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Published: October 15th 2009
Rich Buddha
Haven't quite reached enlightenment yet though.Wednesday we planned to head back go Colombo but before embarquing on another, slightly better planned train journey we filled our morning with a visit to see the giant Buddha that impressively towers over Kandy. It was amazingly peaceful up there and the views were lovely. We had the observation car booked for our train journey back to Colombo, this is the way we should have travelled to Kandy had we been more organised, we have learnt our lesson! The observation car is the back carriage of the train, the only one you can book seats on, it has fantastic views and we got the best seats - right in front of the window. This was both a blessing and a curse ... These seats are right at the back of the train and the journey was like a rollercoaster! It left our stomachs turning and us wondering how on earth it stayed on the tracks. I struggled to stay in my seat at times!
After a night at Sunetra's, our Colombo home, we get up early to pick up our visas. And of course, who else did we bump into than Tom, who was back to collect his visa.
View over Kandy
The only place in the city where it's actually quiet Not turnin out to be as simple as we think we have to leave our passports for a few hours, during which time we wandered to the Thai visa office for some info and took advantage of the air con and free wifi in ... Wait for it ... McDonalds. Disgraceful! But useful and Rich was really impressed with their McRice and chicken. Tom was really impressed with Rich's IPod Touch and got slightly over excited about the little gadget.
I can now happily announce that after all the dilemmas we actually have Indian visas! Woo hoo!!!
We hop on a train, managing to negotiate which, if any of the trains would be running in the midst of an impromptu train strike and just after dark we arrive at Galle, allowing a tout who was promoting our own hotel to find us a tuk tuk we easily find Peakocks in Unawatuna. We know this guys game- he thinks that he can charge commission for 'introducing' us to the hotel. It is awful being so cynical but we know now that no matter how innocent people seem there is always some money making scam behind it. We had prebooked
You can't escape him
Ronald is everywhere (and so is Tom for that matter....) our hotel so no such luck for him... Good news really as after talkin to the hotel owner the cost of the commission would have been added to our bill.
We have chosen a lovely room right on the seafront. Our hotel is right on the beach, so close to the sea that waves often come right up to reception. This whole bay was pretty much wiped out after the tsunami and most of the beach has disappeared. Strangley all of the hotels and bars have been rebuilt ridiculously close to the sea! It feels like they will be washed away in no time. Having said that, this place is beautiful, golden sand, palm trees, masses of bars and restaurants, diving, surfing, yoga...
We have finally got to a point at which we can switch of and relax for a while. Unawatuna truely is paradise :-)
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Jane Ralph
non-member comment
Paradise!
Hi to you both! great to hear of your travels and adventures. Look forward to hearing about the next leg - stay safe! its quite an escapicism reading about your experiences - I wish you both well. Things are quite different here - but that's all a million miles away from where you are at! Life at home is good, lots of great family stuff, and meeting up with Rosemarie later today, Autumn is setting in - weather changing - leaves going golden - beautiful bright clear dry days - until today which is cloudy and rainy - oh well! Paradise your part of the world! reality here!! Love to you both, jane