Lifes Little Lessons

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After last minute packing, 3 nights on the booze, and tears at the airport, i finally mde it to Sri Lanka! And WOW, is it beautifull (well what i have seen so far). Flights went well, from Singapore to Colombo, the flight was practically empty so i got to strech out and put my blow up........ pillow to good use! (thanks Mum)

I arrived at midnight and was picked up by a gentleman, whom i had no choice but to trust to take me to Bentota (which is where i am now). He proceeded to drive at ?km (the spedo was broken) in 3rd gear, but the car was shaking, and i bit my tounge to suggest he drop it down to 1st or 2nd gear so we could actually get somewhere. But he eventually opened her up and we were cruising along. The airport is slightly north of Colombo its self, and it took us approximately 2 and half hours to get to Bentota (which is on the south west coast)

Things i have learnt about driving in Sri Lanka:

1) Lanes are optional! As is what side of the road you drive on!
2) Red lights are also optional!
3) Flash you headlights for the following : When over taking someone, when telling someone you want them to move over so that i can over take them, when going through red lights, and when u basically just feel like it.
4) Dont worry about the Dogs on the sides of the roads, they have great road sense (they do honestly)
5)Sri Lanka's drivers are definately "flashers" not "Beepers"

Apart from that i arrived im my hotel at about 3am and promptly went to bed. The reason i have come to Sri Lanka, is that my good friend Amber (who lives in the UK) is getting married here and i shall be in the bridal party!
All Her Guests have Stayed at the same Hotel, so you will just have to bear with me as i cant be bothered explaining who everyone is. (in total there are 15 of us)

Last week we all took a Trip to Pinnawala elephant orphanage, which was established in 1975 with only 5 orphans, today they have aroud 62, with 5 being born in the orphange its self, with elephants from adults to babies.
It was an overwhelming experience to get so close to the elephants, and one i will never forget! we arrived to watch the baby elephants Being bottle fed, they got excited when the keepers would approach them with the bottle and sway side to side (very Cute). From there we made a walk up to the hill where all the other elephants were, and it was bloody boiling in the sun. Tourists were encouraged to touch the elephants and get their photos taken by the keeper in exchange for a tip, which became a bit annoying after a while, i felt it kind of took away the majesty of the experience, so i just ignored them.
From there we all walked to the front of the park and down a row of shops to a river where the elephants bathed. Nothing can beat how good it felt to get so close, jump i the river and wash the elephants while getting soaked myself. Lunch was served in a restaurant over looking the river, while the elephants frolicked in the water.
If you ever have the chance to experience this on your travels, Please do it, it is worth all those hours spent on a bus to get there.

The next big event was the weding.... da dum da da... da dum da da... etc (you get it!). The hens day comprised of all the girls gathering in Ambers plush hotel room and pampering each other. Emma (Ambers sister) and i went into town and purchased some lolly bags and put togetehr as much stuff as possible. On the big day, it was a morning in the Spa, where I had a fantastically cheap pedicure. We had all the bridesmaids dresses made a a tailor across the road, and they were great, apart from the fact that at the service, my eyes were crying, as well as my legs, sweat poured off me and it wasn't long before I had a huge sweat mark down my back, very glamourous indeed! Dinner was served beside the beach, by candlelight and it was a beautiful day in all.

So my days comprise of, waking, eating, lying by the pool, swimming, eating etc . Its such a hard life. Im off today for a quick trip around Sri lanka its self! Cant wait.

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