Due to the Indian summer holidays, everywhere is experiencing its peak season and the weekends can get ridiculous. Mysore is no exception with the Illumination of the palace attracting many visitors for that hour on Sunday. Inside the palace is very grand and a great reason to visit to escape the heat!

I made the pilgrimage to the Chamundi Hill walking up all 1101 steps in my lunghi! I was taught by the shop owner and one of the locals on how to wear it. They local gave me a practical lesson, flashing his duds in front of me and the group of men that had gathered! They were all impressed with what I had been taught, giving me confidence to where it!

I had to repack my bag examining the damage the rat had caused. My camera charging cable is destroyed! It nibbled at my trousers, my shirt, munched its way through my journal, plastic bags and emptied my travel wash! I was a little suprised to see the brown rat shuffling inside in the morning!

Still sampling the south Indian foods for breakfast and thalis served on banana leaves. I did end up splashing out on a meal in a 5 star hotel which was recommended in the guide book. I also got a sneek peek at the rooms fit for a king.

My next destination is the cooler climate of the hill station of Ooty, which is another popular destination for the Indian tourists.