25.-27.1.2011
We bought tickets to sleeper bus via Paulo Travels. The brochure promised a/c super luxury, Volvo deluxe bus with sleeping compartments. We got icy cold, small, no-sleep bunks. You were bouncing up and down in your bunk as the luxury Volvo's suspencion was totally nonexistent.
In the middle of the night we had a fight with a Russian tourist claiming he had reserved exactly our spots for himself. That is basically impossible as there are no numbers in the bunks and the drivers don't know them either; first-come, first-served. Another rule of thumb; if you don't know what to do, follow the example of locals.
Trip from Margao to Hampi took approximately 9 hours (instead of estimated 7) and once arriving to bus station we were attacked by several tuk-tuk drivers. After the sleepless night the most pleasant way arriving to a new city. I made a deal with driver who promised not to bug me with unnecessary sightseeing offers and got to our guesthouse with 10Rs. Smart man made a silent offer to drive us also later so we booked him also for the temple tour:))
26th Jan is the republic day of India, just a day before 2-day Hampi festival begins.
The drumming started on the hills and after couple of hours the parade reached Virupaksha temple with elephants and dancers wearing masks and colourful outfits. The ear-popping drumming was nearly hypnotizing and one couldn't help but just follow the crowd.
Sometimes you felt like you were a tourist attraction yourself as the locals were snapping "secretly" pictures of the palefaces with their mobilephones. Or they wanted to take a picture with you. Probably should begin to charge money for that...
Hampi is most impressive at sunrise and sunset when sun paints the temples and ruins to beautiful colors. Midday is dusty, hot and you get the feeling like you've stranded to a desert. You're also likely to get sunburned.
I can totally recommend a trip to Hampi if you have couple of days to spare from the beach. Rent a motorbike from Goa and you'll be there in no-time.
If you wish to have a deeper body&soul cleansing, spend a week, but I think 2-3 days will do fine. After all Hampi is not a big place, and bear in mind that restaurants do not serve any alcohol or any kind of meat/poultry. Even fish is rarely in the menu.
I think I've lost couple of kilos...Yeah:)
We bought tickets to sleeper bus via Paulo Travels. The brochure promised a/c super luxury, Volvo deluxe bus with sleeping compartments. We got icy cold, small, no-sleep bunks. You were bouncing up and down in your bunk as the luxury Volvo's suspencion was totally nonexistent.
In the middle of the night we had a fight with a Russian tourist claiming he had reserved exactly our spots for himself. That is basically impossible as there are no numbers in the bunks and the drivers don't know them either; first-come, first-served. Another rule of thumb; if you don't know what to do, follow the example of locals.
Trip from Margao to Hampi took approximately 9 hours (instead of estimated 7) and once arriving to bus station we were attacked by several tuk-tuk drivers. After the sleepless night the most pleasant way arriving to a new city. I made a deal with driver who promised not to bug me with unnecessary sightseeing offers and got to our guesthouse with 10Rs. Smart man made a silent offer to drive us also later so we booked him also for the temple tour:))
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| Virupaksha temple at sunrise - view from Vicky's rooftop restaurant |
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| Problem? |
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| Lotus Mahal |
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The drumming started on the hills and after couple of hours the parade reached Virupaksha temple with elephants and dancers wearing masks and colourful outfits. The ear-popping drumming was nearly hypnotizing and one couldn't help but just follow the crowd.
 |
| Lakshmi |
Sometimes you felt like you were a tourist attraction yourself as the locals were snapping "secretly" pictures of the palefaces with their mobilephones. Or they wanted to take a picture with you. Probably should begin to charge money for that...
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| Hampi Bazaar |
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| Chillies drying in the sun |
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| Lounging in a tibetian restaurant - Herman |
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| Rocky-Rocky Singh learning the secrets of Rubik's cube |
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| Reggae restaurants's dj booth / laundry service / jewellery shop / ?? |
Hampi is most impressive at sunrise and sunset when sun paints the temples and ruins to beautiful colors. Midday is dusty, hot and you get the feeling like you've stranded to a desert. You're also likely to get sunburned.
I can totally recommend a trip to Hampi if you have couple of days to spare from the beach. Rent a motorbike from Goa and you'll be there in no-time.
If you wish to have a deeper body&soul cleansing, spend a week, but I think 2-3 days will do fine. After all Hampi is not a big place, and bear in mind that restaurants do not serve any alcohol or any kind of meat/poultry. Even fish is rarely in the menu.
I think I've lost couple of kilos...Yeah:)
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