http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Sri-Lanka/ Travel adventures in journals and photos from Asia , Sri Lanka en-us Fri, 05 Dec 2008 00:48:11 UTC Fri, 05 Dec 2008 00:48:11 UTC Dear friendsPlease find attached some pictures illustrating my visit to Sri Lanka from October 21 to November 7 2008.Basically I visited Steffi in Colombo she's woring for GTZ there and travelled around with her and her boyfriend Daniel who flew in from Geneva. Was great funThe route Colombo Kandy Rangala Nuwara Eliya gt Horton Plains Tissamaharama gt Yala National Park http://www.travelblog.org//Asia/Sri-Lanka/blog-348795.html Ok so this update is overdue and as my father keeps reminding me I have a mother to worry Mum and Heather will be sufficiently delighted to know that not only do I now eat with my fingers but I also drink tap water and take regular bus journeys. Can't be all that bad I mean I've only been slightly ill and who would want to bomb Hikkaduwa anyway If anything it'd make the guidebook entry a l http://www.travelblog.org//Asia/Sri-Lanka/Hikkaduwa/blog-346926.html Irsquod made the decision to end my big Asian adventure with a month in Sri Lanka for a number of reasons. First and foremost was to soak up paradise and get some waves after a long absence from the surf life and it was also a chance for Lisa to have some time to acclimatise to home after over a year and a half away from Sweden. It was everything I could have hoped for and more. I had some fanta http://www.travelblog.org//Asia/Sri-Lanka/blog-343706.html A lot has been going on since the last update Got dropped off by Heather Stuart and Scott Ritchie Greig was busy on Saturday morning. The Galle road is the main artery for all traffic to the south making its way down the west coast and it was this road that we drove down on. The roads here never cease to amaze or terrify The psycotic bus drivers going at insane speeds are bad enough but http://www.travelblog.org//Asia/Sri-Lanka/Hikkaduwa/blog-341644.html Although half way across the world getting here wasn't all that traumatic. There was some confusion over how I managed to check into my London flight at Aberdeen airport and thus whether or not my luggage would be transfered through but I was just happy not to have missed the flight.The London to Colombo via the Maldives flight was alright generously paid for by the 'Wood Family Trust'. 10 h http://www.travelblog.org//Asia/Sri-Lanka/Colombo/blog-339944.html Tour Day OneWe started our tour of Sri Lanka on Saturday. We left the house at 4.30am so we could get to Pinawela Elephant Orphanage in time for the morning feed. We arrived at about 9.30am and the park was really busy with tourists but also locals as it was a Saturday. There was also lots of military present as the Indian High Commissioner was visiting that day so security was extremely hig http://www.travelblog.org//Asia/Sri-Lanka/blog-338596.html This why I came to Sri Lanka to offer a Hand of Hope. I arrived in Sri Lanka on the 31st of August it was a hard decision for me giving everying up to come over here and try and help out in some of the orphanages here. It has been quite an experience back home I dont think any of us have much idea about how these children actually live. In the first orphanage it was Gillian McAlister Katie http://www.travelblog.org//Asia/Sri-Lanka/Polonnaruwa-/blog-337274.html This is just my last blog from Sri Lanka just to say thank you to all my friends and family back home for all their help over the past few years and for making this trip possible there are too many people to list but you know who you are. I am just going to put a few photos together and a few words. Sri Lanka is a beautiful island and I would recommend anyone to visit it but one month is pro http://www.travelblog.org//Asia/Sri-Lanka/Polonnaruwa-/blog-335402.html Another early morning start mainly to beat the heat and the crowds Gill Sandra Katie and I joined by our Sri Lankan family set off for the day. Our first stop Sigiriya which is the best preserved city centre in Asia from the first millennium with all its buildings and gardens with their trees paths and water gardens. Actually climbing to the top of this rock was so rewarding. When I sa http://www.travelblog.org//Asia/Sri-Lanka/Sigiriya/blog-335369.html At the preschool for the past couple of weeks they have been practising for their end of term concert. They practice all morning everyday. Its good to practice but the concert isnrsquot until the first week of December They practice from 912 sometimes they stay later until 2.30pm Thatrsquos an immense amount of practice The songs are stuck in my head all day and donrsquot even kno http://www.travelblog.org//Asia/Sri-Lanka/Hikkaduwa/blog-335135.html We got up to the dawn chorus and headed off to Nuwara Eliya for two nights. Sandra Karen and I headed off to the mountains to try and cool off. The drive was beautiful the scenery was out of this world so tranquil yet in its own little way so busy watching the tea pickers at work and the children selling flowers on the side of the road chasing our car to make a few rupees. We did actually http://www.travelblog.org//Asia/Sri-Lanka/Nuwara-Eliya/blog-334992.html Well here I am after many months of planning this trip of a lifetime making sacrifices leaving my job my daughter family and friends I finally left all that I knew and loved on Sunday 31st August 2008 to embark on journey. My friends Nickie Rosie Heidi Sharon and Caroline took me to Heathrow. My mum and dad wanted to come to the airport but I wouldnt let them it would have been too hard http://www.travelblog.org//Asia/Sri-Lanka/Polonnaruwa-/blog-332117.html I have returned to Sri Lanka having visited as a tourist a few years ago. Something drew me back to this beautiful island and I'm sure it was the people. I am living in Polonnaruwa with a host family who are adorable friendly so accommodating and nothing is too much trouble for