Nandi Hills Part 1

This in some ways was a landmark weekend away for us. It marked our "3 month" anniversary - we left the US on 19th November and I see this as a turning point. Now we have our heads above water, we have a good idea of what life will be like for the next couple of years but also how fast the time may fly by and how much we want to do. I could spend a long time reflecting on the last few months in their totality but for now the Nandi Hills.  Situated about 60km from Bangalore one of Tipu Sultan's forts perched on top of a hill - Nandi Hills. On the drive Karthik told us that this was place for lovers and students which along with hundred's of monkeys seemed to be the case!

The fort is in ruins but some of the temples remain. Wills is in the doorway of the  Brahmashram Temple, built into the rock for meditation and here we all are looking suitable calm!

The British built a guest house up here (to escape the summer heat) which was in use from the 1830's. It is now used as a guest house.

The gardens are still up kept. The guy showing us around (official job - "keep the monkey's off the cars" for which he had a long stick - but showing foreigeners round for tips was his lucrative sideline!) insisted on taking lots of posed family pictures of us - but this was the only one in focus.

There is a huge rock ledge to the side of the hilltop, on which perched several small temples like the one below. Unfortunately the day was overcast and hence my pics of the view are just varying shades of gray.

Adam was once again required as a model by these young turks. They also wanted me to pose with them - which would have been a compliment if the request had not been to "aunty". Where have the years gone - these young men are nearer Adam's age than mine!!