Barefoot

Holy moly! Nearly didn't get here, courtesy of our crazy tuk tuk driver. Making spaces in traffic that did not exist. Nudging trucks and buses with death-wish abandon.

Eva was ready to jump for her life. We had to wait another three minutes before the others arrived on their tuk tuks.

Barefoot is a groovy store given over to fabrics and home nick nacks. So we are now in the cafe area, knocking back some beer, lime, lemongrass and soda and a sangria. Lunch has been ordered.

After fish and chips we got into some serious shopping. Tea bags, soaps and photo albums.

The Grand Oriental Hotel

A sad building, once the disembarking point for passengers arriving by ship. Up on the fourth floor you can still dine and take in the view; which is of the container port.

Guests include Chekov in 1890, beginning  Gussev here. Whatever that was.

Amazing view of the port.

Wandered around the precinct. Found the Old Dutch Hospital which was similar to Galle. Converted to eateries. Ministry of the Crab not open for lunch. Boo hoo.

Lunuganga: Bawa house and garden at Bentota

We spent a totally enthralling day touring the buildings and gardens of Lunuganga, before sitting down on the verandah to enjoy a typical Sri Lankan curry meal.

As you would no doubt be aware, Geoffrey Bawa is/was Sri Lanka's most influential architect. He designed A wing of rooms at the Jetwing Lagoon hotel, where we stayed upon arrival. He was also responsible for designing the Hotel Kamdalama which we stayed at when we traveled to Dambulla.

This time, we visited his residence, situated on a former rubber plantation. The main residence has commanding views over the river from the rear verandah. He removed several metres off the top of an adjacent hill to obtain a water view from the front of the house. While there is a small public lane bisecting the property, it has been deepened and with the use of thick vegetation and a covered passageway, he was able to maintain privacy of the property.

Bloody smart bugger, if you ask me.

Tropical thunderstorms

International visitors who frequent tropical climes know to expect rapid changes in the weather.

So I was surprised to be caught in the sudden downpour that rolled in this morning during my walk.

I'd been caught up in capturing images of the sea and the interesting marine life.

Going home, 2nd class

Having neglected to purchase our return tickets upon arrival,  we are forced to slum it with the locals.

In this instance, the locals seem to be a tribe of noisy young Japanese folk. I thought it was the yanks who were supposed to be loud (They are!). Japanese folk are supposed to be quiet and reserved (until they've had a skinful of saki). Obviously these young uns have no respect for stereotypical characteristics.

But it appears that they were smart enough to book seats in first class.

Galle: jewel of the south

Finally got into the fort, foregoing a detour to some trinket shop, owned by some distant relative of the tuk tuk driver or his pimp.

Apparently the ramparts protected most of the buildings and people from the 2004 tsunami that wreaked so much havoc.

We wandered along part of the wall and then through the settlement;  ending up at the refurbished Dutch Hospital, which is all craft shops and eateries.  Our port o' call was the Taphouse by RnR, where we were able to sate, nay drown, our thirsts.

The RnR lime chicken and pasta navarathna were yummy. Nine veges cooked in combination with spices and blended with coconut milk.

Tuk tuk touring

With barely enough time to scratch ourselves we disembark at Galle Station and climb aboard tuk tuks for a tour as "the fort is closed until 1:30, sir".

After touring through the suburbs with our dextrious driver pointing out places of 'interest', we head to the beach where a couple of blokes are sitting on sticks making out that they're fishing. And just as the downpour became torrential.

Got in a coffee break overlooking a beach on our way back to Galle.

A day trip to Galle

The Lads ventured out of the compound yesterday to book tickets for our trip to Galle. And to stock up on wine.

Naturally, with the comfort of our women folk in mind, we spared no expense by purchasing first class tickets for seats in an air-conditioned carriage.

Our extended wait at the Alugama Station was whiled away in conversation with some of the local inhabitants. A lovely old bewhiskered gent discussed the current test between Sri Lanka and Pakistan,  before enquiring if I would like to buy him breakfast.  An obviously-proud father informed the ladies about his son's studies in computing at Victoria University, and the ongoing financial difficulties he constantly faces to support him.

I must remember to relate the problems I continually have in finding the wherewithall to feed my youngest son. And maybe a small donation from a kind stranger whom I meet on foreign shores will ease my financial woes. And then I will be able to get a nice bottle of wine rather than that South African rubbish we've been forced to drink.

Oiled up at Centara Sands

There's nothing like a traditional Sri Lankan massage to relieve the aches and stresses that are associated with international travel. Probably difficult for most of you to comprehend.

Modesty forbids me to post any revealing images of the treatment I received at the hands of Inoka (and the fact that I didn't have my phone with me at the time).

Needless to say, we all made a second booking for early next week. And we will probably need one tomorrow, to ease the pain we are currently inflicting upon ourselves by journeying to Galle on the "express".

Aloha from Bentota

It's nothing like Hawaii really. Everyone is polite. No one is loud. The buildings are all low rise.

After collecting our luggage and stowing it away, we boarded the lighter that transferred us to the resort across the river.

