Holy Hampi!

To get to HAMPI you arrive by train (7 hours from Goa) into Hospet. A bumpy 15 minute rickshaw ride and you're in tiny Hampi where you'll see the Virupaksha temple. Our rickshaw driver reminded me instantly of Sid from Ice Age, which I think made me like him more. We were dropped off at Rocky's  Guesthouse and that's where we stayed for 2 nights. My sister who was here 4 years ago simply said "Hampi is cool, it's like bedrock." A bedrock where there is no alcohol or meat.

 

So you're in Hampi, where on arrival you need to register as a visitor at the Police station. Very quickly the below (see pic) will happen and you will have said your own name and shaken people's hands more times in 20 minutes than you would in a typical year!!

It's hilarious. And for the record, I was bought my corn on the cob for the 10 photographs they took!

HAMPI has lots of little shops in the main bazaar, as well as cafe/restaurants. The surrounding area is punctuated with lots of ruins and temples all of Hindu significance. Sid took us around the area on his rickshaw for a few hours. When at the temples I spent most of the time having my photo taken with children and taking photos of children. They were that giddy at looking at them afterwards it caused more and more to want their photo taken too! After a short lesson in greetings, the group of three left us saying 'bye friend' after correcting their greeting 'hello auntie'.

It is a unique, relaxed place, I'd definitely recommend a stop here. 

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India 10 days in: costs and route

10 days into the trip we've been through 3 states (Maharastra, Goa, Karnataka) and spent approx £165 (minus the spa time!) so about £17 per day.

Summary of costs:

Cheapest accom: £3.50

Most expensive: £13

Cheapest meal (including drinks): £1.20

Most expensive: £11.50 

Least spent on single trip: 25p bus. Rickshaws from 60p to £3.50

Most spent on single trip: 2A/C train Goa to Hospet (Hampi) £10.

I guessed you could travel the same sort of route as us for as little as £8 per day if you ate in cheap places, (which isn't hard or that bad) travelled in unreserved second class (which would be hot and painful) and stayed in cell like digs (who really wants to do that?!). 

At the opposite end of the scale, virtually everywhere you go there's somewhere to stay that'll set you back £150+ per night. Nilaya Hermitage, Goa = £ per night, for example!!!

The route so far:

1 - 10 Mumbai - Konkan Coast - Goa - Hampi.

11 - 14 Mysore - Kochi

This is a screen shot image from the free Track my Tour app. You can track mine from this link http://trackmytour.com/wg46n 

Days 11 - 13

We have a 12 hour night train and a 12 hour night bus coming up, which I'm not that enthused about. I am assured the bus is a lot better than the near hell I endured on a night bus in Rajasthan (North India) two years ago. 

On the train we travel by what they call 2AC, or second class with air con. This basically means you have 2 seats come beds one above the other in a compartment that sleeps four. You can get 3AC which is 3 up on either side. First class, which I haven't ever booked in time to travel in, is 2 and 4 berth compartments with locking doors and meals included.