From Cochin, we took an overnight train to Bangalore, then a 3 hour bus ride to Mysore.

The main highlight of Mysore is the Maharaja's Palace. This is a stunning palace and is still lived in by the current Maharaja. Being a little bit palaced out, I abstained from going in the Palace and enjoyed the beauty from outside.

And so, instead, I and my friend, Laura, went up Chamundi Hill to Sri Chamundesawari Temple to watch the sun set. At 1062 metres high, the views of the area were stunning. Pilgrims are supposed to climb the 1000 plus steps to the top but as I am not that religious, a tuk tuk did the climbing for us! I'm glad we did for on the way down, the foolish tuk tuk driver allowed us to take turns in driving it. Wisely, he kept control of the brakes so as we hurtled down hill around corners he could still maintain some form of safety. It was a wicked experience and I think that UK is in desperate need of some tuk tuks.

Coming down the hill we passed a 5 metre high Nandi (Shiva's bull vehicle) that was carved out of solid rock in 1659. It is covered in flacky black coating of coconut-husked charcoal mixed with ghee. The bull has a very serene look about it, bringing calm to those who visit (especially needed for our tuk tuk driver!)