We arrive in Hampi around 3:30 and the first thing I notice is the landscape, boulders of all shapes and sizes surround the countryside and I half expect to see Fred Flintstone coming round the corner.

We check into our Guest House, a very relaxed place next to rice paddies. Every hut has a hammock outside, just the thing to spend lazing away the hot afternoons.

After freshening up and checking out our new surroundings a few of us head to Hanuman Temple. We climb the 575 steps to take in the amazing views and watch the sunset with the resident monkeys.

The next morning we load up on sunscreen and water, it’s going to be a hot one and we have lots of exploring to do. I didn’t know what to expect of this place that became a World Heritage Site in 1980 but I was more than pleasantly surprised. What a unique place, so many old temples and ruins to see, we really need a lot more time.

We cross a small river by boat hoping to see an elephant that comes daily to bath but we miss him. Several people are bathing however fully dressed I guess they’re doing their laundry at the same time.

This cheeky monkey stole a bunch of bananas from a man and sat there cramming them in until his cheeks bulged out while carefully guarding his stash.

This elephant gives blessings, for a fee of coarse which he collects with his trunk and gives to his keeper. I hope he’s well fed.

Cuddles

Ruins with the Hanuman Temple top of the hill in the background

Ah Bedrock, if only I had more time to explore your treasures and relax in the hammock but off we go again. We catch a night train to our next destination.