Hello people, Well skip's arrival has brought an end to my month of detox and frankly since she arrived lives a lot busier- thank god! Have enjoyed the last month immensily but glad to be a little less quiet. So from now on joint contribution... Tuesday night. From last journal update. Had massive shopping expedition in old school area of bangalore, bantering and haggling with locals and generally doing pretty dam well. Then went to find restaurant on top of shopping mall. On thirteenth floor, having breif wait inside you stunning seats of bar stools over looking the whole of bangalore by night. Good beer and cocktails and various tandoori veggie titbits. The view was just stunning with lovely cool (relatively clean) air and very funny conversation with tommy from pheonix who was sssoooo american. Wednesday. Luckily had doc with me on clinic to double check prescriptions but had brilliant morning. Clinic in middle of nowhere at new airport terminal a little overwhelming and made my first diagnosis of leprosy, which was very sad. Then skips provided a definate evening of light relief Went to amazing meal in traditional restaurant called aramanti for the usual 1.20 each (ridiculous) then thought we'd sample more of bangalore night life. Firstly undergropund bar called bunker provided yet more 80's-90's rock accompanied by UV lighting. Skips managed to order yet another dodgy drink this time she got lime cordial and peach snapps but plus a bottle of 7up recovered mixing her own cocktails We then ventured to find one of bangalores few nightclubs... Spinn. This turned out to be pouncy, tastefully decorated (inc shower curtains) club full of bangalores beauts. Very excited end to night when everyone was told to leave as the police had arrived. Exited past the guys dressed as fireman (strippers?!?) and into a mob of tuck tuck men. All trying to get us to pay extortionant prices for ride home. Enter our knight in shining armour... (van fair) Vikrum the fashion designer!! Who jumps out of his car and starts bargaining with the tuck tuck men for us. Suddenly theres this stampede of tuck tucks and the alarming sound of whipping, this turns out to be the police whipping the tucktucks with big sticks. Vikrum ushes us to the side of the road, with an offer of a lift home in his blacked out garlanded car- politely answered no way mate and after promising to attend his fashion show at i-bar (so not sure he was a fashion designer, the tie-dyed top with matching hairband was a big give away) we jumped in a tucktuck firmly stating no more than double the metre. Thursday. Sucessfully got train to Mysore sitting opposite lovely family. Little awkward when playing s***head and asked name of the game, but shared guarva over rummy and had lovely trip. Found reasonabley nice hotel in Mysore right next to palace. Had an average meal at a place called RRR, then found a fantastic bar called Parklane (very swanky name) where they had a live classical Indian Duo playing a Tabla nd clarinet. Cocktails were amazing, so we left the bar very very giggly, and Waffy neally posted the room key in the suggestion box- oops! Needless to say next morning was a struggle to get out of bed! Friday. Went to palace art gallery, where we got as much attension as the artwork- still very bizarre! Beautiful paintings and nice to chill. Then we found our home... turns out we were indian princesses in a past life. We fel;t right at home ambling round the marahraja's palace ontop of the elephant Pretti. The palace was stunning and hoep pics come out well. Had a night time trip up Chamudi hill (the 8th most sacred hill in India by the way) and walked around the temple there. Some kid tried to get a load of money out of us for showing us around and getting us a 'blessing'. We only parted with about RPS40 in the end, and left with cool bindi third eye stylee red and yellow dots. Finished off the night back at Parklane- best meal yet! Which brings us to today. Spent morning back at Chamundi hill withthe most stunning views. over 3000ft and only hill around! Had trek down the side of 1000plus steps and passing a big black granite bull- plus crazy lady with indian tourettes. Beautiful walk and left us a wee bit warm. So now going for well earned lunch and wander round market (more shopping!!) Will update soon, now over exclusively to skippy for... Skippy's random fact of the day In the Maharaja's Palace (which was rebuilt around 1912 following a fire) The tiles on the floor were impoted from England, from a company called Maw and co. and the famous stained glass celing was actually made in Glasgow! Fascinating.....