Places to Visit in Bangalore

Lalbagh Gardens

This garden has over 1800 species of trees, plants. It's spread over

Cubbon Park

Located at the heart of Bangalore, this wide open space also has The high court state library and a museum. The history of it goes to the rule of English. There are many statues such as Queen Victoria Statue, Major Gen.Sir Mark Cubbon, Rajya Dhurandhar, Sri. K. Sheshadri Iyer, and Sri Chamrajendra Wodeyar.

Bangalore Aquarium

It has wide collection of fresh water fishes.

Government Museum

Established in 1886, it has 18 galleries with large collection of Neolithic coins, antique jewellery, textiles, and miniature paintings.

Bangalore Palace

Build by the King of Mysore, Chamaraja Wodeyar, this place is unique. It's architecture represents Tudor style. It gives an English air to the place. Construction of this place is inspired by the Windsor Castle of England.

Venkatappa Art Gallery

Tipu's Summer Palace

Nandi Bull Temple

To know more about places to see in Bangalore, check this website.

Sunny's Bangalore

European Restaurant in Bangalore
Never been to this place, but heard lots of mixed reviews of this garden and bar restaurant. This Euro restaurant specializes in Italian food, complete with good ambiance. Specialties include, begian-beer, pastas, pizzas, almond crusted fish, tomato-mozzarella salad, tuna salad etc.

The interior of this uptown restaurant is smart with two levels, upstairs being a sort of a lounge-bar.

Directions to Sunny's Restaurant

No 34, Embassy Diamante, Vittal Mallya Road, Opposite Canara Bank, Vittal Mallya Road, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560001

Ph # 080 22243642

Check Sunny's website for menu

Buy Pure Sandal wood from Bangalore

Oh, the scent of Sandal wood!

Karnataka is synonym with the Sandal wood. Like Bollywood, Hollywood, "Sandalwood" is used as a metonymy of Kanada cinema industry. Apart from movie industry name, Karanataka is one of the largest producers of Sandal wood products, oil and paste in India.

Many tourists who come to Karnataka buy a small portion of Sandal wood that's believed to be scented by the Gods. In many Hindu rituals, sandal wood is extensively used ( idols, beads, paste), and Parsis make sacred fire with it.

But extensive use of sandalwood and high demand of sandalwood, has depleted this resources. Now as a result, many shops sell fake sandalwood in Karnataka and elsewhere in India. In Bangalore many shops still sell fake sandal wood to foreigners by luring them with scented wood as originals.

Where to buy pure sandal wood in Bangalore?

State run Cavery emporium centrally located at the heart of Bangalore sells pure sandwood blocks, oils, power and creams. Apart from it, Cavery has a shop at Jayanagar Complex. Cavery emporium has wide selection of Indian handicraft stuff made of sandal wood and other Indian hand made sovereign. You can also try "Mysore sandalwood store” near ISKON temple.

Sandalwood products you can buy from Cavery:

• Sandalwood Soap
• Sandal wood blocks
• Oils, powder pouches
• Sandal wood handicraft
• Fragrance sticks
• Key chains, pen etc

For more details call Cavery Emporium Ph #: 80 25582656/25580317/25581187

Words from many hearts!

Friendship Bangalore / friends online / find new friends Bangalore / meet new people Bangalore

Friendship - Friends Bangalore

Looking for a Friend ?/Meet Your Soul Mate/Looking for singles near you?/Looking for someone special?

Friendship Ads from Bangalore

• I want girl/women for friendship,plz contact as soon as poss - 29 years old
• want a honest friend = 40 years old
• Friendship (only malayalee) - 34 years old
• hi girls i am 27m , looking smart call me 9342760348
• looking for frnds from north n a gal frnd toooo - 20 years old
• Posted on 08/07/2010 in Friendship - Friends Bangaore › Karnataka 20 years old
• looking for girls with attitude

• Healthy Relationship..friendship..fun..24Male
• Need friends..No Dating NO Sex only friend...
• Looking 4 A Good Female Friend .27 Male here
• seekin friends 4 improving communnication [english fluency]

• looking for nice girl for GOA trip - 30 years old
• decent relationship only girls because iam male
• seekin girls... 20 years old

• any girls/mature 4 good friendship -25 years old
• Looking for singles near you? Sign up for free today.
• Find your soul mate here. Sign up for FREE today.
• Hi, I am nice guy, I looking good friendship with girl,
• only select Area Male friend
• Am looking for decent Male person

