Well, after a few days of chilling out on the beach in Palolem (or if you're me - Andrea - being stuck in a smallish, very green room for a few days, ill) we headed down to the tiny town of Hampi.Hampi is amazing - it's essentially a set of gorgeous ruins that have come back to life with people moving back into the town centre. It's almost like seeing history come alive with the town's bazaar again filled with vendors and colourful goods (though of course, I'm not sure there would have been so many autorickshaw drivers a few hundred years ago).
We spent two full days enjoying with Hampi and the surrounding area had to offer, namely about 2,000 temples in various states of decay or rejuvination. The first day we rented a scooter and headed out in the countryside to see not just the temples, but the banana plantations, other towns and just enjoy getting around on our own instead of being driven everywhere. Except for a flat tire, it was all good.
The second day Phil and I went out see the three highlights of Hampi (i.e. the ruins you actually have to pay for) by bike, which was fun but very very hot. We decided to get the farthest ones done first and work out way back to town, so we rode out to the Elephant Stables. They were really amazing and very elephant-sized.
From there we continued back to town to take a somewhat grueling and heat-stroke-inducing 2 km walk in the hottest part of the day to the Vittala temple. The walk was actually quite gorgeous as it followed the river and you could enjoy the Devil's Marble-esque rocks on either side and the temple itself was amazing - so much detail in all aspects of the temple. Pictured here is the stone chariot in the courtyard of the temple. Apparently the wheels even used to turn (and now India people cannot resist walking all over it, much to the disgust of the officials and their whistles).
I have to say, as much as I loved seeing the temples, I think the real highlight of Hampi is just being there. From most places in town you can see the top of the Virupashka temple and the huge round boulders that are scattered all around the town. It just has a wonderful feel to the whole place. Oh, and you can also pay 1 rupee and get blessed by Lakshmi, the temple elephant (so cool!!).We are currently in the town of Bangalore where a friend of Phil's family, Kishore, lives. We are meeting up tonight at 6:30, then heading further South to the town of Mysore to see a palace.
I hope you're all well. A special hello to Louie who we met on the train from Goa to Hampi who was excellent company for both of us. I hope you really enjoy the rest of your trip, Australia and Ghana!!
