An Indian Summer: Part 2 of 2

Not completely accurate since November is technically autumn but anywere where temperatures are in double digits (especially down south where we're talking 30s) is summer in my book. Indeed, those temperatures would warrant a declaration of a heat wave in Paris.

After New Delhi, and despite the Mumbai terror attacks which affected everyone throughout the country, we head south for some R&R. First stop Goa. Beautiful beaches that don't end anywhere near your field of vision. Kilometres of peaceful sand. Perfect waves. Each one. For a country not completely devoted to the ocean and water sports, these beaches are an ironic asset.

We stayed at a small hotel right on the water - unfortunately, some of my photos were lost during a technical glitch with my PC (I am sure its my fault but I prefer to blame the inanimate) so I only have a few. We also hired a scooter and scooted up and down the coast over a couple of days - fantastic way to see the coast. Here's our beach!

Mel is showing off her riding skills - on video!

Next stop, Bangalore, where I visited my cousins and took a five hour bus trip to see incredible temples from the 12th century. The quality of carvings is simply incredible and the fact that they have lasted until now is unbelievable.

We also did a walking tour of Bangalore with a walking tour group. Although not particularly famous as a tourist destination, Bangalore is the home to many interesting facts:

1. The King of Mysore (where Bangalore is located) was the last to give up power to the English during their expansion through India. In 1799 Napolean was on his way to help defeat the English, had he not been stopped and defeated in the battle of the Nile in Egypt. In other words parts of India could easily have been French. Given the size of the French army on its way, all of it could have been!

2. Bangalore received India's first power station and town electricity thanks to a commercial venture to mine gold. The first building in India to have electricity is a Church located across the street from the first power distributor.

3. Churchill was a soldier stationed in Bangalore.

It was a fascinating tour and makes you realise that every place has a story - it just needs to be discovered and told. Unfortunately, all my family photos of Bangalore are gone. Suffice to say we had lots of fun BBQing, wandering through national parks (my cousin got interviewed by a new newspaper about her view on security in parks - it was practically non-existent) and eating incredibly delicious South Indian cuisine. Someone may have even managed to fit in some wedding dress shopping at literally the last minute!