The day 1 I had spent on the temple side of the Tungabhadra river exploring the architecture and temples. My advise would be to hire a guide which would take you to major places and explain their historical importance. I don't care how correct/incorrect they are because I am a sucker for stories of kings, their queens, the flourishing period of vijaynagara kingdom and how they were brought to destruction. Rent a cycle for as cheap as 50 rs for entire day, but do ensure that it is good and that you will be able to cycle it for the entire day. Also the cycle renters have a map for rs 10 with all the places to be seen on the temple side. Since the place has naturally big boulders, monolithic Ganesh, nandi can be seen which are carved out of one huge stone. Most of the sites are in ruins, but they fill me with a sense of imagination. How would the spice and silk bazars looked in their full glory, what kind of silk and stuff be sold here, what were the threads of human society same as today's etc.
Day 2 was spent on the other side of Tungabhadra river, where our guest house was. This side is an island and can be crossed in a coracle or a motor boat. This side is blessed with beautiful scenery of rice plantations, banana fields, boulders, streams of water. In short this is the most peaceful place I have ever been to. We went for a small trek around the island with a local guide who was born and brought up there. He took us to a waterfall. This is the side where all the firangs party in the "season". I can't imagine the party on the boulders with streams of river flowing on the sides with the view of boulders, trees all around. But I am sure that it would be magical. The whole place had me mesmerised with its natural beauty and this was the day I fell in love with the place. This day we also trekked to Mathanga Hills. This is a must as the view and wind at the top was amazing. I think I slept for some time after the trek.
Day 3 was spent trying my hands on bouldering or rock climbing for which this place is famous worldwide. Hampi has huge boulders formation naturally lying and it attracts rock climbing enthusiasts from around the world. I was reminded of my weak upper body and gave up after 3-4 attempts and some scratches later. I saw some firangs with blisters in their feet caused by the tight shoes one has to wear for rock climbing. Despite of her red feet, she did not give up. That got me thinking the meaning of true passion. No one was paying her to do anything and there she was falling off and trying again and again. And that is how you become a master at something. The meaning to my life would be find out the stuff for which I will be ready to sustain these levels of injuries and pains.