Day 22 - Arriving there early (but late) at 6am into Hyderabad we made it to Hotel Geetanjali (A Home Away From Home) to our surprise we found a clean, bug free room. After a quick nap we went to a quick nearby only open cafe and had Dosa and our first Idli (rice cake). We walked through Hyderabad to the State Health Museum where we learnt about every possible contagious disease from 1950's style wax models and diagrams (Kishor - I'm questioning the quality of your town's science knowledge!). A short walk over to the State Museum and we found ourselves with an Egyptian Mummy and large bronze statues. Before a lunch of noodles and questionable drinks we enjoyed our first police escort to cross a road. We were highly envious when we passed a hotel built like a castle (complete with windmill) on our way to the Hussain Sagar Lake via NTR Gardens. After quite a hot walk we made it to Eat Street with hopes of catching a boat to the Buddha Statue. Sadly collapsed boat pier, broken boat and start of monsoon rains shattered our dreams, instead we had fruit shakes and cake to share while looking at the statue from afar. At the Birla Temple our feet got soaked but we loved the views out over Hyderabad. We liked the art work in the Modern Art Gallery despite the staff telling us how to go around the gallery. Next was the AMAZING Science Museum, highlights were the dinosaurium (with one dinosaur), many many broken experiments and Catherine almost flat on her face after being on a spiny chair expertly demonstrated for us. Luckily we made it to the Planetarium's 6pm showing where we learnt, in our time machine, about India's great space developments, how the moon landing was real and how the moon will soon be used as a launch pad for outer-space living. With monsoon striking again we caught a rickshaw back to Abids for dinner.

Day 23 - This morning Catherine was thrilled to find we had hot water for showers, though not thrilled at possible bed bugs! After locating somewhere open before 11am we had breakfast before walking south across the river where we spent hours at the Salar Jung Museum with its musical clock, random children's toys and Olivia's favourite the veiled Rebecca - as well as the real life Mona Lisa; though we were disappointed to find many rooms closed, but the elephant topiary made up for this. By now the streets were packed and we found ourselves declining everything from horrible kids outfits to cotton wool earbuds. Luckily we spotted the large Charminar where Olivia braved the spiral staircase for great views of the busy streets below, and of Catherine. Back in Abids Catherine happened to notice Icy Spicy which on further investigation provided excellent chocolate sundaes.

Day 24 - Due to Hyderabad shutting on Fridays we rickshawed out to Golconda Fort where we explored the ruins and slowly climbed (120m) to the temple and mosque, only getting told off once on the way. The site was amazing, if a little bizarre, as the sky was filled with dragon flies. Back at the bottom we relished our raspberry and mango ice creams before setting off for the Qutb Shahi Tombs were we missed out on a bargain Rs. 500 six year old tour guide. Back at the Hussain Sagar Lake we discovered it was possible to visit the Buddha Statue and Olivia braved the five minute boat trip to the Buddha (the largest in India!) Back safely on dry land, after a lengthy power-cut causing a very dark rest in Subway, a McDonald's veg pizza puff left Catherine severely burnt (the size of a freckle!) and lawsuits will be pending against both McDonalds and Hawa Mahal. That evening we discovered Swiss Castle bakery and shared a large slice of chocolate strawberry cake. We located an excellent internet cafe, though despite their best haggling we declined to buy a 7day internet package and rapidly left.

Day 25 - After being kept awake by a man in a towel smoking a cigar and loitering loudly in the hallway we were thrilled with our early wake up call saying we were an hour and a half late checking out. With severe reminders over the next 10 minutes from staff we quickly packed up and found a cheap breakfast of donuts (samoasas) and pineapple cream cake. Despite the language barrier we arrived by rickshaw (mini taxi / 4 in all) at Phisalbanda where two charming policemen helped Olivia cross the road and showed us all the way past the chickens and goats to the remote Paigah Tombs and even got the doors open for us. The family that lived there showed us round the intricately carved vast number of tombs, we felt honoured to be the first visitors in four days. As our police friends said goodbye we were taught about the flora (pretty white flowers) and fauna (decaying cat) at the site. Back in the centre, Chowmahalla Palace was exceptional with its elaborate rooms and detailed history with an interesting car collection. While being offered to loan / buy a burkha we snuck a picture of the Mecca Masjid, one of the world's largest mosques. Next we walked by the river to see the General Hospital, massive High Court and City College, disrupted only briefly by a bird incident for Olivia. After a leisurely afternoon involving lots of food, as usual!, we headed for the train and even managed to locate the internet in a dark first floor junk room. Before we knew it we were on our way to Chennai. Despite the bizarre opening hours, Hyderabad's friendly business made us enjoy our time there and we especially lied the quiet of the lake and the stunning views from the hilltop over the city.