If you want to feel like you are on a completely different planet, come to Hampi. I read that it was an other-wordly terrain, but never expected this. I won't even attempt to put it into too many words, because I think it just needs to be seen. In photos at least. On my soon to be created photo-blog. (I totally get it if you don't believe that for a second!)
After a cheap, cramped, bumpy (to put it very mildly) overnight bus ride to get here from Panjim, Blaire and I were not feeling uber-pleasant when we pulled up at 8am. But just looking around quickly changed that. We were surrounded by enormous sandy-orangy boulders, and mountains of them for as far as the eye can see, spotted here and there with beautifully carved temples and ruins. It is described as the result of volcanic activity followed by erosion, but I'm still at a loss to understand how the site can be so gigantic. The site and scope remind me of Angkor Wat in Cambodia, but the scenery is quite different. Yesterday, Blaire and I got a tuk-tuk guided tour of part of the grounds, with a great, friendly driver. Our last stop was the sunset look-out... mesmerizing. That's all I'll say about it until photos.
Today, after a great and much needed sleep, I went up to our guesthouse rooftop to watch the sun rise over a palmtree-lined horizon. Absolute beauty. When Blaire got up, not much later, we headed to the river ghats where the "mascot" elephant, Lakshmi, would be given her daily bath. We sat on the steps and waited for her arrival. After about half an hour, we heard a voice from behind saying, "Please clear the way." We were sitting just below where Lakshmi was making her descent! She walked right by us, into the river, and slowly bent her knees to lay down for her morning scrub. Every day, around 9am, she gets a two-hour serious scrub-down. We stayed for half. When she turned over to have her second side done, we figured we had seen enough.
Then we went to rent our pretty pink basket bikes, to ride around some sight we hadn't been to yesterday. With much more energy and in a much better mood, we peddled along, giggling like 6-year-olds. Visited more incredible sights, including one panoramic viewpoint from the top of a mountain of boulders that required trudging up about a thousand huge rock steps to the temple at the top. What we saw from there is again beyond words. Having biked and hiked for a couple hours in peak sun and heat (it is hot here - dry desert heat, so bearable, but hot) we were thrilled to be back in "town" to sit for 4 icy cold Cokes and some satisfying mac and cheese. I know, not very Indian, but it's what we needed.
Back to our room after a long lunch-time chat (one of many great ones we've had), to pack up and shower before tonight's overnight journey take-2. But this time, we have a deluxe AC Volvo sleeper bus, so should be a tad more comfy than 2 nights ago (and for a mere $4 more!).
Back in Goa tomorrow morning, to the south this time, for some quiet secluded beach time. Yeah, real tough life we're living. I can understand if you're getting a teeny bit sick of hearing how wonderful everything is!
May your life be filled with such beauty as well, whatever form it may take...
After a cheap, cramped, bumpy (to put it very mildly) overnight bus ride to get here from Panjim, Blaire and I were not feeling uber-pleasant when we pulled up at 8am. But just looking around quickly changed that. We were surrounded by enormous sandy-orangy boulders, and mountains of them for as far as the eye can see, spotted here and there with beautifully carved temples and ruins. It is described as the result of volcanic activity followed by erosion, but I'm still at a loss to understand how the site can be so gigantic. The site and scope remind me of Angkor Wat in Cambodia, but the scenery is quite different. Yesterday, Blaire and I got a tuk-tuk guided tour of part of the grounds, with a great, friendly driver. Our last stop was the sunset look-out... mesmerizing. That's all I'll say about it until photos.
Today, after a great and much needed sleep, I went up to our guesthouse rooftop to watch the sun rise over a palmtree-lined horizon. Absolute beauty. When Blaire got up, not much later, we headed to the river ghats where the "mascot" elephant, Lakshmi, would be given her daily bath. We sat on the steps and waited for her arrival. After about half an hour, we heard a voice from behind saying, "Please clear the way." We were sitting just below where Lakshmi was making her descent! She walked right by us, into the river, and slowly bent her knees to lay down for her morning scrub. Every day, around 9am, she gets a two-hour serious scrub-down. We stayed for half. When she turned over to have her second side done, we figured we had seen enough.
Then we went to rent our pretty pink basket bikes, to ride around some sight we hadn't been to yesterday. With much more energy and in a much better mood, we peddled along, giggling like 6-year-olds. Visited more incredible sights, including one panoramic viewpoint from the top of a mountain of boulders that required trudging up about a thousand huge rock steps to the temple at the top. What we saw from there is again beyond words. Having biked and hiked for a couple hours in peak sun and heat (it is hot here - dry desert heat, so bearable, but hot) we were thrilled to be back in "town" to sit for 4 icy cold Cokes and some satisfying mac and cheese. I know, not very Indian, but it's what we needed.
Back to our room after a long lunch-time chat (one of many great ones we've had), to pack up and shower before tonight's overnight journey take-2. But this time, we have a deluxe AC Volvo sleeper bus, so should be a tad more comfy than 2 nights ago (and for a mere $4 more!).
Back in Goa tomorrow morning, to the south this time, for some quiet secluded beach time. Yeah, real tough life we're living. I can understand if you're getting a teeny bit sick of hearing how wonderful everything is!
May your life be filled with such beauty as well, whatever form it may take...
Do you sometimes think that you could still be teaching at Chambly Academy this semester? Does your present life at all compare?
ReplyDeleteIf not, let's have some good thoughts for all teachers and let's pray that schools soon evolve toward being more centered on students needs.
Well I certainly wouldn't be feeling this way if I were!
DeleteGood thoughts for education indeed... positive change is happening :)
Sounds like you're having an awesome time with Blaire! It's so cool that you get to do this with her, and reconnect after so many years!! Maybe one day I'll get the chance to travel with her too :-P
ReplyDeleteYa it's been amazing. She's a perfect travel companion! Maybe you should tell her about your Africa plans ;)
Delete