Bangalore - a metropol in the amazing India

After a couple of weeks in the slow Kerala - tempo, we packed our (way to heavy already) bags and headed north- east to Bangalore, the city I was born in. Last time I visited this city, in 2000, it was a very different city (from what I can remember, which is disturbingly little..). From the fancy, expensive AC - airport bus on the way in, to all the posters with commercials, the huge buildings to all the busy businesspeople everywhere - it was all as we had left India and could have been in any other big city in the western world. Still, it was fascinating to be able to see these contrasts in so short time, and realize that this all is a part of India, a clash between the modern and the old, more poor parts.

We spent 3 days in Bangalore, two of them just wandering around the city. It lays 900 meters above sea level, so the climate is better adjusted to exploring by foot. Even if this is a big city, we felt quite comfortable walking around checking out the different areas, and it didn't feel so big. Still, I do not understand how it is possible to cross the streets in cities like this with small children, even if Bangalore's traffic was one of the "more sivilized" we have seen.Well, enough about that, we got used to it!

Hudson in India :)

Fun at the technological museum

Fancy shopping malls in Bangalore

After doing the museums and botanical garden the first day, we decided to take a arranged trip out to Mysore, 160 km east of Bangalore, to see the the famous Maharaja's Palace there. Even if we felt a bit like charter tourists, being taken from place to place and informed over the speakers, it was nice not having to run around to find the right bus everywhere. Just remember our bus and the nice tour guide, Jesudass, and everything was ok :)
We also got many other temples, store and pit stops with this package, and therefore felt like we had done our deed as tourist for the rest of the trip ;) But they were all nice, and it was interesting to see different architecture etc. Still the Maharaja's Palace was the most amazing one! Even if I, Anja, have seen it before, I was just as impressed as Sebastien. It is very big, and so nicely decorated everywhere. Unfortunatly we could not take pictures inside, which is the most beautiful part of it. But I promise you, it is the nicest decorations I have ever seen! Imagine living like a princess in there...

First palace

First of many temples... 

Cows have a good life in India :)

Mysore Palace

The evening was ended in the nice botanical gardens of Brindavan - really nice! Our gardener fathers would be proud of seing our excitement for these beautiful flowers ;)

The gardens

Fancy light - and water show, very popular! 

The last day in Bangalore, we started looking for an internet cafe. Not too easy, since everywhere apparently only offers WiFi and we left both computers, ipods and iphones at home.. But after an update, we took a walk up towards MG Road (a road every city with respect for itself has!). On the way we found Brigade road, and that pretty much kept us busy for the rest of the day. Brigade road looks like Oxford Street in London, or any other big shopping street, and we spent the day going for shop to shop, looking and trying on. Surprisingly enough, Sebastien was the one coming back with most bags.. :) A successful day, and also nice to have a day "like home" in the middle of India!

Still in India?

Mmmm... Caffe Latte

MG Road

Next stop: GOA