It’s hard to find the discipline to write. When you’re traveling and seeing/doing stuff everyday, it even harder. And when you’re having fun doing these things, who has time to stop and write? Our more than half week in Bombay was reduced to one post. In Goa, I barely wrote and must admit that some of the posts were written several days after the events. Now, our two days in Hampi have been condensed to one post as well. I’m trying to find the discipline to write a little each day, but for now, this single post will have to suffice.

            Luckily, Hampi was better than I expected. Joylani roughly planned out a South India itinerary for us, when we were in Leh. Since that initial plan, I had considered removing it from our route several times. But Joylani said we should give it a shot, so we did. I was a bit reluctant to leave Goa for Hampi, but it was pleasant surprise. After 100 degree days and mid-80 degree nights, the cool dry Hampi weather was great. Like Goa, our room was part of a lady’s house. Initially it was nice, but she was kind of overbearing in “offering” services (laundry, scooter rental, food, etc.). But we weren’t at the guesthouse much, spending our days in the interesting town and seeing the surprisingly good attractions. I say surprisingly because how interesting could it really be to see more temples? Well, they were pretty cool. But even better than the temples was seeing the totally weird landscape all around Hampi. A couple years ago I read an article that perfectly articulated one of the reasons I travel: to see things I cannot even imagine. What does Hampi’s landscape look like? Rocks. Big round rocks. Everywhere. Okay, so I’m not as good a writer as photographer, so just look at the pictures to see.

The road leading into Hampi

Can’t really tell in this pic, but those ruins are really BIG!

Joylani and freaking big rocks! 

Things I cannot imagine about Hampi’s landscape: Where did all the rocks come from? Why are they so big? How come they’re all round and shaped so smoothly? It’s amazing because these rocks that look like giant pebbles stretch for as far as I could see (even standing on top of some hills). We rented a scooter our first day and checked out some of the more far-flung ruins and just walked a circuit of the smaller ones on day two. Seeing all the temples the first day was fun. The temples were not even as big as many of the rocks, but there were a ton of them, all grouped in geometric complexes. Many of the details adorning the pillars and walls were still intact, as most of the temples are only about 500 years old. Most of the ruins had no entry fee and so we were free to roam around, sit and write/draw, etc. Plus, there were barely any people at a lot of them, as there were dozens and dozens. Not too interesting history or anything to write about, but the temples juxtaposed against the boulder-strewn landscape was very photogenic, so I’ll leave you with photos.

Some tourists and boy carrying a boat to take them across the river…

Banana plantation, some palms, and you guessed it, more enormous rocks