09 May 2010 : Hyderabad Day 2

So after getting cheated with the driver, we decided to go around ourselves. Its a lesson we have learnt over time - if we really want to go around we should just take the tuktuk (although they also end up cheating....*ponders*). Since we didnt really get to check out the bazaar yesterday, we headed in that direction, also so that we could take a few pictures of the Chaminder. All in good timing. Sunday was just another way of saying that the place is going to be packed to the brim. Anyways it was still fun to go take pictures...expect when people start coming up to you asking for an exorbitant price - and trust me, they cant take rejections, they follow you till you literally shout at them saying I DONT WANT IT! Haha i had to do that quite few times cause they would follow 'buy sir buy mdm'... Well i shouldnt complain too much now :)

Check out the dangerously hanging wires... :O

After a long walk in the hot sun and tonnes of pictures from the bazaar, we took the tuktuk downtown to have some real Andra food - spicy! But given the lack of aircon i was sweating while having lunch - ulækkert! :S Since we only had about 5 hours more in hyderabad, we decided to go somewhere abit near our hotel - Public Gardens. It was extremely hot given that it was 4pm, but we managed to find a spot under the shade to sit and relax abit.

Public Gardens

08 May 2010 : Hyderabad Day 1

After being in Bangalore for almost two months we have finally started travelling - f**k the horrid weather. Our first destination on 'exploration India' (haha) was Hyderabad. Our plane ride took us 30 mins while the drive from the airport to the hotel took about 45 mins. We drove on one of the longest highways - 11 km long. We hired a driver & car so that we could go around with ease to many places. Our deal was to pay 1400rupees for 8 hours, and 10rupees per km after 8 hours. We drove past the chaminder, went to the Chowmalia Palace, drove past by Lazar Bazaar and lastly went to the Golconda Fort. All this with high humidity and a temperature of 42 deg.

We had to climb quite a number of steps to reach the top of the Fort in the heat. We were really sweating ourselves away.... But once up there the sight was quite nice.¨ However when we went back to the hotel around 1600hrs he demanded us to pay 1500 rupees instead - all in all highly annoying experience! GAH!

Chowmalia Palace..

Golkonda Fort

I dont understand why people here dont look after their historical sites. Everything has to be written on. It spoils the special value. And why is nothing done to prevent this - fines for example (coming from a 'fine' city myself ;))

View from the top of Golkonda Fort :)

Star for the day!

Day 2 : Nandi Hills

Today was really nice - woke up to watch the sun rise (whích was really special) and then we climbed all the way up to Nandi hills from Silver Oak Farm. The amount of steps is 1175, and that is just one way up. We went both ways, so by the time we walked down for lunch, my legs were highly tired and i had a sore throat coming on because of the heat. The walk up was quite scenic with the clear blue skies and greenery surrounding us. It was also really nice to have the fresh light scent of eucalyptus trees. On thw whole i would say it was really fun even though it was a loooong - almost neverending, walk up. Well dont just read, go on look at the pictures ;)

We got up early to catch the sun rise. It was really calming and hyggeligt :)

The people here are notoriously 'famous' for following rules. Tell them to do A they do the exact opposite! ;)

May 2010 : Hilly Nandi Hills :) Day 1

Our start to May 2010 was with a nice needed weekend to Nandi Hills. We stayed at a nice place called Silver Oak Farm which is owned by Praveen & Meera Khanna. They also have a well bred german shepards which are really cute and love getting their heads scratched. They are siblings - Micki & Minni :) There are two other dogs - one is a cute white dog which will actually be your tour guide if you decide to take a walk up the steps to Nandi hills, and the other one is a brown shy dog which can be spotted at the top of the roof. Dejligt! But it was a really nice and cosy place - our room was facing the front of 3 big hills. Opening our door every time was just fantastic. I cant wait to go to the alps now ;) Food is taken care by Meera, and trust me when i say the food is absolutely tasty. Home cooked food. Nothing beats that! After having such delish food by Meera, the bar has been moved up really high that we were terribly upset by our breakfast buffet in hyderabad.... But anyways, i think its time to see pictures instead of my yakking ;)

Janus managed to try his hand at clay pottery. :)

Silver Oak Farm...

An evening stroll - not all the way up to Nandi hills---

More to come..........