Beautiful Mountains and slightly less scary monkeys

The temples I've seen here have been very special, but I decided it was time to do something other than temple finding. So I headed for the mountains. I wasn't really sure what to expect, but even the journey up to the little town I stayed in was stunningly beautiful. We climbed about 2500ft with views down into sheer green valleys covered with pine and gum trees.

My accommodation was exceptionally cheap but not overly exciting and had rank smelling pillows. The main thing though was that they gave me lots of blankets. Southern India is boiling hot right now but in the mountains, at night time, it is freezing! Unfortunately the bathroom was outside which did put me off washing. They provided me with hot water though so I at least washed my hair even if the rest of me minged.

I went on walks through the mountains and found what are known as Pillar Rocks - beautiful pillars of rock (funnily enough), and had wonderful views across to other mountains. It was a national holiday of some sort and so lots of Indian tourists were about. At a view point there were gangs of monkeys. I was naturally terrified - you can never trust a monkey - but everyone else happily stood right next to them. Apart from one monkey dipping his hand into someone's bag, I presume to look for food, they were all extremely well behaved. This has lessened my fear a small amount. At least around the monkeys here anyway.

Back down in the town there was a pretty lake. Again there were lots of Indian tourists, all cycling, horse riding or boating around it. I just decided to walk. In other places I've travelled there have very rarely been tourists from the country I'm in, so this is something new!