The Waterfall Adventure
The Lonely Planet guide book talks about these “waterfalls” in Hampi that are supposedly only a 2km walk away. Since it’s hotter than hell here, Maren and I decided to trek on over there the other day.
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A Night Out
A Night Out
We found out about some live music at a restaurant here in Hampi and decided to check it out.
The performers were both backpackers, traveling around with their instruments and putting on free shows in each town they visit.
He is from Spain.
She is from England.
He plays the guitar.
She plays the accordion, flute, and recorder.
They both sing in Spanish and English.
They played a salsa song and this Indian couple got up and just tore up the “dance floor”, looking like a professional salsa dance team. Every eye was on them and the restaurant owner even turned on the lights and employees were video taping it on their phones. At the end of the song, the whole place erupted into cheers and applause.
It was awesome.
Happy, Healthy, and HOT in Hampi
Happy, Healthy, and HOT in Hampi
Hampi is famous for its ancient ruins and boulder-strewn landscape. It was once the capital of the Vijayanagara Empire in the 15th century and was home to half a million inhabitants and 1500 elephants. It’s currently population is less than 3000 and there’s only one elephant. It is divided into a Royal Center, where the Vijayanagara King and Queen lived, and a Sacred Center, which is where most of the temples are located. Most of it is free to explore, but you can also hire guides and do various types of tours. Aside from being fascinating and gorgeous, it is also hotter than hell in Hampi.
The Sleeper Bus
The Sleeper Bus
To get from Goa to Hampi, Karnataka, we took an overnight sleeper bus that left Panjim around 9:00pm and arrived in Hampi around 8:00am. We had no idea what to expect from the overnight bus, so what we got was quite a unique experience.
Pee Town
Pee Town
India has a pee problem. And a saliva problem. And a trash problem.
Panjim’s Temples, a car blessing, and the swastika
Panjim’s Temples, a car blessing, and the swastika
Panjim has a few very beautiful temples. The Hanuman temple, a gorgeously vibrant orange building, was a 10-minute walk from our hotel, so we wandered up there one morning.
Continue reading “Panjim’s Temples, a car blessing, and the swastika”
Panjim: Goa’s Capital City
Panjim: Goa’s capital city
Our first (and lasting) impression of Panjim was that we loved it. We have deemed it our favorite place so far on the trip, even despite me being laid up for an entire day.
Oops! I Crapped My Pants
Actually it was more of a shart. And I was wearing my bathing suit, not pants. But you get the idea.
The Ayurvedic Massage
The Goan beaches are popular hotspots for yoga and ayurvedic medicine. I figured while I was in Palolem, I should get an ayurvedic massage, which I read you could find for about $8. So, I followed the signs for an “ayurvedic massage spa” and found a hut near the beach. Outside the hut, I met one of the female masseuses, an Indian woman in her 50s. I told her a wanted a full body massage and asked about prices. She told me in a whisper that she would give me a discount and showed me a menu of services. While I was looking it over, she whispered again something about price and discount, but then said her boss was coming and she quickly scooted back into the hut.
Palolem Beach, Goa
Goa: A place to do nothing
We arrived in Goa on Jan. 14th after a one-hour flight from Mumbai. We could have taken a train for half the price, but it would have taken 9 hours. We opted for the “time is money” approach and flew here instead.
A lot of people refer to Goa like it is a city, but in fact it is a very, very small state. India’s smallest. In Goa, we have been staying in Palolem Beach, which is in south Goa.
First impressions of Palolem were: cute, small, hippie, touristy, relaxing.
The World Is My Boyfriend 