Mysore...

Off at 9:00 for the top of Chamundi Hill and the temple and views at the top of the hill.

We opted to skip the 300 stair climb down the hill and take the bus to see “Nandi” bull- the fourth largest Nandi bull statue in India.

Then on to the Maharajah’s Palace – the seat of the maharajah of Mysore. (On the way, the bus clipped a pedestrian—our first Indian accident. The guy was so angry that he came to the window and started to hit the assistant driver. Guess that’s why you need an assistant driver.) The palace is an interesting blend of Moslem, Hindi and European architecture- that all seems to work together. The palace was filled with 3 dimensional hologram paintings- it felt like the paintings eyes follow you. After a while, it got a little much-too much ornamentation.

With the tour over, we headed over to get some cash (the banks were on strike, so the only place to get money was from a travel agent- and they’d only take cash) and lunch…more spicy Indian and cold beers. Then it was off to the Railway Museum- a few old steam engines with one of the maharajah’s coaches. Everything closed in the afternoon- so we headed to the Coca Cola Cyber Café (another hot, dark room with two terminals hooked to the internet—but it was available, so we got a few emails off before heading back to clean up for dinner.

Dinner was at the Lalitah Mahal Palace Hotel- the old guest palace of the Raj. It was spectacularly beautiful- ceilings about 20 feet high, huge marble staircases. We sneaked a peak at the Viceroy Suite- $700 a night- a huge suite with bedroom, sitting room and large bath. They have 7 of these suites –and they were all occupied except one. Dinner was buffet- with the group. Time for a group photo and a ride back to our more meager accommodations.