Hubli to Mumbai

Our last stop on the journey: Mumbai. I was not looking forward to this part, truth be told. I thought it would be a harsh dismount being in the big city... but Mumbai is actually quite endearing (maybe?). We're at the JW Marriot - Juhu now - that helps. Everyone is bending over backwards. Kateri and Katie have hired a driver/guide this afternoon to take us to the Taj hotel and Gateway, etc. Also, shopping - we found a magic shop. 

P.S.: We still miss Hampi a lot! :)

The Gateway

The Gateway

Drinks at Leopold Cafe

Barely got a shot of "June 8 Cafe" - Katie wanted that for Morrie!

Most of the day touring, this is our view. 

In front of the Taj hotel

Kateri and Katie visited Dharavi Slum yesterday (while I worked) and then we went shopping/sightseeing in old town. 

Today, another visit to the magic shop on the way to the airport this afternoon to stay the night and be there for the 4 a.m. flight home.

The slum clinic. Katie brought some supply donations.

Taj at the magic shop. Upstairs, a room full of magic carpets.

Hampi to Hubli

Feb 5: We went hot air ballooning this morning! Back to Evolve Back for a lovely breakfast with a couple from Goa (who live in D.C.) This afternoon, we're heading back to Hubli (a relatively easy 2.5 hour car ride). Staying at The President hotel (for a super early flight to Mumbai tomorrow morning).

It was super hard to leave. That's Santosh on the right, our guide. We had just delivered a printer to the local school we visited the day before.

We're in Hubli now. Dinner -snacks and tea- were on the top floor, lake view, jungle vibe. But all of us were noticably depressed not being in Hampi! Sigh... :/  Got to bed early for a 5:30 departure to Hubli airport. 

 

We're in Hampi!

We've arrived in Hampi :)... after a 3 a.m. boat ride from Poovar, a 1-hour taxi to the airport, 2 plane rides, and a 2.5 car hire...we've arrived at a palace! A beautiful sunset too from the balcony. Evolve Back Hampi.  

View from the entrance of the room, where the flutist was playing when we arrived...

Sunset view from the balcony... (with a hot tub - don't mind if I do)!

Photos from this morning's trip to Shree Vijaya Vitthala Temple

Everywhere, people wanted our photo. ;)

A royal snack stop.

Back at Evolve Back

Here's "a few" from today's epic sunrise hike and sunset adventure. Thanks to Santosh for being our guide. Our driver took us to his village for lunch and we stopped by and met his mom and visited a school at the end of our day. SUCH a lovely and epic day. None of us want to leave...

The sunrise hike. So beautiful.

Sunset at Hemakuta Hill