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Other entries in Hampi

Hot Hot Hot

Woke up around 7, so decided to walk down to the river and watch the temple elephant have her morning bath, along with most of the town I think.

She was lying down in the river, and her keeper was scrubbing her tough skin with what looked like pumice, or some kind of stone. It looked a lot of effort for him.

A few other foreigners had ventured out as well, and were nearby with their cameras out also. They were getting swamped by small wet kids all wanting 'one photo! one photo!', and since they obliged to the first few, everyone else saw and came running. I managed to conceal my camera, and only gave away the odd handshake now and then. It may sound a little harsh, but you literally get mobbed otherwise, and after 2months of it, I'm getting a little tired of repeating my county, name, mothers name, fathers name, and shaking hands with every child within shouting range of the first.

After some simple breakfast, I hired a bike and went off to make my way around ruins within a fort nearby. The weather is just amazing. They say this is off season, but I can't imagine high season being any better. Its probably cooler and cloudier.

Again, wow.

I saw ruins from the king's and queen's quarters, the elaborate water system supplying the buildings, the elephant stables where the state elephants used to reside, as well as numerous temples.

In the afternoon, I walked in the baking heat (only blue sky, sun high in the sky, flat rock beneath feet, about 40 degrees C) for half an hour to reach a temple, 'the highlight of the hampi ruins'. And it was.

The designs here where more complex, grander and just more impressive. There was also a chariot carved from stone, where the wheels where actually capable of turning. I hope my pictures are good (I certainly took a lot) because you really need to see to understand, although to be honest, you really need to visit.

I had planned to walk a bit further and explore another town, but it was just so hot (not really humid, just pure heat) that I decided to head back instead. I drank 5 litre bottles of water today, and a few cokes and limcas.

A train ticket to Goa had been booked for me, leaving at 6:30 tomorrow morning. I could imagine myself spending a lot longer here in Hampi, but I've seen a lot and it'll do me for now.

A huge meal tonight of finger chips, the same pasta, a nuttela pancake and pineapple fritters (pieces of pineapple in a batter with honey to dip them in)

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