Hampi continued to deliver as I found my way into the climbing scene via Goan Corner. I arrived midday and checked into my spot, one of about twenty beds on the roof terrace for only Rs.200 ($3) a night.

Backpacker style... Making my own bedside porridge! 

My first day here was restful and not too social as I eased from cave life into my more extroverted self. I met up with a friend from my vipassana course, kind Tilla from Hungary, who was staying on the main/temple side of the river. We ordered a delicious dinner which the chef agreed to show us how to make, making it that much more delicious.

We walked amidst boulders and temples and monkeys and tourists to a sunset overlook. I could barely make out the rock outcrop where the caves were under last light of the disappearing sun. 

I met up with her again the following morning for a sunrise hike. After a short, steep climb we found ourselves overlooking the entire valley from all directions. We nestled into our own meditation/yoga spaces and I flowed with the rising sun. After a bit we shared some fruit and explored the temple at the top of the hill.

The views in Hampi are unbeatable, I was in constant awe no matter which direction I looked. Hampi gives off this ancient energy... From a geology standpoint, it's one of the oldest exposed surfaces on the earth and the unique balancing boulders are a result of over a billion years of weathering and erosion. It's no wonder that historic civilizations were drawn to this area to create beautifully carved temples for deities over the centuries. I often found myself so humbled by this landscape and felt as if I had woken up thousands of years in the past, to a simpler time.

Goan Corner is named after a classic bouldering problem (made famous by pro-climber Chris Sharma in a movie) and sits among other awesome boulders just above the rice fields and guest houses on a rock plateau. The whole area is brimming with high quality bouldering problems for all skill levels and is considered the largest bouldering area in the WORLD. I don't doubt it, there are boulders as far as the eye can see, with some of the best being no more than a ten minute walk from the hostel. For climbers of the world, this place is the mecca.

After going up to the climbing plateau one evening, I had met nearly everyone I'd be climbing with that whole week. It became a routine to meet at 6am to get on rock before the sun was up, watch the sunrise with the warm-up routes, eventually having to climb in the shade or head back for breakfast. Midday would be too hot so evening climbing would start again around 5 and continued through the sunset, and even into the dark with headlamps occasionally! That meant there was plenty of time in the middle of the day for perusing the guidebook, slacklining, napping in hammocks, reading, exploring temples, swimming, and more! But mainly relaxing ;)

I even led an informal yoga class for about 6 folks one morning and got a bunch of positive feedback! I want to get back into the space where I'm confidently teaching, so maybe another yoga teacher training is on the horizon for me. Another day I spent an hour playing 4-on-4 volleyball games with all guys and tried to hold my own, and our team only lost by a couple points! Plenty of fun ways to pass the days :)

Late start morning, ft. Pug

I was amazed at skill of some of the climbers I met... Many of who were traveling purely for climbing and had a deep passion for the sport. I hadn't climbed in probably four months so I was a bit rusty, but I found others around my skill level and we worked together on a lot of the same projects. 

Nothing beats being on these stunning granite outcrops for both sunrise and sunset everyday, surrounded by local and international climbers, kids selling chai out of thermoses, temple music and bird calls echoing in the rocks, and the adrenaline rush of topping out on countless beautiful boulders!

Found myself in my element in these elements! 

My final day in Hampi was one for the books. Had some proper sends in the morning, including a fun highball climb that I flashed, down-climbed, and supported three other friends to overcome their fears and do the same! (Ask me for translation from climbing lingo ;) )

We had some well-earned breakfast and about 9 of us headed into town to rent motorbikes. I drove one with my friend Evie on the back and surprised myself with my confidence with operating it over the bumpy roads.. it was such a blast. We arrived at the base of Anjaneya Hill and climbed the 575 steps to the "Monkey Temple" at the top, dedicated to the monkey warrior god Hanuman, who according to Hindu mythology was born on top of this hill. 

And it is actually covered in monkeys!

But in the middle of the day, the heat was nearly unbearable and the rock surface was burning our bare feet so we didn't stay long. As we walked along the top exclaiming "oh, ah, ee!" Evie joked that's how the monkeys got the sounds they make haha! We quickly cruised down, seeking some relief from the heat. We had gotten word of a (possibly corocodile-infested) lake that was nice for swimming so we headed there. We crossed over a dam (okay so maybe it's a dammed river, not a proper lake) and found a sandy beach. And it was lovely! No crocodiles, only a few people (at first), little trash/debris, and niiiice cool water!

After a couple hours of floating, playing, and dancing, we headed back into town for dinner. To top off a delicious meal, my mate Ralph found a puppy and the momma! It doesn't get better than this... I had the most touching goodbye yet, filled with hugs and kisses and smiles and a big full heart.

Hampi was a dream come true for so many reasons. I was reminded how energized I get by being around friends, even ones I've only known for a short time, and to have big belly laughs on the daily! I felt open and joyous and free and filled with love. And that's made all the introspection and loneliness and isolation worth it, because I now get to celebrate in the extoversion and friendships and free-flowing fun!

Bring on the next dance :)