Blogs from Hikkaduwa, Southern Province, Sri Lanka, Asia - page 3

His… Friday 13th. We took the train down to Hikkaduwa, about 100km south from Colombo. The journey took about 2 and half hours and cost us 3.5 Australian dollars. The train ride itself was fine, everyone was seated, so there was no sniffing armpits, no air con but all the windows were open so was plenty of fresh air. Arrived in Hikkaduwa where we were escorted down to the ‘happening’ area, where there are all these great guesthouses by the ocean, costing about 10-20 dollars per night. We chose one, for about 10 bucks, that was a bit dirty but had a nice little beach front bar with cheap beers that cost about 2 bucks for a long neck of local beer. Miranda got some ‘threading’ done, if don’t know what it is then look it ... read more

Saturday 11th We had a fab morning playing on the beach, which the boys were understandably sorry to leave. We watched Jake carefully and sensibly snorkelling along an inner reef. He came ashore elated with tales of fish, corals and when asked also having seen anemone. We were proud (as so often we are) of his care and delighted in his pleasure. Lunch was a simple vegetable rice after which we headed off on the local bus - actually not overcrowded and a delight. The water safari was wonderful. Within minutes we saw Monitor Lizards and a Jurassic landscape. We were brought a little monkey to hold which felt very odd (liberal thinking modern western morals do not always sit easy here). We also headed to Cinnamon Island where we were fascinated (especially Jake) by being ... read more

Arrived Hikkaduwa Saturday Morning, Now Wednesday morning got up at 5.30am to go and play Volley ball with some local school kids. We got thrashed by a team of 6 girls all between the ages of 10 and 12. Very embarassing. Spending the afternoon painting a school about 30kms away from Seenigama, where we are now staying. Got a party tonight, one of the Sri Lankan staff is celebrating his 24th Birthday and he has invited all of the volunteers along. I am really looking forward to it as the other 18yr old volunteers are turning out to be really good guys and so it should be a real laugh. On Saturday we saw an Elephant being transported down the coast on the back of a truck. Keep you posted... read more

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 I never thought I'd see one overtaking a van, which was overtaking our car, which was overtaking a tri-shaw, which was overtaking a cow who was overtaking a pedestrian. All on a road barley two lanes wide... Anyway, I digress- Seenigama is a village 96km south of Colombo (only a three hour white knuckle ride) and only 15 minutes up ... read more

Claire arrived on Monday…she was supposed to get here at lunchtime but didn’t arrive until nearly midnight! Her flight was delayed about four times and she was stuck in Kuwait!! On Monday at the pre-school we had an “English Day”. We did some activities typical to an English pre school and made cucumber sandwiches! The little ones didn’t really like them that much! As I circulated the classroom they kept spitting them out and holding them out for me to take with a look of disgust on their faces!! They scoffed the bread though! The older ones and teachers seemed to enjoy them more though; only one or two got rid of their cucumbers! On Tuesday I left Claire in bed as she was knackered - she had not slept for over forty hours! I ... read more