Early today the nightmare began. I woke early with Delhi Belly. The train toilets are a nightmare, but I had my own nightmare with Delhi belly which really shook me up. It was an Indian toilet, so of course you squat!! I found toilet paper in the first class toilet. It really bothered me, and I have never had such an experience before, and never wish it on anyone. Then, we got off the train, and I went to the Casa Meridian hotel, while the rest of the party had breakfast. A good shower, lots of sleep, electrolytes, stomach medication, and I started a slow recovery. At 12:30 PM, we went by van to CHAMUNDESHWARI Temple in Mysuru. It was right on the top of a high hill. It was a Sunday and the line up was 2 hours long, so we didn't get to go in. Then we went by van down the hill to the Bull statute which is the second largest bull statue in the world. Made from one block of granite, and it was painted black, and worshipped by the Hindus. We got into the van and stopped at a view point to see the city of Mysore below. Then we visited the beautiful palace called Lakshmi Vilas Palace in the Indo Saracenic style...one of the biggest palaces in India, built by the British architect, Henry Irwin, completed in 1912. I got separated from the group, as I didn't hear the instructions. Stressful, but found the group. We went in with the local guide, called Niagara. There were thousands of people looking at the Palace, and it was truly amazing, with wonderful pillars, peacock stained glass ceilings, Burma teak doors, very ornate. There were various halls, 3 dimensional paintings, jewellery boxes, presents from different kings from different places. There was a private hall, and a public hall. Lots of interesting features, the first electric lift in India. Lots of paintings on a grand scale. We saw the golden Howda, which was a gold plated seat for the king on the back of the elephants. After this we had free time, and went by tuk tuk to the Devraja Fruit and Vegetable market. This was very interesting. I encountered lots of interesting fruits, and vegetables, and perfumes that were in glass bottles, from watermelon perfume to various other exotic smells. They sold paints and fabric colourings too. Very interesting. Then we got the tuk tuts back to the Lakshmi Vilas Palace, and waited for 7 pm, when the entire complex was lit up for 30 minutes ( to save electricity ). Huge crowds to see it. Gasp from the crowds when it was lit up. The pics show how impressive it all was. Truly something to remember!! Again lots of selfies with Indians. I toured a Hindu temple which was at the Palace complex, and observed local Hindus worshipping. We took the van and went to dinner at the Green Hotel, which was an open air restaurant. The air was cool, and we had a good meal. My stomach by now had recovered!! I took my own tuk tuk to get back to the hotel early, and got an earlier night, ready for the next day!!!!!!!!
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