Bumpy Buses and Our Buddies in Bangalore……

We loved seeing this sign in the reservations hall at the railway station in Hospet. Especially after we had been told by two different travel agents in Hampi the exact price the bribe would cost us if they arranged the tourist quota train tickets for us. In the end we decided to book the train ourselves.

We had our first 1A (first class air conditioned) overnight train trip when we went from Hospet to Bangalore. Every other train we had travelled on had served food but we always had our own. We decided to give the train food a try and boarded the train empty handed. Of course there was no food on offer! Thankfully the gorgeous Indian family who shared our cabin took pity on us and gave us a banana each and some of their rice. We arrived in Bangalore without an onward ticket but had no trouble getting into chair class for our two hour journey to Mysore. There was food on this train.

Check out this label!

We had a quick overnight stop in Mysore to see the Palace in lights. Rather inconviently an ex prime minister had just died and they were keeping the palace in darkness as a sign of mourning. It was Nick's fourth time to Mysore and he is yet to see the Palace lights switched on! We enjoyed chance to wander the streets despite our disappointment.

We caught a local bus for three and a half hours from Mysore to Madikeri for the total cost of $1.85 each. It was our first bus ride this time in India and we remembered why we did not take buses that often.

This photo was taken before the bus filled up!

View out the window of the bus…

The town of Madikeri was not that beautiful but we enjoyed wandering around for a while.

We were there long enough to make friends with a policeman. Check out his great white cowboy hat!

Coffee is what the area is known for and we enjoyed this sign!

I'll have ten Caffe Latte Regulars please!

Seems Fosters is just as popular here as coffee.

We escaped Madikeri and headed for the hills. Coffee Mountain was the location of our two night homestay and it was so peaceful and beautiful.

Australia vs. India in the cricket!

It was definitely a case of six and out!

India and Australia vs. India in the Soccer!

We could not believe this comment from an Indian guest in the guest book! I'm livin' in the 70's (1870's that is) It was a home stay for goodness sake!

We hired a taxi for the trip back to Mysore so we could stop off and see the Golden temple in the Tibetan village.

We caught the local bus from Mysore back to Bangalore and quickly realised why the back seat is not popular. We copied one of the locals and used their suspension system every time we went over a speed bump! And there were many!

” Welcome a Guest. Send Back a Friend.”

Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Independent India’s 1st Prime Minister

The highlight of this part of our trip was a three night stay with Ravi and his family in Bangalore. Nick and Ravi worked together in India and Ravi was in Melbourne for a few months with work as well. Ravi, Pavitra and Khushi welcomed us into their home with open arms, treating us to the most amazing Indian food and hospitality. I left feeling like I had three new friends for life!

Ravi took us to a local safari park and zoo. Here we are on the bus.

Could not read what this sign said but it left nothing to the imagination.

We could not resist this photo in a local shopping centre.

We loved these signs in the food court.

Making himself right at home!

Meet Khushi, the amazing artist!

The girls had fun dressing me up on our last night!

With the gorgeous lady who helps Pavitra around the house for a few hours a day. Can you believe she has four children and is already a grandma?

Nick did not miss out on the fun either!

In my gorgeous new Indian outfit given to me by Ravi, Pavitra and Khushi!

Thank you so much for everything Ravi, Pavitra and Kushi. We will never forget our time with you in Bangalore. We hope to see you in our home one day in Australia. X

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Bumpy Buses and Our Buddies in Bangalore……

December 24, 2012 by Karen

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