After Ms Pryia organised our room arrangements and on site vouchers (spa treatments, free cocktails and wifi), Dilshan showed us to our rooms and demonstrated how the TV worked.

We settled in and met at the pool. As much as Garry and I hated to admit it, Rouse had made an excellent choice. We quaffed our first complimentary ("nice bathers, sir") cocktail, Anne Marie and I went down to the beach to take in the sunset. Sorry, that should be AnneMarie and I and the two local touts who were looking for some work. Talk about killing the ambiance.

We ventured down to Cafe Ben for another buffet dinner that was as equal to the tucker at Heritance. In fact, we were also able to have ice cream here. Several helpings, in fact. It's surprising how well ice cream and red wine go together. This really is a voyage of discovery.

Lavender House, Pussellawa

If you are going to stay in a former manager's house on a tea plantation, expect to gain some altitude. The final couple of hundred metres had Rathna apply all his driving skills (and faith in the protective power of Buddha) to get us up the goat track which brought us to this little shangri la.

After gathering in the drawing room, we were given a traditional cup of coffee (?) for refreshments.  Wandered down to the infinty pool via the croquet lawn and through the lanscaped garden. All lush and in places overgrown. Then we came back for a traditional five o'clock drink.

Dinner was served in the dining room and we were all on our best behaviour.  Eva only dropped her serviette once. And at fifty dollars a bottle, we were not going to go overboard. They were out of Jacobs Creek so we had to settle on a white and red from Nederberg,  our usual tipple of choice when in South Africa.

No! The images are not from their website. And yes! We did actually stay here. Just wait until the slide night.

Dambulla Caves

After getting to the caves Rathna 'reminds' us to put our long pants on. Pete and Garry's are securely packed in their luggage. Mine are hanging up in the wardrobe at 7 Woods Street.

After the climb up to the entrance the boys get their sarongs on and we begin our tour. Being a New Moon Day, devoted devotees of Buddha are swarming over the site. Fortunately,  there's an electric fence around the site to keep out the cheeky monkeys.

Then iit's all aboard for Kandy for lunch. Drive by Temple of the Tooth, an impressive old colonial pub adjacent to it, and then out along a river where we have lunch. Then it's back in the bus for another couple of hours to get to Lavender House.

Lion Rock / Sigiriya

Phew. Made it.

An architectural and engineering masterpiece. Superlatives are wasted. This is the most amazing site and the gravity fed gardens are surreal. Two hundred metres of solid rock. The king built a palace on top of it in the fifth century.

One of my questions still remains unanswered: How did they get the truck up here to deliver all of the bricks?

Whenever I travel to foreign climes I always like to mix it with the kids. I encouraged a couple of the young blokes from the local Dambulla reformatory to have their photo taken. Quite reluctant initally.

Call me Bwana

After travelling northeast for most of the day, we arrived at some national park to go on safari.

So it's into the back of a 4x4 and off we go. We're hunting elephant.

After an eternity travelling over bumpy dirt tracks through thick bush we come upon...

A couple of birds and a mongoose.  Hmm. But lo, look through the binoculars and there in the distance can be seen about fifty of the beasts.

"Oh well, never mind,"  we're thinking when around the corner we come across a small herd of big elephants. With junior.

And then, we see some more!

Our exhaustion vanishes as we snap away.

Next stop: Heritance Kandalama.

When the boat comes in

After setting off at a most respectable hour, we made our way to the Negombo Fish and fruit and vege market.

Here in Sri Lanka, they have taken the concept of going green just a tad too far. Why waste valuable resources on refrigeration,  when all you need do is splash some water over your seafood. And if you want to dry the catch; well, just leave it out in the sun. 

Poolside or beachside

Quite a large pool but not as large as the ocean.

Jetwing Lagoon, Negombo

A simple resting place for a short overnight stay. Located between the lagoon and Indian Ocean, the place has a 100 metre swimming pool.
The suite is enormous, taking a full two minutes to walk to the bathroom. Would you believe twenty steps?
Admittedly, we are sharing with three other families. (Very common tradition here.)

Jetting Lagoon Hotel

Arrived safely, a good start and met by our driver, Rathna, who steered us straight to pick up our SIM cards, before taking us directly to our luxury abode.

The suite is as big as Texas (admittedly, we are sharing with two families. A local custom, apparently.)

The 100 metre pool is nothing to write home about, except to say that it is the biggest in Sri Lanka and looks absolutely stunning. 

With the lagoon on one side, and the ocean on the other, the hotel is right in the middle. Centrally located.

The journey begins

Vibrant colours, sweet and pungent scents from foreign and far away places mingle with the jibber jabber of many tongues.

Welcome to Tullamarine departure lounge.

Bumped into young Pip. Twice. I thought she was going to Thailand. What's she doing at Tulla?

Finally found Annemarie and Gaz. They had been at the airport since midday, taking in the vibes. (They don't get out much.)

Countdown to funtime

New luggage purchased: check
Neck pillow purchased: check
Sun lotion, insect repellant and personal wipes purchased: check
In-transit outfits organised: check
Poolside accessories organised: check
After-five shorts and bling organised: check

As soon as Eva has got her stuff together, we can begin packing our suitcase.