Day 21: Preparing for Holi

Hampi is beautiful! Rocks of all sizes are scattered throughout the city. The blocks appear to be finely polished and have few edges and corners. Some are lonely and alone, while others are stacked in wild rock formations. It's a mystery how this unnatural-looking landscape was formed. It is believed that this entire area was underwater many years ago and was covered by the ocean.

Upon arriving at the hostel, I met a couple that I had previously met at the train station in Varanassi, again at the breakfast table in Hampi. Isn't it amazing how small India can be, despite millions of people?

We explored the small, charming town on a scooter and were particularly impressed by the Virupaksha Temple. It was full of monkeys, lurking and searching for food. Even cameras and phones were not safe from these little thieves! I held on tightly to my belongings and tried to take a few photos without being noticed by the monkeys. The feeding time worked in our favor, as they were at least slightly distracted. Lakshmi, the elephant, also welcomed us to the temple and greeted the guests with a gentle touch of its trunk on their foreheads in exchange for a small donation.

There was a beautiful secluded lake to discover further east. The rocks were reflected in the crystal-clear water. Small round boats crossed the lake calmly and slowly, ferrying tourists to the other side. A few vendors sold their fresh coconuts in the shade, offering a refreshing treat for visitors. It was the perfect place to recharge after a tiring 12-hour bus ride.

Before the day came to an end, we stocked up on many colorful powders to celebrate an unforgettable Holi festival, the Festival of the Hindus. As a symbol of the triumph of good over evil, numerous people throw bright colors at each other and celebrate joyously with drums on the streets. I wanted to be well-prepared as part of the celebration, so I bought a cheap outfit with numerous colors for just a few cents, which I will surely never wear again.