How to spend 24hrs in Bengaluru
It’s not everyday you’d take a 12 hour flight to spend just a pinch over 24 hours in another country - but I decided to put my stamina to the test.
It’s not everyday you’d take a 12 hour flight to spend just a pinch over 24 hours in another country.
Well, in the name of work, I decided to put my stamina to the test.
Travelling on a new direct Qantas route from Sydney to Bengaluru, India – I settled into my seat and arrived in the bustling city around 12 hours later.
Qantas’ new route to Bengaluru
I’d resigned myself to a lifetime of economy class travel, but today was faced with the glorious prospect of a 12 hour flight in business class.
I won’t lie, it was every bit as good as you’d imagine – champagne on arrival, three course meals selected from a menu, and laying horizontally while sleeping – it’s the simple things in life.
First visit to India
Often referred to as the ‘Silicon Valley’ of India, Bengaluru is a bustling city populated by 11 million people – and as a first-time traveller to India I wasn’t quite sure what to expect.
It’s around 6pm when I arrive into Bengaluru and as soon as we exit the airport doors, I’m met with a symphony of cars honking their horns ahead of the 90-odd minute drive into the city.
With this trip being my first post Covid overseas adventure I’ve never been more happy to sit in bumper-to-bumper traffic and watch the world go by.
Exploring Bengaluru
First stop of the day was at the Lalbagh Botanical Garden – a lush, green oasis with a 200 year history in the middle of the city.
The traffic is intense; I’ve not had to think this hard about how to cross the road as a pedestrian. It was like learning how to do double dutch on two skipping ropes, waiting for the perfectly timed moment to slip through the traffic with ease.
Dine at Mavalli Tiffin Rooms
Opened in 1920, the family-run restaurant is one of Bengaluru’s most popular, with customers often faced with a long queue to get a table.
A great place to taste your way through Southern Indian curries and specialties like Masala Dosa – a rice-based pancake filled with spiced potatoes – and Rava Idli – a light and fluffy savoury semolina-based cake steamed with coriander, yoghurt and cashews.
Meet some locals
With a few free hours to fill before flying home, I decided to explore the neighbourhood near our hotel by foot.
After passing by local record store Ram’s Musique – that looked very much closed – a neighbouring store owner got in touch with owner K ‘Ram’ Ramachandran and he kindly arrived to open up the store for me to take a look around.
Full of stories (his daughter is a Bollywood star) and keen for a chat about all things music (in addition to the store he started in 1978, he runs a local music lesson academy and a recording studio) – I could have spent all afternoon chatting to Ram, who offered some recommendations on South Indian music selections.
Sydney to Bangalore on Qantas
Launched in September, the new route gives Australian travellers the first opportunity to fly direct from Sydney to Southern India.
Flights between Sydney and Bengaluru start from $1,320 in economy for a return trip.
The writer travelled as a guest on Qantas’ inaugural flight from Sydney to Bengaluru.
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