Mysore Royal Palace

Starting to write this onboard the Hampi Express, leaving Mysore for the overnight run to Hospete. One could be excused then asking why Hampi Express when it doesn't go there. Well, the main reason for travelling to Hospete is to visit Hampi, more of which at a later date once we have been there.
Today started badly with repeated rapid transits to the loo, and an emailed requiest to delay the start of the city tour until 12 noon, by which time a dose of immodium had done it's job.

Our first port of call was the magnificent Royal Palace, largest of all seven Mysorean palaces. The building took 15 years to construct, completing in 1935 so just about the same age as our 'tween the wars semi, allbeit a tad more elegant, and a smaller heating bill to boot.

Next was a wander through the amazing produce and flower market where umpteen varieties of our common edibles, and a significant number of unfamiliar veggies are offered at prices you wouldn't believe. We took a large hand of small bananas and 5 large oranges for about 70p.

There followed a brief visit to St Joseph & Sta Philomena's church, built to accommodate the invading Brits, financed by the then king. Strange.

Final formal item on this part of the tour was a trip up a mountain (well, a big hill) to a Hindu temple dedicated to yet another of Vishnu's incarnations. Apparently this is a significant place for the Hindu religion and therefore attracts huge numbers of devotees which in turn attracts all sorts of traders offering everything from plastic toys and replice temples. The venue also attracts hoards of monkeys who will steal whatever they can get their hands on. Quite unpleasant wee beasts. One attacked an elderly gentleman who tried to pat it on the head after feeding it a lump of food.

We were then treated to a quick cup of chai at the home of our guide whose wife is due to deliver their first child on Monday next. Interestingly, they do not know the gender of the child and in fact it is prohibited to tell an expectee the gender of an unborn. This to reduce the birthrate and, perhaps more worrying, the abortion rate for females.

Next morning 07:00
Our sleeper train left 19:00 on the dot, and with little incident and little sleep, we arrived again on the dot.
Transferred to hotel in Hospete at 07:30 and being picked up at 09:30 for our day in Hampi.

Getting confused about days now. I think this Blip is for Saturday although it's Sunday now here. Next Blip will be for Sunday, but might be posted today, tomorrow, or even the day before / after, dependant on ones whereabouts. ;-)