Reached!

The Lonely Planet is grossly inadequate with some of the important details of Hampi.

Hampi is a dry area, and I don't mean topographically! There is no alcohol available on the Hampi side of the Tungabhadra river. Its a sacred place with temples pockmarking the landscape, hence no alcohol, no narcotics and *drumroll* no non-veg!!! Luckily tobacco is allowed. The 'no smoking in public places' ruling isn't applicable in this tourist locale apparently, as all restaurants allow it.

Another important detail left out by the lonely planet is that there is no railway connectivity to Hampi. The train station closest is Hospet which is 13km away. We took an auto rickshaw for Rs.130 after bargaining and it took us 30 minutes to get to our destination. These were the most interesting 30 minutes I've ever had in a rick! We met Dollar (a.k.a Guru), a very colourful man with 4 firang girlfriends and a wife n 2 kids. He speaks Israeli and Russian along with English and Kanada! With him chatting us up non-stop, we reached Rocky Guest House.

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