Trip report for Mysore
Day 1 - Reached Mysore train station and took a taxi to Windflower resort Mysore about 5 kms from Station.
Loved the resort and the 4 days stay there. Had breakfast at hotel restaurant and visited Mysore Palace. Took about 3 hrs
for both the Main palace and residential museum. Main palace was wonderful. Very well maintained and they can provide
a guide for 200Rs if required. Being a history buff, loved the place. Entry fee is like Rs20/-. So worth it as you are
transported to really another period. Residential museum was ok too. Did not do the elephant or camel ride offered there.
Spent the day at resort.
Day 2 - Booked an auto and visited Chamundi hills, Nandi hills and a Cave temple near Nandi hills. Had food at Dasaprakash (meals)
and went for Zoo tour. There was a 1 hr delay to get the van in zoo due to holiday season and crowd, so just decided to walk.
Zoo is really big, maintained quite well and got to see the giraffes, elephants, tiger, rhino, gorilla etc etc. If you go doing
normal times, stick to the van. But kids were fine and we enjoyed it. Back to resort and enjoyed the Xmas eve dinner at resort
complimentary. Windflower resort is really a nice place to unwind and relax.
Day 3 - Booked Innova at resort (Mr. Shafi @ 9845376686 - nice service). Went to Srirangapatna, Tipu sultan summer palace, The mausoleum
where he was cremated and the spot where he died. This palace had pictures of war depicted on walls and quite interesting.
After which we went to Ranganthittu Bird Sanctuary. Had lunch there and went boating at lake. For the kids it was highlight of the day
because they got to see 3 crocodiles quite close. While the boat whizzed by, one of the crocodiles moved and that was thrilling
enough. But I felt should an accident occur it would be a real tragedy. The Govt should really provide life jackets and life guards
to prevent mishaps. But a great place to visit. Lot of birds and a nice nature spot.
We wanted to visit the Balmuri falls but since it was getting late decided to skip it and proceeded to Brindavan gardens.
We reached by 5PM and relaxed there. We were glad we went early there because later the crowd was getting heavier. Better to visit place
on ordinary days. Enjoyed the gardens. Now there is a boat ride to travel to the place where the show takes place.
We can take a return trip by boat here. Watched the fountain show which was ok, not spectacular and took boat back to main spot and
back to Mysore for dinner
Day 4 - Got a drop off to Bandipur. We had booked 2 days at Ambuja farms at bandipur forest. If you want to do just the safari
the Govt trips are like Rs.95 per person. Ambuja farms have 4 rooms in a home and provide camp fire and home cooked meals.
Nice service and the house is like surrounded with trees and gives a jungle feel and in middle of nowhere. The property is fenced
and we saw spotted deer outside. No TV. I think a 1 night stay would have been ideal but since we had booked for 2 days we decided
to just enjoy the jungle.
Day 5 - Next day we went for afternoon Jungle safari. Though we did not see the elusive Tiger, we saw 4 elephants,
peacock, Samba deer, Spotted deer, Jungle fowl and that was exciting enough for kids. Spent the night at Ambuja and next day
started back to Mysore after breakfast.
Day 6 - Since the train was leaving at night, we decided to do more sightseeing at Mysore. Went to Art gallery and glad that we did not
give this a miss. I am surprised that this is not mentioned in most do to lists of Mysore. The Ravi Verma paintings and items
displayed at this Gallery was a hit with my kids. It was definitely worth it and I hope they maintain it like this in years to come.
Had our lunch at Ramanishree hotel where food was good though service was slow because of the crowd and started off to Karanji lake.
The lake was beautiful and the bird aviary was super. Butterfly park was nice but this was off season, so did not see butterflies.
Apparently October is the season for butterfly park. But lake area was huge, very neat, well maintained and nicely done.
Could not fault it. We then left to Cauvery main show room and got a couple of silk saris and mementos.
We then packed dinner and off to station. Train was right on time and kids fell fast asleep on the train.
We loved Mysore for its quaint old town feel charm, very laid back and relaxing trip.
