It’s been another long drive today, about 300km, from Bangaluru to Mysore then onto Wellington near Ooty where we’re staying tonight. I’ll be honest, I snoozed for most of the first half (which is no bad thing given the kamakazi drivers!). I’m glad I wasn’t asleep for the second half. 

After we’d left Mysore the landscape was full of palm trees – as far as the eye could see, then plantain trees. We began to climb into the Nilgiri Hills – and climb we did! I’m glad Vaishakh was driving as the road was narrow and so many sharp turns. I saw a sign that said 6 out of 39 hairpin bends! The view of the mountain range was spectacular.

About half way up our climb we entered the Bandipur Tiger Reserve and then the Mudumali Tiger Reserve. No tigers for us today – we wouldn’t expect to see them so close to the road. We were still treated to a wonderful range of wildlife. There were deer – lots of them, monkeys – lots of those too, wild peacocks strutting their stuff, wild boar, a bison  and most wonderful of all several elephants including the most beautiful baby elephant. All viewed from the car window! This was certainly a drive to remember.