Trip to Bangalore and Mysore

It’s a funny thing which happened at Cognizant. Ever since I got married in August of 2003, we had a chance to move out and my friends use to count and make fun of our trips. In August after our marriage we went to Kodaikannal for our honeymoon. And in September, RR our finance head at Cognizant gave free passes to a few people including me to stay at Taj for a couple of days for free. Then in October, it was time to go to Mumbai for the 1st Thalai Deepavali. So guys, used to joke saying that I am going on honeymoon month after month. Then the next opportunity came in the month of Jan 2004.

Vidya had a close friend at Mumbai before marriage. Her name is Sudha and after marriage to Suresh from Chennai, they moved to US since Suresh got a job there. Since they had bought a flat in Bangalore and wanted to do Gruhapravesham, she invited Vidya and her parents to attend the function. Vidya wanted to meet her dear friend after many years and did not want to lose the opportunity. Being a newly wed loving and caring husband I had no choice but to accede to her request. Also it created an occasion for a get away from the routines. I had asked my Dad and Mom also to join but they declined. As Mama and Mami were invited and planning to go for the function, we included them in the plan.

Vidya worked out a plan to go to Bangalore, attend the function then go around Bangalore and then visit Mysore before returning to Chennai. As this came around the Republic day (Monday) over the weekend it coincided with our plan. While I could get tickets one way to go to Bangalore the return tickets were completely full. So we decided to take the plunge as is and see if there was any chance to get tickets after going to Bangalore.

We started from Chennai on Thursday night and reached Bangalore early morning. We checked into a hotel suggested by Ravi (brother in law) which was close to the bus stand. It was a decent place for a short stay. Once we got ready we went down and had breakfast in the hotel restaurant. Once the morning pleasantries were over we then asked if the hotel can arrange for a sight seeing tour of Bangalore. Once that was arranged we then left in the bus to see the following places of interest in Bangalore. First I think we went and saw the bull temple and then a wildlife sanctuary in the outskirts of Bangalore. Then they also showed us the important monuments, museum, parks in Bangalore. In the evening we returned to the hotel and after dinner we went back to bed. Next day, we arranged a trip to Mysore. On the way we saw Tippu sultan’s palace, some temple on the way and then reached Mysore. There we saw the Maharaja’s Palace, which was truly an architectural wonder. In the evening we visited Brindavan gardens. Unfortunately it was not well lit and maintained. Even the fountains were not working. Nevertheless it was beautiful indeed. It was quite a long walk to and fro the park which was quite tiring literally. By night we returned to Bangalore.

Next day we went for the function at Sudha Suresh’s new house. It was a lovely house which we really liked and wanted something similar for ourselves in the near future. It was in a complex with swimming pool and all facilities. In the afternoon we left to see Sireesh in his residence. Unfortunately no one except for his mother in law was at his residence. We spoke briefly with his mother in law, saw a few photos and then returned back. Then I left to see if there were any tickets available for returning to Chennai. After going through each and every travel agent, I finally managed to obtain one with almost double the price. But when we got into the bus it was a rickety one as all buses were full and we had no choice but to adjust and return back home.

#Travel