Preamble: Hampi – Tale of Two Civilizations
Day 1: Hampi – Land of Boulders
Day 2: Hampi – UNESCO World Heritage Site
Day 3: Hampi – More Temples & Monuments
Day 4: Daroji Sloth Bear Sanctuary | Sanapur Lake (Hippie Island)
The Drs dragged me out of bed at the crack of dawn, 6 a.m., for a morning stroll. We traipsed through the forested area of the resort along the river, just like the night before. But this time, we were navigating over big boulders, and let me tell you, I needed a helping hand pretty much every step of the way. But hey, it was a blast!
Eventually, we stumbled upon a spot where the water currents had carved patterns into the exposed riverbed – totally mind-blowing stuff. I was freezing in my pyjamas, but hey, I’ve endured European winters for 5 years – I’ve got this!
Back at the resort, we chowed down on our complimentary brekkie, and it was time for the Drs to bid farewell. I couldn’t thank them enough for squeezing in this trip amidst their crazy schedules. I owe them big time.
Daroji Sloth Bear Sanctuary
Next up on my agenda: sloth bears at Daroji Sloth Bear Sanctuary. It was way out on the other side of town, near Kamalapur, where I was crashing at a homestay. Poor Ganesh was probably sick of all the back-and-forth driving. But I was pumped for this experience! Sloth bears in the wild are usually night owls, so catching a glimpse during the day is like winning the lottery. I’ve seen ’em before in Dudhwa and Satpura Wildlife Sanctuaries, but this one was all about the bears.
I got up close and personal with ’em, but it was a bit of a staged affair by the forest authorities to reel in tourists. Alongside the bears, I spotted a Ruddy Mongoose and some peacocks. It’s one of those activities you can skip unless you’ve never laid eyes on a bear in your life.
While I was there, I bumped into Mr. Oberoi, a retired textile businessman from Amsterdam. He must’ve been in his 80s, hobbling along with a cane, but he was determined to see those bears. Major props to him! Not sure if he invited me to Amsterdam, but I’m itching to go back and catch up with some friends and Mr. Oberoi. I did my Masters at the University of Amsterdam, you know.
Sanapur Lake
On the way back to Hippie Island, I decided to swing by Sanapur Lake. This natural beauty, surrounded by stunning boulder hills, is a sight to behold. The road to get there winds through paddy and banana plantations, then snakes around massive boulders hanging precariously over the road. The vibe at Sanapur Lake is something else – you can even hop on a coracle ride offered by the local villagers. Plus, it’s not overrun by tourists, which is a huge plus.
By the time I wrapped up at Sanapur Lake, Bailey and Josie were up for a late-night dinner. I swung by their campsite and we headed to a buzzing cafe nearby. It’s crazy to think we only met a day ago, and here we were, kicking back and hanging out like old pals.
After dinner, I dropped them off and we promised to meet up again somewhere else in the world.
January 2024
If you’re planning a trip to Hampi or travel through Karnataka / India, we at HappyHorizon would be thrilled to curate your holiday plans to enhance overall travel experiences. Feel free to reach out to us: connect@happyhorizon.in
Day 5: Vineyard @ Koppal | Aihole | Pattadakal
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Sukumar Jain, a Mumbai-based finance professional with global experience, is also a passionate traveler, wildlife enthusiast, and an aficionado of Indian culture. Alongside his career, which includes diverse roles in international banking and finance, he's working on a wildlife coffee table book and enjoys sculpture and pottery. His interests span reading non-fiction to engaging in social and global networking.
