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Published: October 24th 2010
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The drive from Dambulla to Kandy was beautiful. It is really jungley and therer are lots and lots of spice plantations. Naturally I visited one and had the tour with a guide who was probably hoping for a tip - again. Then it was time to have some of the preparations rubbed on my hand, sprayed on my arms etc. Then as I was about to leave the little cabana for the shop a young man came to massage some other stuff on my legs, here we go again. Then he is pulling my top up and saying “off” so that he can do my back. NO! Maybe provide a room with a bed and charge and I would do it but come on…
I bought a few things although they were over priced then back in the car with Grumpy and on to Kandy.
My stay with Judy and Peter I organised through Couchsurfing and it was wonderful to arrive at a home. We drove up - a slightly hair-raising experience in it’s self, and Judy welcomed me with a hug. Then Sepala the driver told her that he was going to sleep in the car in her
drive way. Oh no he wasn’t. Judy is a straight talking which I like and she sent him off to a guesthouse in Kandy. Judy told me straight that she didn’t like him one bit and when I told her off all the small but difficult situations I had had with him, she said that I should ring and organise for another driver. Oh thank you Judy, why didn’t I do that from the start? Sometimes I am too soft. So I did and it was all arranged. Ahhhh, I felt so much better.
Judy and Peter moved from England about seven years ago and can’t understand why more people don’t do ther same and I understand her completely. They have a huge and beautiful house set in acres of coffee, banana, coconut and spices with help from beautiful people too. Who wouldn’t swap that with a semi in the suburbs in England?
I had a lovely time staying with Judy and her eight I think, cats and two dogs. Spike I fell in love with and I think the feeling was mutual as we slept together for two nights! Forget men, I’m sticking to cats. Staying in
someone’s home when away is a very special experience. Judy hosts lots of people from all over the world and she does it in such a relaxed manner that you cannot help but feel at home too.
Thank you Judy.
Two days later the new driver arrives but with Sepala, the old driver in toe - embarrassing. We were to drop him off at the bus station. Once he left Sam and I were able to chat and he is lovely and was very apologetic about Sepala. Sam owns a few cars and just uses Sepala now and again. Not very often in the future I think.
So now instead of having a grumpy old man with no teeth and little English, I have Sampa 38, funny, with great English and local knowledge. Once again, thank you Judy.
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