• I am lonely in Bangalore ... -48 years old
• hi girls, see my profile -29 years old
• Friendship -27 years old
• looking for female for friendhship -33 years old
• Looking for a good Girl ( FriendShip ) - 22 years old
• making good friends - 30 years old
• Looking for Good Female Friend

• Facebook does not work?
• Looking for woman Friends
• Searching For nice girl for friendship - 25 years old
• Need a Girl Friend 27 years old
• Looking for a honest & true female friend -38 years old
• Looking for friendship from whom needs best friend - only aunties
• Looking forward to make some new friends
• Looking for a female friend - just moved in - 32 years old
• I WANT A WOMAN AS FRIEND -40 years old

That's a collection of personal ads from one of the dating/friendship site. All the posters speak one language thought different words? Some are funny, some desperate, some eager, some covert....... Do you think they have got the match? I wonder? Too many

Which one did you like?

Restaurants and pubs in Bangalore

Ice Bar

One of the most hip and happening lobby bar in Bangalore. Ice Bar at Taj Residency has its own unique line of signature drinks, and a splendid selection of cocktails, liquors like aged malts, cognacs and also Cuban cigars. See the party pics at Ice Bar Bangalore.

i-Bar

The Park.hotel's i-BAR is one of Bangalore's most happening hot spots. Music comes with house and trance on the small dance floor. View pics from Times of India

F-Bar

Hint - Best for Friday nights Cover charges Rs.1000 per couple

Elements - Steakhouse on Nandidurga Rd.

Samarkand restaurant (infantry Road)

Shiro UB City

Opus - Great Karaoke nights especially on Sundays.

MEZZEH, Indiranagar - turkish, persian, arabic food

AYDA Iranian Restaurant in Bridage Road

Italian Restaurant in Bangalore

Via Milano

The ambience is beautiful & tastefully done. You'll love the couches overlooking the city. Try caesar salad, grilled chicken, pizzas , grilled fish, eating bread with the lovely garlic mayo and more. Yum! Check Via Milano site. This place is located at Koramangala.

Landmark: Next to Sony World Crossing, Phone: 41309997, 41309994

Pubs/Restaurants around Church Street, Bangalore

Tavern - Cool pub at Museum road

Mojos - Down Brigade road

Stones - Indira Nagar -

Cirrus - Above Extreme sports bar

Extreme sports bar - Below Cirrus( 80 ft road, Indira Nagar)

Italia - 100 foot road Indiranagar veg. only

Take 5 - Good for Jazz on Sundays 100ft and 3rd main (above coffee day)

Ranga shankara - Watch plays at Jayanagar.

Hard Rock Cafe Bangalore

View Larger Map

Hard Rock Cafe, Bangalore, is one of the popular joints for expatiate community in Bangalore. Every time I visit this granite walled I see lot's of westerner, especially in groups. I think many are tourist and few are the ones working in Bangalore on different projects.

Menu at Rock Cafe Bangalore includes the classic American fare of burgers, sandwiches, salads, delicious starters such as spring rolls, chicken wings, calamari and prawns as well as a few Indian dishes. The BLT, Chicken in Hickory Barbeque Sauce, Mezze Platter and the giant burger with Blue Cheese are definite must-haves at Hard Rock Cafe.

The Hard Rock Cafe's beautiful old stone building with a massive granite wall is lined with all kinds of memorabilia from gold albums to drumsticks and guitar picks.This place has interesting collection Roch Star memorabilia that includes Elvis Presley’s costumes, Eric Clapton's guitars and Shakira's gold camisole.

Different section are available. For less noisy section where you can dine at peace or close to the bar counter where the service is quick and for smokers you have a place close to the open sky.

For booking and info call Hard Rock Cafe, Bangalore at 080 4089 4999. Saturday's are more crowded. Book your table in advance or just walk in for a Rocking time.

Where can I rent a bike at Bangalore

Contact at the below address details for getting a bike on rent.

Where to get a bike on rent for a day in bangalore

At Unicorn Auto u can rent automated kinetic Honda. The vehicles are available by the day, week, fortnight or even more than a month.

To know more about rent-a-kinetic, call us at +91-98440-24-365.

Contact Matthew Joji Abraham’s Unicorn.You only need to fill in the fuel, furnish a copy of the driving licence, address proof and two references and then hit the roads

Another place: Landmark: Near Syndicate BankPhone: 080-22208397, 22208398.

All these details were found from the net. Pls user your judgement to pick the right service provider.

How many friends?

Recently I'was pondering on this question. Shrinking pools of quality friendship has gotten me to think on the life and journey towards friendship. While the virtue of friends is being talked around, the life has now moved to islands of relationship.

