Monday, October 27, 2008

Mysore

Don't ask me why it's called 'my sore......feet, eyes or neck'. Probably because it takes hours to get from one place to another so by the time you get there you're sore everywhere!

My opinion on this trip is ' ok ok lah'. Some places were interesting (as you can see below) but some was just sucks. The historical places in India are real gems but the people here that try to rip you off to get a quick buck really spoils the whole experience. Well i guess it's the same worldwide but it'll be great to be able to give visitors a 100% feel good moments in India.

*The photographes below are in chronological order.

First destination after 4-hour journey from Bangalore was Ranganatha Swamy Temple. Our first impression was 'Wah, finally something nice' BUT when we got inside....NO PHOTOGRAPHY ALLOWED....Cheh!
Photobucket


Second stop was Tipu Sultan's Summer Palace. This place really speaks of the owner of the palace because when you reach the palace building....NO PHOTOGRAPHY ALLOWED. This time i was mad and i tried to steal a few shots but much to my surprise they have 'plain clothes policeman' inside to stop people from snapping away. After the first warning i kept going and was apprehended again and was told to put my camera inside my bag. Why so serious.....son(quote from Tha Joker)
Photobucket


Next stop, 'Bird Sanctuary'. When our driver mention that, i was brought back to the bird park in Langkawi that has so many things to see. But i think that 'Bird Santuary' was only for crows. That is all we saw there. We were in and out of there in less than 20 minutes and 25rupees poorer. So please bear with me as the below pics will not have any birds in them. The paddy field belongs to the neighbour of the 'sanctuary' and the river just happens to be there. SUCKS!
Photobucket

Photobucket


The next stop our driver wanted to take us was to a zoo. We were still too tramatised to go to another animal related place so we asked to skip. The time we where there coincides with an indian festival and there we loads of people in Mysore and when we passed by the entrance there we so many people. So no zoo for us please. We headed to Mysore Palace and hoped that it's not owned by Tipu Sultan as well. The queue was super long at the ticket counter as well. I think the queue was about 200meters at least, but it just took us 15 minutes to get in. Well Indians are very effecient in pushing their way in so that helped a lot. We didn't go into the place as the procedure was to leave your cameras at a counter before you enter. No thank you!
Photobucket


Next up, we headed up hill to Chamundi Hills. Nice scenary along the way. We could see the plains down below and it was beautiful. The temple at the top was alright and it wasn't that touristy with people trying to sell you all kinds of things. Not a bad place actually.
Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket


The reason we stayed the night in Mysore was because we wanted to see Mysore Palace lit up with millions of lights at night. It was beautiful, impressive and best of all....no entry charges as it was (as i mentioned) during a festival.
Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket


The next morning we asked to be taken to St. Joseph's Cathedral. Huge building and it looks out of place. We were rushed to just take a few snap shots and leave as our drive's wife was in labour and he needs to be in another town ASAP. He ask his brother to be our replacement driver.
Photobucket


After that we travelled 3hours to Belur Temple. Man this place rocks! The temple's art work was superb!
Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket


Finally, the last temple we visited was HoysaleswaraTemple. Same concept as Belur temple but this temple seems newer. Like Chamindi Hills, Belur and Hoysaleswara Temple was not touristy and no one really bothers you. There are a few people trying to sell you post cards but they are not pushy.
Photobucket

Photobucket

This lady pratically grab me by my arm to take a 'family portrait' with her family there.
Photobucket

No comments: