Gokarna and Hampi

Again so much has happened.. I am famous. Let's start at the beginning;

Gokarna

The trainride to Gokarna was wonderfull, hanging our legs out of the train and seeing all the beautiful landscape rush past. We found an amazing beach where we stayed. Playing cricket with the locals, chilling on the beach, going into town (holy pelgrim town) and seeing lots of beautiful people, holy men, temples in which we weren't alowed in unfortunately, dirty toilets, but you get used to it..

One day we were chilling on the beach, we saw a filmcrew shooting a music video. The producer and the invester joined us on our rug, followed by 12 other men and gave us a few beers, then they brought fresh fish and salad, Duncan is, according to them, the most sexy man of London, we got invited to have a big lunch with the crew, so we met the 'hero' of the clip and had beautifull rice. So hospitable, unbelievable! Then they asked if I wanted to be in the videoclip, how could I refuse..?! 4 other westerners got picked of the beach and, well, it's a bit corny but so funny, the pictures tell the story.. Duncan got an offer to play in a hindi movie, that'll be in feb, he has to do a motorbike chase, he's contemplating a carreer change!

Hampi

Well, then, after our 15 minutes of fame we got the sleeperbus to Hampi. 10 hours on bumpy roads but very romantic in it's own funny way. Hampi is an old city which used to be very rich and succesful untill the muslims took over(no sign of muslim now, very Hindu). It is, again, a holy city. It has about 400 temples around and it is situated in a very weird landscape with lots of bolders, like a giant put them there very carefully. In the main bazaar where we're staying is a big temple with the holy elephant Laksmi. We got blessed by her. Every morning she has a bath in the river and then walkes back to her temple. We visited the temple and had a guide with us who told us a lot and blessed us. He gave an extra blessing for Duncan's heart what concered us a little, but hey, atleast it's blessed now!

We rented bicycles and cycled around all the temples, most of which are ruins, but amazing, especially in that landscape. They are everywhere you look, stunning, it's like stepping back in time!

Because Hampi is a holy town it is vegetarian and "dry", so no alcohol. But Duncan and Ellen wouldn't be duncan and Ellen if they wouldn't find one bar that sells chicken and rum. We have a nice group of Dutch people around us. Usually I hate meeting other Dutchies while, but these are all very cool! Definately going to stay in touch!

We'll be chilling out here for a few more days because there are much more temples to be seen and then we will be going to Kerala, the backwaters. Supposed to be stunning..

I'll try and fix this site so people can leave reactions, so feel free!

Lots of love from Incredible India,

Dunc and Ell

Goa North and South

Well, again so many adventures.. Mumbai was an unforgettable culture shock, but we were quite happy to get away from the noise. We flew to North Goa, lovely place. We made some new friends, Ryan, Hardy, Jiskel and Vinod. Ryan owns the local bar. Very nice, do check it out if you are there; Jikoni. They took us out at night to a place called Mapusa where all the locals eat. At first we were a bit cautious because all the food was made on the street and dogs were running around, but it was amazing. Very fresh, very tasty. Everyone was more than willing to have their photo taken.





While we were in north Goa there was a festival on, pretty much the Indian New year. The days before everyone makes a big Narkasura, the Demon, and at night they burn them all. Duncan and I had rented a Royal Enfield and together with our new friends we drove around, looked at all the demons, it was such a special atmosphere.. In Europe everyone would be drunk but no, not here... There is so much spirituality around and I love it. Little temples where everyone makes their offers to their gods..

So now we're in South Goa, Palolim, which is more relaxed, beautifull beaches, less tourists, absolute paradise. Lots of palmtrees, we're staying in a bamboo hut with traditional indian toilet which Duncan has not been enjoying since he's been quite ill recently, poor thing.. But it is a beautifull place, 5 minutes walk from the beach yet in the middle of the jungle. (Monkeys and snakes..)




The beach is beautiful, I love the holy cows who seem quite happy there.. Oh, there are so many pictures i want to post here, nut i just can't... You'll all have to do with these..

Loving India with it's smells, sounds, tastes and colours..!

Just some random pics of us here:

first impressions

Well, here we are then, in probably the most weird full-on fantastic city either of us have ever been in. Duncan and Ellen in Mumbai. Lots of honks, crossing the street is a life threatning experience. Beautiful people, amazing kids, lots of colours, happy people, mind-blowing temples, great curry's. So busy yet so efficiently chaotic, don't get how it all works.

Lots of hasstling, but we're getting better at avoiding it or ignoring it, which is very hard if it is a young kid.

Looking at the 'laundremat' and stunned how they get the sheets so white out of that brown water. People work hard, trying to earn some bucks.

A coke costs about 0.20 euro, a full meal for two including beer is about 5,-

We still haven't got the shits which is probably a good thing. I'm quite surprised about that..!

Today we went to elephanta cave, an island just off of Mumbai, 1500 year old temples, amazing to see.. Most amazing shiva statues, pics will follow soon! Lots of stray dogs and monkeys, very cute..

All in all, we both fell in love with India so far.

Off to Goa tomorrow, escape from the noise of the city.

Lots of love from Incredible India,

Duncan and Ellen