http://www.travelblog.org/Bloggers/melanddave/ Travel adventures in journals and photos from melanddave en-us Tue, 29 Dec 2009 13:37:37 +0000 Tue, 29 Dec 2009 13:37:37 +0000 Hi again just a quckie this time as we have spent most of the last 3 days relaxing by the poolbeach.We have our own elephant in the hotel grounds so we had to go for the obligatory ride this time bareback. She is 35 years old and moves very slowly thankfully.We have made quite a few pals which is fun in the evenings and have not a bad tan so far 2 more days to top it up.See you all soon http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Sri-Lanka/blog-417391.html So from the hills we then returned to normality and scorching heat in the south of the country. We had a 3 hour afternoon safari so be prepared for loads of animal photos. We were a bit shaken up by the jeep but we had a really good time. We saw over 140 elephants deer buffalo croc and a great variety of birds. The next day we travelled down to Galle just in time to go onto the old fort and s http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Sri-Lanka/blog-416405.html Yes we are still in SL but we spent a day up in the mountains at Nuwera Eliya. It was a long and winding drive up there and the weather deteriorated all the way. This is usual for up here though and it is where the tea plantations are located. It was like being back home on a typical October day. I had to wear long trousers The hotel was very Scottish even tartan curtains and a full size snoook http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Sri-Lanka/blog-416402.html We have now reached the hill town of Kandy after a few stops from Habarana. We visited the Dambulla caves which were started in 1st Century BC. Very impressive with giant Buddhas and various religious relics in them well worth a visit. We also had lunch at a cafe that our guide called in advance otherwise they would not have opened tourism is quiet in SL just now. Yesterday evening we went to a http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Sri-Lanka/blog-415016.html We have now left the Colombo district as the tour has started. Our tour guide is Aloy a lovely man who seems to know everything about Sri Lanka. Our first stop was to visit the elephant orphanage It's a great facility that looks after around 100 elephants. One is blind and another has one gammy foot from a rogue bomb from years ago. We saw them being fed then going for a swim of sorts. So that http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Sri-Lanka/blog-414445.html As the title suggests I managed to set fire to the toaster on breakfast. The chef was not too impressed with the smoke coming from his machine. We skipped breakfast today so i'm not sure it is working nowThe time in this hotel has been very relaxing and well worth while coming out a few days before the tour which starts tomorrow. We will be joined by 6 others 2 family groups i think.Just to ma http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Sri-Lanka/blog-413688.html We arrived around 5pm on Saturday evening into the wonderful hotel that is Mount Lavinia. This was formerly the home of the British Governor but nowadays they let anyone in The jet lag as ever caught up with us it took 24 hours from Glasgow to arrive her via London and Male.The Sri Lankan people seem very friendly so far rather like the weather very warm. There have been a couple of downpour http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Sri-Lanka/blog-413092.html The travel fairy has waived her magic dust again so we have nearly reached the time to venture abroad in Summer 09. To Sri Lanka for a 17 day tourbeach trip. We leave on the 26th so the packing needs to start NOW Get the mossie spray ordered the tasty Europeans are coming. Will be updating as we go on tour 2009 between cups of tea. http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Sri-Lanka/blog-407671.html After 22 days 6 countries 10 flights I think 9 hotels and several other forms of transport we are back in Glasgow. The temperature on the last day was certainly the hottest 40 degrees C in Madrid. Was kind of glad to return to half that temperature in Scotland. The final couple of days in Madrid were spent either in the rooftop pool on a bus trip around the city including a visit to the R http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/blog-308362.html So we have made it back across the Atlantic but now there are only two of us left on the trip. sadly we had to say goodbye to Gee at Madrid airport as she made here weary way home to Omagh. The overnight flight wasn't too bad and the prospect of even hotter weather in Madrid cheered us up. Unfortunately mel getting flinched on the Metro didn't but as we later found out this is an all too common http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Spain/Aragon/blog-307499.html The final organised trip of the holiday has to be one of the highlights. The trip up the mountain to see the statue was very leisurely by a small trundling train granted the hill was quite steep. By mid morning the crowds were really gathering so we didnt manage to create a group shot so there are a couple of photos to view. When you are and around Rio you can see the statue but nothing prepare http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Brazil/Rio-de-Janeiro/blog-305966.html The best stadium in the world and it finishes 00. The atmosphere was great on a sultry Sunday evening in Rio. Two teams from the city played really well and it was amazing that no goals were scored. The build up to the game was great as the fans started to come in and show their colours. There was around 40000 here but the noise was more like 80000. Mel and Gee even enjoyed part of the 2nd half http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Brazil/Rio-de-Janeiro/blog-305962.html Another flight another city this time from Iguassu both Arg Bra before arriving in Rio. As usual it was after sunset so last night was spent on the rooftop bar sipping cocktails how tiresome. Then today we had a city tour including the Sugar Loaf mountain by cable car followed by a stroll along the beach. Were off to the Flamenco v Botafogo match tonight pick up in one hour. After 2 week http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Brazil/Rio-de-Janeiro/blog-305193.html Hey we made it to another country well we decided that 4 countries wasnt enough so went on a day trip to Colonia de Sacramento a short one hour boat journey from BA. there is a world heritage site there of an old SpanishArgentinian town very quiet and much better than busy BA. It was however the coldest day of our trip so far and the wind was quite strong at times. Well worth it to see old http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Uruguay/blog-305186.html After a 3 hour delay we have made it to BRAZIL and the Iguassi Falls. As I type this I can hear the roar of the water just across from the hotel. This really is an old fashioned colonial house with big rooms a smoking one thankfully and beautiful surroundings. We arrived just in time for sunset after fog and radar problems in BA. The delay has resulted in us being up early tomorow what a change http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/blog-304539.html We arrived in Buenos Aires yesterday after 2 flights from La Paz. It was quite tiring but it is fun to be in a new country. After a nice steak we went for a stroll around town so much easier with no elevation from the sea So this morning we were on a city tour of BA where we saw the main sights incl the Boca Juniors football ground and Eva Perons grave. Geraldine and Mel have now found out that http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/blog-303654.html We have now arrived in the beautiful city of Lap Paz in Bolivia. The journey in was spectacular as we descended from 4300m to 3800m in about 5 mins and the view was amazing. The city is in a high bowl and the lights made it look unreal. The half day tour today has been great and we now have the rest of the day at our leisure a rare commodity. We are off to a rooftop restaurant tonight that has http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/blog-302853.html Yes we have made it in to Bolivia and the capital city is looking very impressive. in the last day and a half we have travelled on a bus for more hours than I can count been on 2 boats a catamaran and been up before sunrise today to go to a reed island on Lake Titicaca. I will continiue this post tomorrow but there is a beer with my name on it on the other side of the bar. So from Cusco to Puno http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/blog-302539.html The guys have now conquered Machu Picchu We were up before dawn had even loosened her tonsils for a four hour train journey to one of the most amazing places in South America. The views setting and character of this place are worth all the travelling. Unfortunately we have to leave Cusco tomorrow and this blogger is a bit tired tonight but here are a couple of photos that show our day. When tim http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/blog-301643.html We are now well into the Peruvian culture and we visitied a great restaurant last night called the Fallen Angel a certain Scott Ellis may recall this one. The guide book described this a gay friendly hence the poseAnyway the fish tank tables were great fun and the steaks were tremendous. We boarded the bus this morning for a tour round some more Incan sites and were encouraged to buy some more http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/blog-301200.html