Hampi: Everything you want to know.

machadinha

I dunno, but you should know even better than I how (some, generally, generalizing, blah) Indians can be overprotective and tell you you'll get raped robbed and murdered (and generally lost and underfed ) if you so much as venture out alone. I know it's all well-meant and there's a point of pride to look after you as well (and certainly as family I'm very sure), but people can easily exaggerate any hassles or dangers in that very same process.

I reckon you'll be fine just going on your own; I know I was, and I don't speak any Indian languages. Sure, you can expect some touristy hassle, but nothing worse than a Western tourist might run into I'm quite sure. (And that does mean I've seen domestic tourists freak out over all the hassle like any Western tourist might.) (And well, I've said before the most culture-shocked people I ran into there would invariably be foreigners of Indian origin. My theory is it has to do with the conflict with their own expectations or possibly memories, plus overwhelming family bonds and duties [some of them would tell me so] and so on.) But really, I wouldn't worry too much about it. Other Indians travel to areas where their native tongue isn't widely spoken, right. Besides, tourist areas will no doubt attract tradespeople from all over the country anyway. I'll bet you anything there'll be Kashmiri sellers by now! (By now, as I can't remember many in Hampi specifically, but this was some time ago and going by reports and pics here it's been quite a bit more developed in the meantime, and of course they tend to stereotypically be all over the place anyway.)

Have fun there btw I do suppose you'll find at least some Hindi and/or Marathi spoken, yes. Can't promise you though, obviously.

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skk

You got THAT right ; and yes, its definitely well meant. Hmmm, I'll work on diplomatically persuading them that I'll be ok - one step that comes to mind is to email the tourist office in Hampi, asking for a Marathi guide, in Marathi, something like this:

"क्रुपया मला मराठी बोळणारा guide मीळेल का ? " (Please find me a Marathi speaking guide).

I use the free baraha software, btw - http://www.baraha.com/

And then promise that I'll frequent Marathi speaking joints. Also that I'll call every step of the way - Thank God for cell phones and SMS( but not in IM ).

Yeah, that might do the trick.

Other views on Marathi usage in Hampi ?

-skk

snonymous

SKK

In Hampi, anyone concerned with the tourist industry, especially the guides and the souvenir vendors, speaks adequate English, Hindi, Kannada, and perhaps some local variant of Deccan style Marathi such as is spoken in Bijapur, as well as a smattering of Telugu and Tamil! Nowadays with the influx of foreign visitors, I believe several locals also speak adequate French, German, Russian and Hebrew!
When we went there in 2002, everyone spoke English. Even though my dad speaks very fluent Kannada having spent his childhood in Mysore, it was not required for interpretation. I speak fairly good Marathi, but did not notice anyone speaking Marathi as such. English, Kannada and a bit of Hindi is what I remember.

Have a wonderful holiday.

nayan

English and hindi are enough to get by in Hampi..... just as the others have said.

It is not a very "developed" tourist spot so not much opportunity of being taken it.

There is a very nice rustic feel ..... and the number of tourist souvenir shops are very less. There are no hassling touts.

In my last trip to hampi(nov 2007), we had our own car and stayed in Hotel Mallagi in Hospet. I had stayed in guest houses in hampi in my earlier trips and wanted a more "luxe" experience this time.

BTW Beech's guide is spot on.... I have used it for all my trips to Hampi.

skk

This sounds quite workable, with or without Marathi. Thanks much.

-skk

chAos

The first thought that popped into my mind: your nephew and his wife want a trip...

skk

O we of little faith ! Yeah.. me too - I wouldn't have minded it, may have even welcomed it if it was the OTHER nephew - but this one is pretty religious ( what the hell did my generation do, or not do, in India to bring this upon us ?) pretty mainstream Hindu religious, nothing overly off the wall, but it will still get a little boring, especially the holding my tongue bit..

-skk

ysb

Hello! Does anybody know e-mail of Goan Corner guest house? I can't find it anywhere

Thx a lot!

salviadivinorum

yep the ruins are too cool... after doing a drop or too we could check out some old chariots and horses running by too. having a party next to tungabhadra would be fun too.

i was a lil bonkers shopping there...

u get these amazinly old stuff there like coins and bells and stone artifects... UV painting and so much of jazz almost half as expensive as what u'd pay in goa for it.

water and air is clean... people are nice, food is great

we stayed next to the hampi market and paid just Rs. 250 for a room.
ampi market is the main Bazaar and temple complex... life revolves around it.

we reached hospet by 0545 so when we hit hampi sun was coming up... we actually go thru the ruins to get anywhere in and around Hampi... thts what it is...

old city which is still quite untouched so u see old monuments etc from anywhere u stand around it... even from the window in your room.. as if u on the terrace its even better.

and Hampi Sunsets are legendry all over the world.
then head to Hampi. and u could do this from october to March anytime...that is if u wanna catch up a party.Best time to visit is Nov - Dec the best time

Will connect ,

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ananth_tm

Do anyone know if it is easy to get accomodation in Hampi during Christmas weekend?

thanks in advance

Ali-Monbeam

we booked for xmas and had trouble 3 months ago finding somewhere, but there are 3 of us.

salempeacock

I have given some phone numbers in my previous reply. Try them. This being the peak season you may not be able to get bookings. But once you reach Hospet or Hampi get an auto riksha and he will take you to hotels and surely get you a room. There are no big hotels in Hampi. But hundreds of small family run hotels which contain from 3 to 10 rooms (run by the womenfolk mostly). So no problem there.

ananth_tm

thanks a lot

drzog

A museum in Melbourne Australia is holding this exhibition on Hampi

several excellent weblinks show some virtual panorama's and photos. (flash required)

http://www.place-hampi.museum/contents/lighttable.html
http://www.place-hampi.museum/contents/map.html

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yours in health

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diane123

I'm totally baffled by all this helpful info and now feel very relaxed about going to Hampi. The only thing I would like to know is -are there any dangerous creepy crawlies and snakes hiding in the rocks - would like to know so that I can warn my family to be careful. Thanks to anyone who care to reply.