After another overnight bus ride, I arrived in Hampi, home to 1,500 temples and the most stunning landscape ever! The prior capital of the Vajayanagara empire, today Hampi is a small village on the southern bank of the Tungabhadra River. The ruins here include some of the finest specimens of medieval Indian architecture and include not only religious temples, but military and civil structures. It is an amazing place!On my first day, I got invited to come on a hike with 2 French-Canadians, and a guy from France. We set off down the road, passing through banana plantations, the plants laden with stalks of bananas in various stages of development. After about 3km we came to a large area of huge black rocks which we climbed over, around, and down, and arrived at the rapids area. I submerged my feet in the cool water causing a large spray and accompanying rainbow - fabulous! I could have sat here for hours, but we once again mounted the rocks, many of which I needed a hand to ascend.
On the road back to town, we decided to go north on up the hill overlooking the town to the Krishna Temple complex. It was a very impressive edifice with elaborate carvings on the inner side of the gate as well as the temple itself with its many decorated columns. Dating to 1513 AD, this large and ornate temple complex contains fine stucco figures of warriors with shields, spirited horses and elephants.
