A weekend in Bangalore was just what the doctor ordered. I mean, it had that effect on my health. I am not sure if the fact that the reason for the trip was rounded up with perfection, or the fact that the cool weather in Bangalore brought in the soothing effect that my soul was looking forward to. I somehow I am more refreshed and at peace than I was ever before. Over the past 6 days, I have touched my laptop just once for around 5 minutes. It is by far the longest I have stayed away from my sweetheart. (Ahem, I mean my laptop). 
After wrapping our work there, we had a full 12 hours before our flight back to Dubai. So we used it wisely. We did the most brilliant thing. I asked the driver of the rented taxi about the places worth visiting in the near vicinity. I had already told him that I wanted to visit the ISKCON temple. So it was decided that we would visit the Bannerghetta National Park in the afternoon and then proceed to the temple in the evening.
Since I had no time to research anything regarding the Park, whatever was waiting for us at the National Park was a surprise. And it turned out to be a pleasant one indeed. This is the third safari I have been to in India. During the other trips, I had the opportunity only to see some deers and peacocks (aka a total waste). The ones in Thekkadi and Ooty were in Jeeps. This was in a bus, with proper grills. In many ways it reminded me of the Night Safari in Singapore. In fact , I think these animals were a lot closer to us in comparison.
The way the animals were resting on the road side as if ready to welcome us was amazing. They must be used to bus by now, as none of them looked suspicious or harassed about our presence there. The photography from the bus was a tricky issue. The grills on the outside of the bus prevented easy shots. Thankfully I had taken my point and shoot camera instead of the DSLR. In a packed bus, standing up to take a pic was also not a possibility for me. So the animals that we saw on the other side of the road could not be photographed either.
Every zoo experience, leaves me with the guilt of watching animals in captivity. But somehow , the dense forest that these animals are sheltered in really made it look as though they were quite at home there. The entrance to each part of the park is well guarded with two gigantic gates each. We enter through one gate which closes behind us, before the next one opens to let us enter that part of the park. It was something new for me. I only wish I could photograph them. Not an easy tasking when riding in a bus with grills and on kachcha roads.
The other thing about the trip was that, it was the first time the hus and I were alone on a trip to a Tourist Spot. And it dawned on me that this is what trips will be like once the kids fly the coop. Suddenly the joy turns into a lump in the throat.
Photography is not allowed inside ISKCON. Click here for some pictures of the animals.
