Bangalore, Gateway to an Indian Odyssey

Our emotions were filled of excitement, fear and worry as we waited for our boarding announcement.

After an hour and a half of bus travel, the bus dropped us at the unlit road of KH Circle. We were advised to walk further to reach our destination.

We don’t have any map with us aside from the screenshot of the streets surrounding Minerva Circle that I had in my phone. After walking for about 10 minutes we suddenly got lost (couldn’t figure out which street to take) so we have just decided to take an auto rickshaw.

We were asked to pay for about Rs 100… we didn’t bargain with the driver anymore as long as he could be able to bring us to our hotel.

We reached our hotel in a short ride. 

We were about to check in when we were asked what is me and my buddy’s relationship, I answered that we’re friends. With that, we were declined to check in as they are not allowing opposite sex to check in to their hotel unless married. The news shocked us. Tired and exhausted… we didn’t know where to go if the hotel couldn’t able to accommodate us. The hotel then advised us to check in somewhere else. But they didn’t neglect us, one of the staff accompanied us to a hotel across the street which allows everyone to check in, Hotel Nandhini.

It was a lesson learned. I even asked Paula if the same thing applies to our next pre-booked accommodations, we have to pretend that we’re a couple. So now before booking a hotel, find out first if they accommodate friends of opposite sex.

We had a deluxe room for double occupancy that costs Rs 1,600.

Feeling tired, lazy and all… we had just stayed in our room and eaten some of the snacks that I brought to be our dinner. 

We woke up at around 7:00 AM and had our breakfast. The hotel provides complimentary breakfast.

The manager was too kind and hospitable to let us be known with what was being served in the breakfast buffet. Because I was still unprepared to feel something odd in my stomach, I had eaten only those that looks familiar and appetising.

Here’s to my first breakfast meal in India.

After our breakfast, we asked the manager if we have to check out already since we will be touring around the city and we might go back from the tour late already. Then we were told that we can stay until late evening because the hotel stay is 24 hours from the time of check in. Well, a good news as we can still rest after our day tour around Bangalore.

Lalbagh Botanical Gardens

We went out from our hotel and walked through Lalbagh Fort Road to reach the main entrance of the famous botanical garden. The morning breeze was so cold. We never thought that this part of the country could bring such cold breeze. What also brought amusement to us is walking through the street and seeing the locals do their daily routines. We reached the incredible country 12 hours ago already but the feeling of being here and actually seeing more of the country was still surreal.

It took us 10 minutes walk to finally reach our first destination of the day. We then went to the counter and paid Rs 10 each for our entrance fee.

Labagh Garden means ‘The Red Garden’ in English. It is a well known botanical garden in Bangalore, India which has a size of 240-acre. The garden houses the country’s largest collection of tropical plan and holds a number of flower shows especially on the Republic Day. 

One of the important landmarks in India that can also be found inside the botanical garden is the Peninsular Gneiss. It is a term coined to highlight the older gneissic complex of the metamorphic found all over the Indian Peninsula.

The botanical garden also has an aquarium and a lake which is one of the main tourists spots in Bangalore.

Animals like monkeys and squirrels are scattered inside the botanical gardens as well. But don’t worry, they’re harmless as long as you don’t bother them.

The garden also has a glass house which hosts an annual flower show.

Bulk of local tourists starting to come in during lunchtime.

We left the garden at around 11:00 AM and proceeded to the public bus terminal where ticketing agencies are around to buy our bus ticket to Goa.

Big Bull Temple

Situated at Bull Temple Road, Basavangudi, we rode an auto rickshaw to get to the Big Bull Temple. Travel time took us 15 minutes to reach our destination.

A wedding was happening when we visited the church. It was such a nice experience to witness a church wedding in India.

Cubbon Park

We rode an auto rickshaw and went to Cubbon Park. 

Cubbon Park is located within the heart of the city in the Central Administrative Area. It has a size of over 300 acres. The park was created in 1884 by Major General Richard Sankey.