topics.cfm

All is revealed.

So happy to hear Dogsters bark again. When I logged on was thinking I miss that mangy creature, hope he has re-emerged.
There you are, glad to hear from you.

Yup, I've emerged from what I now realise was a very considerable fog.

Really NY, this was very odd indeed; one of those solo traveler's things where you just drift slowly into weirdness. If anyone could possibly understand, it's another solo traveler.

What is worse, I was blissfully unaware. Beware The Cough Medicine Of Madness. Funnily enough, it was only something someone said in here that clicked the switch. But I mi-i-i-ght be able to capture it in a story or two.

Don't touch that refill until the stories escape! Please...

Dogster's tales are inspiring me to return to India...