The overnight train was like heaven compared to the overnight bus. Again, we were assigned beds, each one about 6 feet long by 2.5 feet wide and we did NOT have to share a bed (yay! Team Train for the win!). The ride was pretty smooth and everyone was quiet as a mouse. Lights were turned off, but each bed had a personal lamp if you wanted to use it. Our coach also had AC and I was actually pretty cold, although we were provided with clean sheets, wool blankets, and little pillows. It was a MAJOR step up from the sleeper bus. Overall it was really easy, especially since my stop was the end of the line so there was no confusion about where to get off.
Tag Travel
The Hampi Zoo
Just kidding. Hampi doesn’t have a zoo (and if it did, I wouldn’t go to it). But it does have tons of street animals. You literally cannot go down ANY street here without coming across the following types of creatures:
The Waterfall Adventure/Mishap
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.
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 World Is My Boyfriend 