them. Work wise I am working in a girls orphanage. They are aged between eight and nineteen and we are wi http://www.travelblog.org//Asia/Sri-Lanka/Polonnaruwa-/blog-331858.html Well we have just returned from a very very lazy long weekend in Sri Lanka. So lazy in fact that we didnrsquot even leave the front doors of the hotel resort that we were staying in. We decided to take a little trip to celebrate the end of Ramadan Eid and booked a little package holiday to Sri Lanka. Being the wimps that we are we couldnrsquot bear to go economy and had to book business clas http://www.travelblog.org//Asia/Sri-Lanka/Galle/blog-331541.html Claire arrived on Mondayhellipshe was supposed to get here at lunchtime but didnrsquot arrive until nearly midnight Her flight was delayed about four times and she was stuck in KuwaitOn Monday at the preschool we had an ldquoEnglish Dayrdquo. We did some activities typical to an English pre school and made cucumber sandwiches The little ones didnrsquot really like them that much A http://www.travelblog.org//Asia/Sri-Lanka/Hikkaduwa/blog-331430.html I had to go to Colombo Sri Lankarsquos capital city on Thursday. My tourist visa was nearing the end so I had to go to the Department of Immigration for it renewing.Another expat Danny who lives in Hikka too also had to renew his so we went together. I met Danny outside Neelarsquos at 7am and we got the bus to Colombo. It takes about 2.53 hours no timetables here they just turn up w http://www.travelblog.org//Asia/Sri-Lanka/Hikkaduwa/blog-328426.html Having left India and now in Sri Lanka I just wanted to pause for thought before I tell you about this next leg of the journey. Every now and again on my journey I'll be walking along and I'll forget where I am untill I see something that reminds me of which place I'm in. In India this has happened a few times untill I look up and see a cow in the middle of the road or walking along the http://www.travelblog.org//Asia/Sri-Lanka/Polonnaruwa-/blog-328118.html Well I know itrsquos been longer than a week since my last update but Irsquom so busy with work and exploring Irsquove not got round to it Here it is though Irsquom learning more and more about the Singhalese people. They are so different to English people They seem so relaxed about everything itrsquos very much a Manana culture I suppose it has to be in hot countries or are th http://www.travelblog.org//Asia/Sri-Lanka/Hikkaduwa/blog-324304.html We all ended up at Riddim Beach Bar for what can only be described as a random and very drunken beach party rather like that one Barney and I had been to years before Pictures will probably suffice. http://www.travelblog.org//Asia/Sri-Lanka/Unawatuna/blog-321652.html I was afraid Unawatuna would've changed into a megatourist resort since I last visited a couple of years ago. But luckily not Compared to last time I was here there are quite a lot more beach bars but it's still got the same laid back vibe I love so much. The beach boys are just as friendly and best of all there aren't too many touristsStrangely enough some people even remember me from a coup http://www.travelblog.org//Asia/Sri-Lanka/Unawatuna/blog-321647.html I got up megaearly and went straight to the Emirates office to change my flight so I could at least stay an extra few weeks before figuring out what to do about job life dilemnas... Sadly the planes are full until the end of September. Humph not only do I find this hard to believe but it also wreacs havoc with my latest plan to change the world by trying to become the BBC correspondent in Sri L http://www.travelblog.org//Asia/Sri-Lanka/Unawatuna/blog-321349.html All of a sudden it's the BIG day and as expected Helen and David do a fine job of getting married serenely in Sri Lankan splendour.Held in an elegant church with a fantastic choir the ceremony is lovely and afterwards we all enjoy celebrating in the grounds of the church. The jazz band gets everyone dancing and we enjoy a buffet banquet fit for a king and queen I think it's today over G and T's http://www.travelblog.org//Asia/Sri-Lanka/Colombo/blog-321316.html After the excitement of the Perihera late last night we manage to summon enough energy to get to the Botanical Gardens bright and early before it gets too hot. The gardens are lush green and filled with surprising sights like couples courting under umbrellas giant fruitbat filled trees and weird spindly ancient trees.Next stop is Pinnewala the famous elephant orphanage which I didn't get a cha http://www.travelblog.org//Asia/Sri-Lanka/Pinnawela/blog-321312.html I had chosen Ella as a stop because of the fantastic scenery. Most guesthouses a traveler could stay in provide wonderful views of dramatic jutting green hills and the village looks past the imposing Ella Rock. The village itself is very quaint and described in the guidebook as the closest place in Sri Lanka to an English country village. The Ambiente guest house is on the west side of the villag http://www.travelblog.org//Asia/Sri-Lanka/Ella/blog-320512.html Sunday 4th December 2005Peter and I found ourselves a seat and deposited our bags at the front almost on top of an alcove housing a huge and ancient gear shaft. Apparently this is where the large luggage sits to save space for more seats. It wasnrsquot too packed to start with though and I had a double seat to myself. I am looking forward to the scenery I am going to see on this journey and also http://www.travelblog.org//Asia/Sri-Lanka/Bandarawela/blog-320510.html Well my first week in Sri Lanka has been great its a great placegot here no problems with no delays which apparently is very rare when traveling to Sri Lanka so i was very lucky I met a random Indian man on the plane he got on at Male where the plane had stopped to refuel and to drop all the honeymooners off his name was Siddhartha and he said he was an investment banker. After about a f http://www.travelblog.org//Asia/Sri-Lanka/Hikkaduwa/blog-320044.html