Gokarna is a small village in north west Karnataka on the west coast of India at the Adriatic Sea. The region of Goa is 50kms to the north as its more well known cousin. Pilgrims flock to Gokarna for the many temples and easy going pace of life. In fact the place was packed with Indian Tourists who had travelled far and wide to spend some time here. May is off-season for western tourists although a few lingered.
India May 2011 - Bus ride from hell
We had been warned. Our Irish friend, Maive, explained to us the night before how she would never recommend an overnight sleeper bus for travel around India. She told us of the drivers being notorious for ingesting pharmaceutical speed and living off a diet of whiskey. Taking one look at our bus driver's eyes, you could see he wasn't a healthy human-being and probably fitted into the stereotype Maive described.
We stuck it out a) thinking that our last bus ride wasn't so bad and b) through lack of another option but stick to plan. As we took off in a cloud of smoke, a grumbling diff and very hoarse exhaust - we thought the idea of a sleeper really was really quite good.
We stuck it out a) thinking that our last bus ride wasn't so bad and b) through lack of another option but stick to plan. As we took off in a cloud of smoke, a grumbling diff and very hoarse exhaust - we thought the idea of a sleeper really was really quite good.
India May 2011 Hampi - Stepping back in time
In a blaze of glory, as the bus kicked up a large dust storm signally the arrival of new visitors, "fresh meat", we arrived. Hampi is both a spiritual hub and also a tourist haven. Tour guides and tuk tuk drivers converged on us like hawks smelling fresh tourist blood - something we had been warned of.
We escaped the onslaught with firm NO's to all and made our way to the Shaanti Guest House. Apparently the better place to stay in town, it's jail-cell rooms and basic ammenities were modest at best. Nonetheless a welcome place to turn the ceiling fan on full and close ones eyes after the journey and rest.
We escaped the onslaught with firm NO's to all and made our way to the Shaanti Guest House. Apparently the better place to stay in town, it's jail-cell rooms and basic ammenities were modest at best. Nonetheless a welcome place to turn the ceiling fan on full and close ones eyes after the journey and rest.
India May 2011 - Bangalore to Hampi
Waking up to our second day, we were somewhat refreshed after a real sleep on a flat bed under the cooling flow and hypnotic click-thump-click-thump of the ceiling fan.
After a slow breakfast and chat with the owner in the cool of the verandah of the hostel we made for the nearest autorick-shaw. Two lessons of india here: one, the tuk-tuk and two, bargaining.
After a slow breakfast and chat with the owner in the cool of the verandah of the hostel we made for the nearest autorick-shaw. Two lessons of india here: one, the tuk-tuk and two, bargaining.
India May 2011 - Photos
Go to https://picasaweb.google.com/ajoest/IndiaMay2011# for all the photos from the trip...
This is a combination of both Sarah's great shots and my photos.
This is a combination of both Sarah's great shots and my photos.
India May 2011 - First impressions, Bangalore
After an average flight with Emirates (Hamburg via Dubai to Bangalore) we arrived to a modern Bengarulu airport in a mild heat with adventure in our minds.
I'm travelling with a long time friend Sarah to South India with the catalyst of the trip being to celebrate Avinash's (a mate from business school) wedding. We both came with grand ideas of exploring "Incredible india".
I'm travelling with a long time friend Sarah to South India with the catalyst of the trip being to celebrate Avinash's (a mate from business school) wedding. We both came with grand ideas of exploring "Incredible india".
India May 2011 - Intro
With the news that a buddy from business school was getting married in May, I began to plan a trip to India. Specifically to southern India. It has always been a destination on my to-travel list and what better catalyst than this.
This blog series outlines our trip landing into Bangalore, busing to Hampi, then across to Gokarna, training down to Alleppey and then back to the wedding in Bangalore. All of this happened in two weeks. Sleep was optional...
Our hosts were the groom, Avinash and also Praful, another business school mate. Both were magnificent hosts organising and playing tour-guide where possible. I was lucky to have a great travel buddy - Sarah, a long time friend who wanted to join and helped make it a memorable adventure. Also to join was Frederic from business school. We met a ton a fantastic people along the way.
I hope this set of notes (it may take a week or two to complete!) give you a snap-shot of our adventure. Photos will be posted to picasa and linked along the way.
This blog series outlines our trip landing into Bangalore, busing to Hampi, then across to Gokarna, training down to Alleppey and then back to the wedding in Bangalore. All of this happened in two weeks. Sleep was optional...
Our hosts were the groom, Avinash and also Praful, another business school mate. Both were magnificent hosts organising and playing tour-guide where possible. I was lucky to have a great travel buddy - Sarah, a long time friend who wanted to join and helped make it a memorable adventure. Also to join was Frederic from business school. We met a ton a fantastic people along the way.
I hope this set of notes (it may take a week or two to complete!) give you a snap-shot of our adventure. Photos will be posted to picasa and linked along the way.
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