Clear(ish) skies at last! Victoria Peak has been wreathed in cloud and haze ever since we arrived in Honky. But today, our last full day before transferring to Bangkok, the view was finally "all clear". Our itinerary was simple: find the Victoria Tram, walk round the Peak and then hit the shopping Malls! Clutching my trusty street map I strode out confidently from the Star Ferry terminal, family trailing in my wake. Very much later we were still strolling up and down the same back streets, confidence evaporated and arguing about where exactly we were. I pretended not to hear mutinous [View Full Entry]

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Today we ate one of the best meals we have ever experienced: The meal was served in one of the shabbiest restaurants we've seen, where arrogant rats openly strolled across the floor to stand, whiskers twitching, sizing up the chances of joining in our feast..... The day began with a stroll down Nathan Road to the Star Ferry terminal. Simon was in a buoyant mood, having discovered the wonders of Chinese Laundry - he'd sent virtually his entire wardrobe to be washed, pressed and hangered. "They've come back better than new...." he babbled. I didn't have the heart to tell him [View Full Entry]

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Funny how idle promises made to small children can come back to bite you on the bum! I'd been to RAF Kai Tak at the end of the '60s and returned to Honky once more in the early eighties. Fran, my toddler daughter, and son Simon were fascinated by 'photos I'd taken there and by my description of the incomparable night-time Hong Kong skyline. I'd also raved about a holiday Jan and I had taken in Thailand. Like any Dad would, I glibly said "One day I'll take you there...." Scroll on nearly twenty years: Both kids are now at Uni [View Full Entry]

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Although the end of our Sri Lankan Odyssey has come around far too quickly, we managed to finish on a final excursion that encompassed all the things we love: an exhilarating safari in Yala National Park, an overnight stay in a lakeside hotel, a morning mingle with fishermen selling their catch at a local market and finally an idyllic visit to the home of a schoolteacher. As always Siri wanted an early start ... but not as much as I wanted my breakfast of Buffalo Curd and Honey! For the last time we left the compound at Blue Water, clattered across [View Full Entry]

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So far we have enjoyed several excursions to some of Sri Lanka's major tourist attractions ... Sri Lanka is a destination stuffed with historical sites and stunning scenery. But the most memorable moments so far all occurred away from the established circuits: Stumbling across a working lime kiln or taking a tuk-tuk to a local market thrust us in amongst real local people, untainted by the lure of tourist dollars. Here among these folk we found genuine warmth and generosity, observing different lifestyles or simply exchanging smiles and banter. Our positive impression was fu [View Full Entry]

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Another day, another hotel and another driver. Following yesterday's car crash we were met in reception by a young man who had been sent as a replacement driver. Padmasiri had spent the evening in custody and was not currently available to us, so we would continue the tour with a substitute. This new driver seemed to be half Siri's age, with a quarter of his skill and a tenth of his personality :o( Our hotel was virtually in the shadow of "Lion Rock" so, even though it was Sunday, we were amongst the first few people to arrive there. (Later, when [View Full Entry]

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After a poor night's sleep in our cold, damp and fusty "mausoleum" Jan and I were relieved to check-out and hit the road for Kandy. Siri was in a chirpy mood and, as we left Nuwara Eliya, the clouds lifted, the sun broke through and our spirits soared. The landscape began to flatten out once more and we were soon passing through gently sloping fields of crops and plantations. A roadside fruit stall beside a strawberry field proved irresistible and we bounced down the road happily slurping the luscious red fruits. A column of smoke ahead grabbed our attention and we [View Full Entry]

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The day started with the squeaking of walking boots down deserted Blue Water marble corridors. It was still a couple of hours before dawn and we were heading off to explore the hill country. A dazzling farewell smile from the receptionist lit our way as we were introduced to our driver and guide, Padmasiri. Safely belted into the back of our hire car we headed into the dark. Two things instantly became apparent: First, night time definitely isn't a good time to appreciate the passing scenery... and secondly, in daylight the roads of Sri Lanka are seriously dangerous, but by night [View Full Entry]

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Serendipity: the art of making unexpected and happy discoveries, derived from "Swarnadip", the sanskrit term for Sri Lanka. Having finally taken early retirement at the end of the last century (last week!) Jan and I were at a loose end, plodding puddled pavements in a drizzly, grey Aylesbury. We stopped to scan the "Late Deals" in a travel agents window: Benidorm, Canaries, Cyprus, Majorca .... hang on a minute! Two weeks in Sri Lanka, Half-Board, accommodation allocated on arrival: just £399! We looked at each other, rain trickling down our faces. "Shall we?" You bet [View Full Entry]

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We've been gallivanting around Northern Thailand for the best part of three weeks, spent a lot of time sleeping on the ground and showering under a bucket of cold water. We've slept in hill-tribe long-houses, bamboo huts, log cabins and under canvas. Some of our best meals were cooked in front of us using the freshest of ingredients: line-caught fish, newly slaughtered chicken and piglet, root vegetables washed in the river and green mango picked from the tree. We've also eaten street food, meals in a variety of local restaurants and rather too much of Mr Deang's breakfast rice soup! So [View Full Entry]

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