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Published: April 19th 2006
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coracle boat crossing the river
what a precarious carry on each time we wanted to go to the other side of the river!! 13/11/02 Up at 4!! Rushed to get packed. Pete and cherry said good bye at 5 am!! Journey to vasco took 1 hour- not too bad; very little on the roads. Found carriage, with the assistance of a blokie (baksheesh wallah!!) First hour , our carriage was empty, then alot of back packers got on at magadon. We were joined by and aussie couple (Dave and Emma) - sat and chatted and looked at the scenery- amazing water falls and mountains. Got to hospet- rickshaw to hampi- cool to see india again. Had to get a coracle boat, once at hampi to cross the river to where we wanted to stay. Oh, such fun!! Getting in a coracle ,with a rucksac on and 10 other people in it- the floor was wet through and we had to sit on our haunches!! Managed to get up the hill at the other side and after a 5 minutes walk we got to our hutted abode(mowgli resort) .Our hut faces a paddy field- very secluded, attatched bathroom(squat toilet) for Rs 80- what a bargain!! . Sat with Dave and Emma at night surrounded by our 4 legged friends! Had a small but good curry
home!
our hut for the week! 14/11/02 Up 9 ish - had brekkie (fruit salad- NOT like Boons ark - chaii and 2 huge sandwiches for Rs 50) Got our boat into Hampi and had a wander. Hampi is very surreal! Huge boulders everywhere and dotted ruins in between!! Didn't go too far into the ruins, mainly beause we had no guide book!
Had lunch , which was like something out of a comedy show- "special food" they advertised!- so bloody special it was like "give us a clue as to what it was!!!". I ordered hoummus- cold mashed potato I got!! Falafel, bri ordered- some hard chick pea arrangement he got... and it took them 1 and a quarter hours!!! We left minus eating! We then went to Shanthi restaurant- far better , although they only had half of the selection as the pwoer was off!! The cafe has a pet fawn-(aah how cute!) Apparently they found it wandering in the road- no mother to be seen . Headed back and had a beer to watch the sunset. Went "out" for evening meal... well down the road!! and had vert good "home made" food- Mmm pasanda. Returned and had some more beers before reading for
typical hampi scene
aka flinstone land!! a while whilst overlooking the paddy fields
15/11/02 Did not leave until 10ish , after having had brekkie - had 18 in our coracle boat... do defo not very comfortable crossing!! First stop- virupaxa temple; pretty impressive- would have been better if King Kong and his entourage weren't there (getting a real aversion to monkeys now!) There was a marriage ceremony occuring, which seemed rather chaotic- children running around all over the place!. We then went to Sule Bazaar- didn't stay long as its quite remote and there was an indian bloke "attempting to be a guide". We then walked to Vittal temple which is half an hour walk through boulders and past sadhus aka "beggars!"Payed Rs 250 to et into Vittal- fantastic temple (1513). The pillars inside, actually play musical notes! The cart infront of the temple is extremley intricate, although how long it will stay that way with everyone jumping all over it??? Slow walk back meant it was lunch time (3ish) - had a fab vege burger(bloody huge) . Picked up lots of emails then headed back- witnessed a motor bike being brought over the river in a coracle!! Walked back via juice centre (Mmm) Had
a fab evening meal at 3rd eye restaurant (really cool cafe- sit on padded seats on the floor, overlooking the river) Bri had the "best tuna pizza in india" I had "best tuna spaghetti" in India- we will be back!
16/11/02 (the day bri lost his shoe!!)
Woke up to the dulcit tones of " someones nicked my fu**ing shoes" ( Bri had left his sandals on the verandah) Bri quickly spotted one on the floor near the field- conclusion monkey, dog or cat- BASTARD.Searched the whole bloody complex- NOTHING. The owners wven cut grasses- NOTHING.Didn't leave until 11ish to the other side. Hnded some films in and hired really comfy/ fully geared/ all terrain bicycles... NOT!!! First stop on tour de hampi was the Krishna temple- very impressive sculptures remained. Then went to Badaui Linga (temple with black stone(linga) within it. The impressive Ugra Narashimha is also here (22' statue) On then to underground temple (nowt really there) before stoppin at Hajan roma temple( really good carving particularly on the exterior walls). We then saw the "sunken bath"(part of the royal complex) and 100s of school children, whom thankfully we avoided!!
Onto the queens bath, which was nowt special
(again 100s of school children) The last stop was Lotus Mahal/ elephant stables- which we had to pay for- we haggled and got half price! We then rode back via the ganesha temple and went for food( had tuna toast!)Caught up on emails and Bri ordered 2 Kurtahs- I bought a pair of pink trousers. Caught boat back (after having cycle ride through village)- nearlly dark! Back to hotel and looked at photos(very good) .Had beers and huge meal(gave dog 2 chapatis and curry- he liked it!! Read for a while
17/11/02 - day 62. The day Bri found his shoe!
Woken up by dogs vs birds! When in the freezing shower, I noticed some shoes on the toilet block roof opposite us! On closer inspection I noticed that Bri's was up there too- hooray!! Thats £40 saved!! Bri rescued it. Had banana porridge for brekkie, then hired some bikes to go to monkey temple- bloody uncomfortable on the arse!! Took about half an hour to cycle through villages and farm land- saw alot of water buffalos. Slightly dubious about climbing to the top of the temple, because of our 4 legged ancestors- decided to brave it (with stone in
hand!) Few other people were walking up- more demanding than a step class!! (100s of steps) - superb views at the top. On our return dis some washing and then to French bakery for dinner- cheese omelette and tomato baguette (very good) Came back and read on verandah before having an afternoon nap! Went to 3rd eye for evening meal- had pasta again! Lots of fireworks going off tonite(?? due to full moon) Sat reading on the verandah (very peaceful)
18/11/02 Up early, had brekkie and off to the river crossing... which was half full for once! Went in internet place and scanned lots of our pictures and sent them. Took bloody hours as the computor did not want to download!! Then did a bit of shopping; got mum her birthday prezzie and myself a necklace. I got skirt and trousers for rs 300. Had dinner4 at 3rd eye and had indian food, which was shit compared to their itallian food!! Went to hut and packed. Left ata 17:00- river crossing with backpacks on really isn't much fun!! To train station one hour early/ train one hour late. Lots of little fagins running around. Got on train; Bri got
hit on the arse by an eighty year old cos he stood on his food! Had usual "what is your good name... do you like my india" befpre s;ee[omg(!) on our upper bunks- had a snorer nex to me (fantastic!!)
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