It's in this space, I started this "rent a friend" blog. Then how can you get a friend for hire? is it an oxymoron or it's a word used without any true meaning.

I still don't have an answer to these, probably you can give some fodder for thought!

Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up."

Ecclesiastes

Koshy's @ Bangalore

Koshy's restaurant in Banglore is one of the iconic places to drink and dine. The rustic ambiance, the upbeat regulars, the old timers makes this a favourite joint for many Banagloreans and expact community.

Patronised by the city's old, arty, and intellectuals, Koshy's at St Marks Road stand distinct from the other sassy restaurants. When I first ventured to this famed joint, it was a smokers den.

Here're few lines written by "Anu" from grapewine.

There is an air of purpose to the place - even in the quietest table where an old gentleman sips his beer with the daily crossword for company. There is animated conversation, intellectual debate, raucous laughter and ponderous silence packed into 800 sq ft of tables and chairs. Coffee and cigarettes, jaded waiters, lackadaisical service, high ceilings and old whirring fans (if you aren't in the fancy air-conditioned section). Food is secondary though the menu is elaborate. It's not as tasty as it is expensive, but no one seems to mind.

So, what makes me love this place. Is it the attitude, the food, the beer under checkered table cloth or just another place that allows you spend time under the roof....

All of it in unison. Koshy's has room for improvement about the quality of food and the service. Some waiters looks like they are lost somewhere, with cold looks and cold courtesy... I hope they find someone who loves working there!

Read more from Koshy's website

Lonely in Bangalore? Just hire a friend

Bangalore city can look chaotic, pollution, or just lonely for expats or people coming in to do business. Streets & innumerable cross can confuse and make your life miserable. For an outsider it all adds to the pile of woes.

If you're going to such process, here a way to get a help for hire. I got this idea on the line so rend a friend sites that's popular in U.S, Canada and in Moscow.

On the same lines, at an individual level you can hire me to go for shopping, or to find local stuff from Bangalore. It's not a date as most people would imagine, but it's more on platonic lines.

Currently, my service is limited to ladies or expat couples. So, if you're looking out for a friend to take out for shopping or to discover Bangalore, then you're welcome.

How I can help you in Bangalore

How I can be of help:

Would you like to get in touch with the local friend from Bangalore? Discover more from my

eyes about the ways of Bangalore. Share quality time and share mutual interests or learn new

ways of life or hobbies. Here're few things I can do for you:

• Learn few tips to cope with the chaos
• Teach how to cook indian food
• Visit gardens/shopping at malls or bargin sale
• Tips on Shopping for kids
• Trying different foods
• Try out new pubs/bars
• Shopping for Indian Handicraft
• Teach Indian recepies
• Shop for Indian Jute bags
• Buy Sandal wood produts
• Share mutual interest in cooking
• Help you out to buy Silk dress/sari
• Teach you how to wear Sari
• Explore Itallian food joints
• Music - country songs & hindi
• Try authentic Managlore dish
• Reading - casual
• Dining out - Like exploring new joints
• Travelling -
• Craft & home deco
• Meeting new people

This list is not exhaustive! Just few points that went through my mind. Mail me at

marigold9999@gmail.com to contact me.

Rent a Bangalore friend

Are you stopping at Bangalore or visiting Bangalore for a business trip or kindling old ties with this city?

Here's an ideal way to discover the city, or spend your free time sharing thoughts with a friend who lives here - even if you have to rent me!

This idea of rent-a-friend struck a chord from my experiences with many Bangalore expats, and elderly people in Bangalore. Most of them had spare time in Bangalore and wished they had a friend to take them around.

Unfortunately in this busy world, you don't have friends to tag you in real life, (expect in Faceboo). This got me thinking of offering my time to people who like to spend some quality time in Bangalore.

I can be of help to those who like to discover this city with a person who lives here or it could be personlized service for elderly people.

For me it's more fun to know and help people than just about earning an extra $.

Opera house Bangalore

( Opera house, Bangalore - Hay days)

Opera House situated at the end of Brigade road (opposite to Mota Royal Arcade) is an old time relic of Bangalore. It ran blockbusters in the '60s and going beyond in the e'30's it served at the ballroom and musical theater.

Now it's shut down monument, biting the dust amidst the pollution and other gleaming building around it. It's closed for public, but if you're curious you can try to talk to the guard and steel-a-peek at the vintage interiors.

Inside the Opera house, the teak balustrades and floorboards remain as the testimony of what was once one of the most elite place for sophisticated theatre audience.

