Gokarn and Hampi are the new havens that have mesmerised hundreds of shoe-string-budget visitors from Europe, Australia, Israel and the US since the early '90s. Not for a darshan of Lord Shiva's atmaling in the seaside town or a look at the stone marvels in what was Emperor Krishnadevaraya's capital, but for the sun, exotic landscapes and abundant seclusion. The non-conformist, non-conventional image they flaunt has caused them to be labelled hippies by the locals—a tag borrowed from neighbouring Goa. The termhas been reinforced by their passion to shed what little fabric they cover themselves with and get stoned on grass and charas to "float like that little fishing boat on the seas".