The President Hotel Mysore

... it, self-contained, obsessively ordered and hinting of mysterious machinery and unknown activities. We were spat out at a media centre, the building&#8217;s interior illuminated by sunlight streaming through the multi-storey glass façade. Inside, university-style lecture theatres were equipped with computers and surprisingly comfortable chairs and we were told to relax, enjoy the complimentary Internet and await the ceremony. <br><br>I ventured out onto the grounds, where near the ...

... Hampi and we weren't even off the bus before we were being pestered by an auto driver. He was shouting at me through the window. Jo told him to leave in a way that didn't leave any doubt in his mind, neither of us were in the mood for pestering. We sat down and had a chai which made everything seem nicer. We then went to the famous Mango Tree restaurant and as soon as we sat down on the mats and looked out over the river we knew we had made the ...

Again, we got off the train and me with one good eye sleepily searched for another cheap hotel. It took 3 tries for a rickshaw driver to take us to one in our price range, but the guys working here are really friendly. We went doctor hunting on Friday (through some really plush suburbs) and I ordered some cheap contacts at the eye-doctor who managed to help make my eyelid back to normal, too. The next day, we just wandered ...

... us know how you would describe it! <br> <br>Sunday bought more emotion as the venturers packed their bags and prepared for life after Raleigh. The 8 host country venturers were the first to wave goodbye and there were many tears as Guna spoke to the entire cohort, saying just how much he had gained from being part of Raleigh India. <br> <br>And before we knew it, it was time for everyone else to board the bus to Mysore or Bangalore in a ceremony that had a touch of ...

... my hand and not lose it. But carrying things in my hand is dangerous. Certainly putting anything down on a counter (or on the taxi seat - a previous lesson) and not firmly back into my backpack is no good. Luckily, I found a used S. India guidebook for only $5! Otherwise, it could have been a $20-$30 lesson.<br><br>Mysore was beautiful and had some good hotels, restaurants and markets. But I must hurry along to see more of S. India.<br>

... as every street seems to be connected with everything else, try that in Old Delhi and you will find yourself in a back alley that seems to have no way in or out, asking yourself "How did I even get in here?" and facing several men who will take your kidneys out and leave you in a bath of ice before you can say "Black Market". Wanted to get straight out there into the awaiting complexities and rickshaw hassle, so hot footed down to Devaraja Market, which ...

... over here and can be used to dye clothes, stain the skin for the day or use as ink. I had a pink flower painted on my hand and stayed there for 24 hours - perhaps something that the Brownies would be able to play with... or perhaps could be a little dangerous since it also dies clothes! Mysore seemed really hectic in comparison the sleepy Hampi and this is where I had a lot of ...

Srrangapatnam is a fort town that was used as a headquarters by the leader Tipu Sultan, and is now a fort town featuring the spot where he was killed. Apparently, it 'makes a fascinating day trip from Mysore' (my footprint guidebook!) so thats exactly what i decided to do. First place didn't start out too well, as they have slapped a 100Rs entrance fee for foreigners on the summer palace in a typically Indian money grabbing way. Footprint ...

From the beginning I was told that I'd be in India for 6 to 8 months, so I figured I'd be away for Christmas and New Years. I planned to go to Thailand with a bunch of people for about two weeks, but the same week I bought my plane tickets, I found out that they were letting us go home early. I cancelled my tickets and was home for Christmas. On my plane ride from ...

... that is) they always mentioned the Brindavan Gardens. Since Southern India is so beautiful to begin with, I had high hopes for the gardens. We started with the bird sanctuary, where there actually weren't that many birds. We went straight to the boats and got in for our tour. Our guide showed us plenty of birds and bats, but really we were just there for the crocs. And we got close too!! The most ...