Since I started my trip, people here and there have been mentioning Hampi. But getting there (unless you’re in a couple of different spots) is a giant pain in the neck. My lady friend reminded me that I love going to the middle of nowhere to see something cool! So, from the tea plantations of Munnar, I took a 4 hour taxi to temple-city Madurai, visited their holy shrine, slept, and then spent a full day in transit and headed to Hampi, the site of countless ancient temples, and a long-gone 7th century civilization.
The buildings here are as spectacular as Angkor Wat, Tikal or Machu Piccu. Because it’s so hard to get to, tourism is not out of control busy, and because the buildings are spread out, you can often find yourself alone - which is of course lovely.
Lonely planet called it ‘otherworldly’, and an Israeli I met said it was like being on Mars. I don’t know that I’m on board, but it was definitely worth the time spent getting there.
Today I’ve been up since 5, and two auto rickshaws and a train later, I’m at the airport, heading to the Himalayas.
