Mysore

We caught an A/C bus from Ooty to Mysore which took around 5 hours. We’re racking up our 3^rd state so far; Mysore is in Karnataka. The town is known for producing fine silks & oils. As for sights, there’s a large palace which was the seat of the Mysore Marharaja. 

We booked a hotel recommended by an English couple we’d met. It was was a bit crap compared to the last one in Ooty, but I think OK by Indian hotel standards.

The tuktuk drivers in Mysore are con artists. We narrowly avoided being scammed on the first day for a multi-stop tuktuk ride. The driver only gave up when he realised we were quite happy to make an angry scene. Other drivers attempted to mislead us, telling us that sights were closed, so as to take us somewhere further away or to their mate’s shop.  Drivers always claim (all over India) that they have no change so that they can skim a bit extra on the fare. Another altercation took place because a driver ran out of fuel and we had to walk to our destination. He demanded the full fare; we told him to F-Off! We’re wise to it, but I become that little bit more distrusting of people each time someone attempts a con.

Once all the tuktuk nonsense is sorted out, we visited the Mysore Palace. This palace is located in extensive grounds right in the middle of Mysore. We take a look around the grounds and then go into the building for an audio-tour. The chap on the audio-tour is putting on some kind of weird posh English accent, so it’s hard to take seriously. This is the same voice that I hear on Indian TV commercials. 

I’d read that the zoo in Mysore had a white tiger, so was keen to go and have a look. The zoo is massive, and takes most of the afternoon to get around. 

The signs in the zoo are funny.

 

The rail museum is recommended in the guide book, so we took a look. 

Mysore is known for Ayurvedic massage, so we booked in to a spa. I had a great head and neck massage, Shejal had a foot massage. Before the massage began, the masseuse did a prayer and some singing - bit different.