Sunny South 1 (Mysore)

View from the window at Ginger Hotel, Mysore

What takes people out of their cozy homes to places that they may or may not like? In my case it is   just to break the monotony, no matter how beautiful it is. Then there are my mentors on social media  who keep inspiring or pestering me through their lovely travel blogs to get out of my shell and create the moments that I would relish years later on my easy chair.  

I had to go to Bangalore to visit my son and explore  the temples and wildlife and food and everything of the beautiful state of Karnataka. I had 10 days in hand and more than 10 destinations in my mind. I had no Idea what I would do. Just a week before it is difficult to book hotel rooms, taxis and Air-tickets. I fell on a friend's feet to guide me. It must be the most tiresome task to make an itinerary for someone else. Especially if the person is too busy with his work, family and school going kids. I made many guilt laden calls and sent many messages to communicate my choices and queries related to the trip. I have no words to thank him for this support. Finally Natraj sent me my Itinerary. 

It took me a whole day to reach Bangalore from Kanpur. My son welcomed me in his one BHK in his long flowing hair. He looked more like his toddler self to me when I used to tie his hair in a small ponytail and all my anger vanished.



Unlike a traditional mom, who would have cleaned the house and cooked for her son, I followed my itinerary and headed for Mysore the very next morning.  With a car booked for the whole trip and a local, reliable driver, I did not consider myself a solo traveller. For travelling solo. I hv yet to gain confidence. I started early and thoroughly enjoyed the drive. It was like watching a South Indian movie with dense patches of coconut grooves, hamlets, small temples, and billboards displaying huge pictures of film actors.                                          

After a nap I woke up in front of the Banarasi Dhaba, although I was expecting some  eatery named Shravana or Latha.

 I complimented the owner for the feast, while paying the bill. Rs 120 for two stomachs full, including coffee.

Ginger Hotel, Mysore was going to be my home for the next three days. I found hotel rooms fascinating and they do make a part of my happy memories and  my extended 'me time'. All things needed are packed in a suitcase. Room service, the beds with the soft matresses to sink in and sprouts in breakfast which I have not soaked is a luxury I love to devour.

The whole day at hand, I followed what the brochure at the hotel suggested. The Mysore zoo was the first destination. I had imagined myself visiting a palace or a museum or a temple, but not a zoo. The zoo was grand and spread over 157-acres of land. It must be  a Herculean's task  to manage  such a place. Birds and more birds did steal my heart.                                  

The giraffe I saw for the first time.

Butterflies

Monkeys 

The Tiger was royal indeed !

Baby Care Rooms for little visitors

Wax Musium

vvvv

                   Melody Wax Museum 

                                                                                         

                                                                           With His Highness Srikantadutta Narasimharaja Wadiyar


                             

 Dinner at Hotel Siddhart was good. I am not a foody, but I craved for the really tasty food which I would not get in my city. After all I came so far to experience it. Then I realised that the food I was craving for can be only had in the kitchen of a home chef.   

 

                                                             

In the premises of the hotel there was a pan seller. I walked to get a meetha pan. He was from UP.It was nice to chat with someone in Hindi after a gap of many hours. A fan of the CM of UP, he informed me that finally he has electricity in his village, near Gorakhpur.

                               

                                   Complimentary Breakfast at Ginger

                                                                 off to Belur