“Hi Claire
Josh, who is 8, is studying Chembakolli in Geography this term. I know it is nowhere near you but maybe you could bring back something from India for him to take to school?
Thanks :)”

———————————————————————–
Dear Josh

I got your mom’s email when I was in a place called Hampi. It’s a very special place, and seemed so perfect for you because our mom says you love rocks!! Well, Hampi is well-known and loved for a few reasons but one of the main reasons is it’s incredible rock formations.

Unreal and bewitching, the forlorn ruins of Hampi, lie scattered over a landscape that leaves you spellbound: heaps of giant boulders perch precariously over miles of undulating terrain, their rusty hues offset by jade-green palm groves, banana plantations and paddy fields, while the azure sky painted with fluffy white cirrus adds to the magical atmosphere. A World Heritage Site, Hampi is a place where you can lose yourself among the ruins, or simply be mesmerised by the vagaries of nature, wondering how millions of years of volcanic activity and erosion could have resulted in a landscape so fascinating.

We spent many evenings perched on the boulders, feeling the wonderful warmth retained from the daytime sun against our skin, even as the evening air began to chill. If you love rocks, then you’ll love Hampi and I hope you get to go there one day. The boulders’ magnificent beauty make you catch your breath, and sometimes laugh at how utterly mad they look. Huge boulders balancing precariously on top of smaller ones that don’t seem to make sense.

I brought back two lovely bits of Hampi rock for you and a selection of photographs so you can see where they come from. The pinkish one is rock quartz crystal.

I hope you like your very own bits of India xxx