Shopping Malls in Bangalore

Along with the rise of IT hub, Bangalore rose in the number of shopping malls. As Bangalore stretched, the shopping malls too spread out. First shopping mall to make the biggest impact was Forum and even today it attracts millions of shoppers, window shoppers. Promimity of forum at Koramangala is a positive factor.

Here are the short list of shopping malls in Bangalore

Forum Mall:

Located in Hosur Main Road, Koramangala it has brands like Swarovski Crystals , Tommy Hilfiger to movie halls. Landmark at Forum mall is a good destination for users to browse and buy good collection of books. Another unique shop in Forum is Fragrance soap shop. Thought I haven't bought anything from this place, It has different varieties of natural soaps made from different natural mateiral material.

Garuda Mall :

Love the open places, the coffee day at Garuda mall. It's best to feel relaxed and get open fresh air. Just like other malls, it too has it's share of shops from cookies to pubs.

Bangalore Central :

Enter Bangalore Central, and the ground floor has all the expensive perfume and tolitteries. From Wrangler to Levi's you can indulge in all kinds of shopping. Bangalore central has a well know pub "Hint". It's one of the happening pubs in Bangalore, esp during friday nights and Saturday.

Expat in Bangalore - Help around

• Where is the closest hospital from your place?
• Where can I find the best Gynecologist or for specialized treamtment?
• How do I go to the most happening pubs?
• How safe is Bangalore at night?
• How to reach "Caveri" emporium to purchase handicraft?
• Where is the closest swiming pool?
• Which hotel can give me the best stay at affordable rates?
• Where can I find 5 star vegan restaurant in Bangalore?
• Where do I shop at JP Nagar?
• How do I reach Lal Bagh?
• Can I use American Express cards here?
• Where is Brigade road in Bangalore? How do I reach them?
• Which Chinese restaruant gives me authentic Chinese food?
• Where can I watch theater plays and how to reach there?
• Where is British library in Bangalore or Maxmuller Institute in Bangalore?
• How to avoid being ripped off by auto or taxi fellas?

Well, I may not have the answer to such questions, but I can help you find out. I'm sure you'll have more practical question about food, culture, location and other queries to get make you life easy in Bangalore.

I'll do my best, to figure out the best way to make your life easy in this metro. If you're interested to hire a friend in Bangalore, I'can give my best to get you from the maze.

Mail me your details, and I'll reach back to you.

Thank you,

Have a nice pleasant stay in Bangalore

Gettin Help in Bangalore

How expats navigate thru maze of Bangalore

I was reading a post in Bangalore expat blog from a lady who wanted someone to assit her friend. She wanted a person who can be drive & speak english, and take her to Doctor/Hosptials. Getting local help is a major issues for many expats in Bangalore and also for people who come from other parts of India.

Whom can we trust? Is there a reliable agency where they supply such people? These are the services of tomorrow. There is big chance for an agency to provide trustworthy people for local help.

People with near and dear ones far away, it can be distressing to know that there is no one to assist or escort for such services.

While many good samritans gave forward to help for this lady, I wonder how many others with similar can get help?

Help at Hand

If you're looking for such services for ladies, then I can take care of them. You can rent me out for the time you require, probably for a few hours. I can help you rent a car, take for Doctor visit or locate the best Physician etc.

Mail me your request and I'll call back for details. Let me make your life easier in Bangalore.

Friends in need, yet to be discovered.

Last night I was watching a movie in Star - Chocolat and few lines at the end struck a chord with me...

The Wind spoke to Vianne...

of towns yet to be visited.

Friends in need, yet to be discovered.

Battles yet to be fought.

By someone else... next time.

Friends yet to be discovered
Wind blows different tale with each day, thought each day looks just like the one before. Days pass, years pass, hair loose it's thickness and we travel in search of new adventures.

Platonic friend for hire in Bangalore

Does I sound too materialistic, or it a natural evolution of modern life. Life has changed moved from the utopian 60's to googlistic era. Now you seek every bit of life in Google and life's search begins and ends there.

Having seen the changes from 80's I see people moving inwardly for everything. Relationship are mostly for convenience and people have selective memory on people and events.

So, why did I embark on something is still an touchy factor for any Indian women.

Money is definitely a factor, but not entriely. For money, there are other things for you to explore. My love to cut the mundane existence, to meet new mortals, use my time productivity & give people a chance to explore Bangalore.

All people, need companionship and privacy, something that’s not typically offered by your run-of-the-mill relationship. Maybe, you can find a real friend in me or just a tempoary sheltor to spend some time with you.

Life moves on, so do people around us. Life take us to places we never been nor dreamt of being. City is always in a state of flux. People moving in, seeking for something, hunting and I'm here living a blessed life.

