Bangalore was awesome. I also took a much-needed detox from the Internet this weekend which explains why I’ve been MIA but I’m back, with pictures! First up the ride to the Mumbai airport from Bandra on Friday was almost a major blog score because we heard a giant CRV honking behind us and saw Salman Khan in the passenger seat. Long hair, window-down, scowling cool-ly and smoking a cigarette. Unfortunately I only managed to get a shot of his knee (but hey I tried!)
So here’s a fast track through my weekend in Bangalore; first up let me just say that Bangalore’s 25 degrees and 57% humidity knocks the pants off Mumbai’s 36 degrees and 94% humidity. (Thank God it was raining when we got back!)
After several recommendations we decided to go for the centrally located Shilton Suites (look for the pink feather!) tip # 1 is that Bangalore traffic makes Mumbai traffic feel like a breeze so unless you like long, and I mean LONG rides pick a central location. Anything near MG Road works. The Shilton is cute, the Luxury Suites cost about 4500rs ($93) a night and the staff is mostly smiling and at your service (they have a little trouble getting two of everything right at breakfast though but I suppose no biggie.)
On Friday we decided to head out and try the famed Japanese restaurant called Harima (Devtha Plaza.) Absolutely delicious food. It may have helped significantly that we had an authentic Japanese guy at the table who did all the ordering for us! (FYI Soto is my boyfriend’s classmate at Harvard Business School and in Bangalore for the summer, so if you’re up for being a happy shiny tourist guide lemme know.)
Then we headed down the street to Nyx (Residency Road, opposite Purple Haze, above Konark restaurant) where Radio One Desi Grooves was on. Only the hottest Bollywood night in the city that rocks Bangalore every Friday! RJ Anjaan (from94.3 Radio One Bangalore) was up on deck with DJ Jasmeet and gave me a big fat friendly Bangalore welcome which made me feel like a total superstar. (Thanks for that Anjaan!) Sadly Bangalore wraps by 11:30pm tops and unless you find yourself an after-party to attend its generally lights out, quite a switch from an average weekend in Mumbai but still refreshing to see a whole new set of clubs and (I guess since they know the clock is ticking) they sure pack in the power on the dance floor!
That’s Anjaan’s gorgeous wife Amrita. Super-fun and friendly and can you believe neither of them drink but just love to dance?! Impressive. Oh, and if you’re wondering why Anjaan is hugging a Kuala Bear (yes a real one) it’s because he was recently in Australia and came this close to bagging “the best job in the world” as island caretaker, check out his application video I thought it was really neat. On the upside his current job is pretty much in the top 10 too in my opinion and I should know! Day two up next…