BACK TO BANGALORE! (FEB. 13TH - 16TH... ) THE AMAZING LALBAGH BOTANICAL GARDEN AND OTHER ADVENTURES!

 My second trip back to this city was also enjoyable, and afforded me a good chance to rest, stay in more comfortable accommodations (my own flat, including a kitchen), and visit the famous Lalbagh Botanical Gardens, which are extensive and gorgeous. After catching up on sleep and cleanliness, I felt refreshed enough to rejoin the group. They themselves came to Bangalore for only a day--so I did some quick touring with them-- before they went on to another city. I then met up with them again a couple days later. (More about that in the  next blog...)


Truly the best of Bangalore, from what I saw... the expansiveness and exquisite landscaping here made a few return trips most desireable! 
  



What would ANY garden be without its requisite monkeys? And a VERY pregnant one, at that!! 








These were wild, and SO creative: planters pouring out streams of vines! Loved it!!!



Another fave... love those peacocks, in all their varieties! 




The following day, the group arrived from Hampi, and I met up with them for a rapid temple tour in Bangalore. Here, in front of one of them, Swami holds a gigantic watermelon he purchased! Must have weighed 30 pounds!!!



The largest "Nandi" (cow) god, surely anywhere in India!!! 





breaking bread--nay, chapatis!-- together at a local restaurant...


Unusual cone configuration for my delicious dosa! (traditional south Indian dish...) 

Our delightfully eccentric Swami eats with two spoons!!!! That's a first for me.. 

A crazy scene in the Botanical gardens: after our classic hatha yoga session together, Swami has us walking and quacking like ducks! No end to his surprises!!


Yours truly with a lovely woman who took it upon herself to befriend me and guide me to where I met my touring friends...it is a HUGE park and so easy to get lost in it!!!

Wandering the streets near my guest house, I was impressed by this gigantic Hanuman in front of his temple... 

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