HAMPI Vijayanagara Ruins

A few images from my weekend visit to this incredible World Heritage Site and bouldering capital of India. Definitively worth the detour, the contrasting colours of the ruins against the green palm groves, banana plantations and endless paddy fields is simply breathtaking!

 

View from the top of the Hanuman (Monkey) Temple

Here we go to a little Weekend trip to Hampi...

Filling up with delicious Dosas before the bus trip

The 10-12h journey from Goa to Hampi can be traveled by train although it is necessary to book weeks in advance and consequently, I decided to experienced the Sleeper Bus...

Other means of transport...

 

 HAMPI Vijayanagara Ruins Map

Virupaksha Temple

The Queen's Bath

Ice Cream anyone?

 

  While waiting for the ferry to cross the Thungabadra River

 

Fisherman at work

 

Elephant's Bath Time

We found a nice GuestHouse located on the opposite side of the river from Hampi Bazaar. Surrounded by velvet green rice fields, this little corner of Paradise basks in a serene and comfortable atmosphere

 

Witnessing the last rays of light over this spectacular World Heritage Site from the Place (& Temple) of Lord Hanuman

 

Who said bare simplicity could not be synonym of breathtaking beauty!?

Contrasting realities of GOA

where human's footprint steals the show from nature's beauty!

Between the remnants of the Portuguese colonial influence, some creative architecture extravaganzas, innumerable and flamboyant temples, and the flora's shades of green, enough is there to keep your eyes from boredom. Although, regardless this rich legacy of historic and natural heritage, too often my eyes seem to land on something as colorful and diverse but less glorious than old church and mansions or stunning flowers and birds, but our inevitable footprint ...

 

Witnessing the awakening of Anjuna on my early walks after yoga practice...

Anjuna's road side – between yoga practice and breakfast locations...

Spacious beautiful houses.. - outside of Anjuna

Not everyone can afford big mention type residences... - camp near Morjim

Only when up at dawn, one can capture Anjuna's serenity...

Chaotic Calangute Corner Store / Barbershop / Mechanic and Bus stop...

Goa is also agile monkeys playing pranks on everyone, herds of goats and cows wandering the busy streets but also, important populations of stray dogs. I was told that some local and international organizations work at providing assistance to the dogs in need and also somehow reducing rabies occurrences. What I personally observe is, that there is lots of stray dogs everywhere and while walking alone early or late in the day, one need not be afraid of being welcomed by a herd of barking dogs! Regardless their sometimes really bad aspects, they are usually friendly and only begging for some food, love and/or a belly scratch...

3 dogs, 1 person... and 5 more dogs behind me ;)

Cows always have priority!

Away from the ever-expanding industrial and urban centers, Goa's environment does not escape the tourism related pressures. One would think that tourism provides incentives to preserve Goa natural and esthetic resources but the reality is otherwise; the related touristic activities aggravates the problem. The same can be fund anywhere in the world. Tourists are attracted by the cultural and natural particularities of the host environment but also require their basic needs such as food and logging to be fulfilled during their stay. When the demand exceeds what the supporting environment can provide with, many issues arise. Untreated sewage and partially cremated bodies are often dumped directly into rivers, while open defecation is a simple fact of life. These rivers travel throughout India, accumulating heavy metals and pathogens although remaining people's unique water source. In Goa, poor water quality (a traveler friend did some analysis and believe me, you don't want to know what is in tap water...) and garbage disposal are obviously concerns that soon or later will require some investment to be dealt with. The question remains who will pay the bill?
 

As a tourist, I am as guilty as any other foreigner. Our consumption (in terms of energy, water, food, etc) highly exceeds locals resources usages. 

Also, I came blindly to Anjuna - Goa to practice yoga. 

Really interesting weekend Workshop with Praveena Sri Arunji

And to cross path with an amazing individual whose endless unconditional love is remarkable. Rolf was also in Mysore when I was for the first time introduced to yoga (about 22 yrs ago...) under the guidance of Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, another remarkable individual. 

 

Rolf and I on my birthday.

I feel blessed to have had the chance to cross path with Rolf in both my lives. Having the opportunity to practice Ashtanga with him further strengthen my desire to make some room in my life to reengage myself in the yoga path.

In terms of destination, Anjuna ranks rather low on my top list. Although, I must admit that while coming to Anjuna I did not research about the place nor I asked for further information. Let's be honest, this is a party-lover destination! Trance music is a constant background noise and drugs can be found everywhere. A bit of a contrast with the yoga scene but hey, this is India after all!

Looking for the next party in town?

Numerous Temples & Churches are fund all over and Hindu & Catholic rituals are omnipresent. This contrast with the touristic party scene...

When I am asked how to describe India, my answer is always the same: “India is everything but what you expect!”

Lonely Planet also sums it well:
”India is an incredibly diverse country with everything from steamy jungles and tropical beaches to arid deserts and the soaring ice peaks of the Himalaya. It is the second-largest Asian country after China, and forms the vast bulk of the South Asian subcontinent – an ancient block of earth crust that carried a wealth of unique plants and animals like a lifeboat across a prehistoric ocean before slamming into Asia about 40 millions years ago. India is home to 18% of the world's population, crowded together on 2.5% of the world's landmass.”

Goa, land of endless opportunities...

 Goa, land of endless opportunities where laziness prevails... 

Accessible throughout the entire coast, the sea provides diverse touristic attractions and food source for both locals and tourists

Sunset from Anjuna's cliffs

Anjuna Beach

 

Anjuna Beach

Fishermen cleaning their nets near Baga

Fish - Assagao market

Fishermen - Morjim (where the Chapora river meets the sea)

Cruise boats for crocodile and birds sightseeing - Morjim

Sunset and free artistic performances at Arambol Beach

INDIA - GOA - Fruits, food and more...

DELICIOUS SOUTH INDIAN FOOD

Mapusa Market

Fruits - Mapusa Market

Just outside of my bedroom door are found a great diversity of fruit-trees....

Jackfruit tree

Banana Tree

Chikoofruit Tree

Cashew nuts

I was also lucky enough to see the Coconut guy as it is said to be a specie at risk...

Look carefully, no harness, bare hands and feet, and solely equipped with a rope to keep his feet together. According to the owner of my Guest House only few people with such skills remain and they are difficult to find during the coconut season!

The Coconut guy, a specie at risk...

The Coconut guy, a specie at risk...

Spices – Anjuna's Market

 

Fresh Sugar Cane Juice

Barbequed corn anyone?

Every single street stand offers all sorts of fried goodies served in a PAV (bun) pronounced “pão” meaning bread in Portuguese ;)

 

One of my favorites, vegetarian and mostly gluten free!

 

Idli: spongy, round, fermented rice cake
Sambar: soupy lentil dish with cubed vegetables
Dosa: Large savoury crêpe made from rice flour folded and filled with a variety of vegetables and spices, simply DELECIOUS!

Uttapam: thick rice pancake cooked in a pan with a selection of topping similar to a pizza. Also pretty yummy!
Bhazi: ??
Thali: main dish of rice, dalh (lentil soup) and a few different chutneys (chickpeas and/or vegetables and spices)
 
And not to forget, the great variety of freshly pressed fruit juices and lassi made with curd (obtained by curdling / coagulating milk by adding lemon juice or vinegar.
 

Not all Indians are vegetarians and chicken, beef and goat are usually found on the menu lists and/or wandering the streets ;)

Goat crossing on Anjuna's main street

Thali's menu on the main street

Real strategic place for a Baskin & Robbin ice cream shop; opposite from the main street Bus Stop!