November 1st - Hyderabad to Hospet

The third longest drive of the tour took us over 450 kms south-west to the southernmost point of the tour, the city of Hospet. Yesterday evening we had the most torrential downpour. Coaches had been laid on to take us for a dinner at an arts centre about 30 minutes from the hotel. The journey took nearly an hour and a half as all the roads were jammed with traffic. Roads became flooded and we were forced to return to the hotel.

This morning we rose to grey skies but little rain. We drove out of Hyderabad going past the Golconda Fort. The first 200 kms were on fast and traffic free roads, such a change from the traffic chaos in Hyderabad. Our first place to visit was Yadgir Rock, a fortified hill that looks, from afar, very similar to the Rock of Gibraltar.


The rock is covered with old fortifications. From there we drove about 60 kms to the small village of Mudgal. Mudgal has an old ruined fort which is being restored. We were able to drive through the fort and then through the centre of the village. It was a really interesting and enjoyable detour off the main road. As we passed one house a large group of children ran out cheering and waving. We stopped and they grouped together so that we could take a photo. A great moment to cherish.

A little further on we had to drive through one of the old gates to the fort, where we saw this elderly blind man sitting on a wall.

As we took a photo of him two young men on a motor bike stopped and, in perfect English, started asking us where we were from and where we were going. It was another example of the contrasts you experience all the time in India. Here was an old blind man begging, whilst two young Indians were driving a motorbike.

We left Mudgal and then stopped for a break by some massive granite stone blocks.

From there we had a long drive to the abandoned city of Hampi. The road now became much rougher with many sections of bad potholes. Potholes on Indian roads are an ever present hazard. You can be driving on a very smooth tarmac road and then suddenly you come across deep potholes that are a serious hazard. How Indian drivers cope at night I do not know? We passed through a small town where they were celebrating Diwali, and hundreds of children were walking in a parade through the main street of the town. There was a float with a festival queen. A band played and everyone came up to us wanting to say hello and try out their English! Another great moment.

The festival queen on her float.

We arrived at Hampi around 2 pm. Hampi is a World Heritage Site and covers an area of 25 square kilometres. Everywhere you go there are ruined temples and palaces. It truly is one of India's great wonders.The city was abandoned in the 16th century after the Muslim sultans defeated the Hindu inhabitants. The Lotus Mahal at Hampi.
 The great stone chariot with granite wheels that used to turn on granite axles.

Finally, the giant Virupaksha Temple built in the 7th century that rises to almost 50 metres!


We drove the final 12 kms into Hospet where we stayed at Hotel Malligi, a pretty basic hotel but with very friendly and helpful service.