Somewhere, if I get to meet more people, that's wonderful, else I go on in my life.

Tips before you hire Auto in Bangalore

Pic from: http://puddlerides.wordpress.com

How to avoid being cheated by Auto drivers in Bangalore

Come to Bangalore and you'll have ur share of bad experiences with Auto drivers. Autorikshaw is a necessity you can't avoid in Bangalore, (unless u take cab), & for many visitors, it is fraught with many frustrating experiences.

Language barrier makes them interpret you wrongly, or at least they pretend to misunderstand your destination. They take u to a wrong place and then charge you a hefty

Most of them take you around to a destination and charge you for all the time you sit for a short trip

After 9:00 Pm, they are reluctant to come, unless you comply with their 1 1/2 or double or the rate they quote

How to minimize

First - Understand your destination. Ask people about the landmark around it. Put it in writing and make it clean to the Auto driver on where you want to go.

Second - Unless you know the exact route, don't go with the meter. He's take you in the longest route :(

Third - Decide on the rate before you get in. Even if it's some extra 10 or 20 from the usual rate, it's fine.

Finally the most important:

If you get time, ask people the possible auto fare. Have this in mind, before you talk to the auto. Use it as a benchmark to negotiate with him.

Despite taking care on all these, chances of being swindled by these khaki fellas, unless you're lucky to meet a good Samaritan Auto driver. Yes, there are still good people.

Things I love to do

Shop, shop and shop. Cook, cook & cook. Travel...

But these things are now in the back seat. Call it recession.

Love to devote some time to work for social cause. But that hasn't happened the way I wanted. Professionally I'm into accounting and work for UK process. I work from home & office. This way I get time to move out of house or to schedule my work.

Weekends are always busy with house hold chores and then evening go around with my hubby. Probably end at our regular pubs..

What I'm not

Friend in me - Friendly expectations
I'm not into any kind of thrills out of this friendship bond. My intentions are to share my time to meet and also earn in return of the time well spend for mutual benefit.

Before I meet I can share my facebook profile to know who I'm and how I look. If you're looking for gorgeous women who can give "a special time", then excuse me. I don't fit in that school.

I'm just a plain overweight simple female, with looks that don't give me a second look :)

I'll sincerely try my best to give the value for money and time you spend in my company. So, if you think my profile suits the thoughts, then surely do contact me.

what can help/support you in Bangalore?

Activities I'm available for:

Coffee House, Book Stores, Site Seeing, Museums, Parks, going to mall ( Bangalore Central, Forum, Garuda mall etc, Movies, Dinner, city travel, shopping, etc. haven't figured out it all..

what can I do for you in Bangalore?

Activities I'm available for:

Coffee House, Book Stores, Site Seeing, Pubs ( Hard rock cafe Bangalore, Tavern, etc ), restaurant ( Koshy's etc ), ice cream joints, Baking/Cooking, Museums, Amusement Parks, going to mall ( Bangalore Central, Forum, Garuda mall etc, Movies, Dinner, city travel, shopping, etc. haven't figured out it all..

Why I started?

I found this concept very unique, simple and effective. Many times I've wondered If I had a friend/acquintance with whom I can shop, eat, discuss or just spend some time. Often, in this city life I find many people loney and looking for short term friends to fill this void.

Expat Ladies in Bangalore

I would prefer ladies who are new this city or those who are living here and would prefer to do some common activity that I also love.

I will be happy to meet expat ladies or interesting people for activities in Bangalore.

Since I wouldn't find a website, I thought of using this blog to share it out.

Yours in Friendship

Maria

First Be a Friend

What's rent a friend

I got a clue on this concept from an article published in Times of India. I checked on their website, rentafriend, but they had services limited to U.S and Canada.

This tickled my thoughts on the concept of renting friendship. Apart from making extra $$$, I meet new people, share common interest, show them around Bangalore or just rid their blues away.

My work allows me to spare some time, and what's better than doing something which you love.

Rent a friend Bangalore

To start with I think, I can start giving services to ladies or couples who are new to Bangalore or who would like to have a friend for a shopping, visiting places around Bangalore, discuss about cooking, dining, or just spending some time over a cup of coffee.

While it's an attempt, I'm not sure how far this would go.

About me

I'm in my mid 30's, married and happily living in Bangalore. I like gardening, cooking, movies, country songs, sharing time with like minded people. I speak English, Hindi and can manage few south Indian languages.

Anyone interested can email me ur details and phone number. I'll call back immediately and see if I can be a friend to you. : )

Thanks

Sheeba