Blogs from Karnataka, India, Asia - page 145

From Diu to Mumbai to Goa to Karnataka, that has been the story of my past few weeks. I worked some sweet dance moves as an extra in a Bollywood movie (for 14 hours!), I experienced the roughly tantalizing effects of a 'famous' head massage on Chowpatty beach in Mumbai, and have been working on doing some uber-relaxation at some Indian beaches. Unfortunately, the weather hasn't exactly been cooperating: the relaxation part is working out but it's been pretty tough to stay dry. A couple of days ago I moved from the idyllic but Westernized Palolem Beach into the small town of Gokarna in Karnataka. I've been traveling with a few new 'mates', a couple of Aussies and Kiwis. And a couple of days ago we decided we'd had enough of Palolem. So we hopped a ... read more

So, we are safely ensconced in our new apartment -that came with a service person, who we kindly asked to not work 16 hour shifts, and who is now outside our front door cleaning everything outside. I don't think he feels its ok to leave. There's only two of us we dont need all this service -he also sleeps on the kitchen floor! I agreed to abide by all these different traditions, -not using your left hand to handle food or anything clean, not showing the soles of my feet, covering my legs and arms, not being loud about really liking steak!! But there are some things here that are just so different -I feel like I'm in some slap stick comedy at the best of times! I made him a cup of coffee too ( ... read more

Hunt for the elusive black morph Jumping Ant started off where I had seen it last time, a good 4 years back, in the valley of Evergreen forests in a village called Sullali, some 2 hours away from Sagar, Shimoga. We measure distance there by the time taken to travel rather than actual meters itself. Reached Sagar early in the morning with a bad tummy (groan...) and had the best food one can with a bad tummy, idli, vada, sambhar..yumm.. It was heavenly to get back to paying 5 Rs for a plate, compared to exhorbant prices in Bangalore. With still 3 hours to kill before catching the first bus to get to Sulalli, I walked down on those familiar streets in the early hours of the morning. The familiar shops, the ice cream place, the ... read more

Apparently its "National Mess With Gringos Day" in India today. Ordering lunch today from canteen; Glenn: "One chicken sandwich" Canteen Guy: "Three sir." (holds up three fingers and starts punching it into the register.) (Glenn stands there scratching head incredulously.) Nic: (*Laughing*) (Glenn finally gathers himself) Glenn: "Um, nooo, not three. One sandwich" (Glenn holds up finger) Canteen Guy: "Ok sir". (Starts battling cash register to undo last action) Glenn: (...minutes later when battle finishes) "And two Sprites please". Canteen Guy: "Ok sir". (Punches more numbers into register. Receipt prints out. Hands it to Glenn) (Receipt is for 1 sandwich and THREE Sprites) Glenn: (Reading receipt and looking confused). "Umm" (pauses) "Nevermind". Nic: (*continues laughing*) Discussion ensues with Nic over lunch trying to understand what the hell just happened. No ... read more

perhaps, the truest of nature lies at the deepest of the jungles. and this very thought drove us to the bandipur forest; we started from bangalore at the wee hours of morning. after driving 230 kms, (taking a single stop at maddur for breakfast) we reached our destination, bandipur. located at the foothills of mysore-ooty highway, the place is a beauty with lush green and that drove us wild. from badipur we drove another few kilometers to our cottage, 'tiger ranch'. this private cottage is at the heart of deep forest. with about 8 private huts, the cottage provides you with an amazing experience of staying deep inside the forest. the hut we took was furnished with 5 beds, a not so clean toilet and wooden hammocks. the food was gr8. and you'd get enuff drink(very ... read more