Jan and Roy

Finished unpacking and had a long shower. Then we went out in search of breakfast. Didn’t have to look too far, there is a Fresh and Co just next door with a huge range of things to choose from. I ended up with a wholewheat bagel and peanut butter. Roy had blueberry pancakes. The coffee was weak, but hot. After breakfast we came back to the hotel to regroup and plan our day. All signs of snow were gone, and the day was clear with blue skies. We decided it was the day for Empire State Building. We arrived there just after 9 and the lines were already building up nicely! I’d booked Express Pass tickets which meant that we just flashed them at the staff and were fast tracked through the various lines - one ... read more

Did not sleep. We were both awake from 1.30am. Our car was picking us up at 5. We got up just after 4 and our alarm call came, as promised at 4.30a.m - but the coffee and pastries we'd asked for didn't. They finally arrived at 10 to 5 and we quickly ate before heading down to reception to pay our bill and check out. I was surprised to see that we'd been charged 600 rupees for a small plate of cashews that they sell for 250- in the mini-bar! Anyway..... According to Seelan, on Sundays, it takes "two an an 'alf how-ers" to reach the airport. As we left, it was still dark and as daylight broke, we saw people starting their day. Women all in Sunday whites. Is it really a week since we ... read more

Woke at 5am with period pains. Great, just what I needed - and unexpected. Had some coffee on the balcony at 6.45am and watched the tankers out at sea. Ask anybody who knows me and they'll tell you how thorough I am at packing for my holidays. I'm using a packing list I've had for years and there is nothing essential that isn't on there. But (and you knew there was a but) this time, I did not bring any sanitary protection whatsoever. I broke the golden rule of never travelling without tampax - expecially in a developing country. Before breakfast, we went to the hotel shop. There is a small cabinet with toiletries and stuff in it, but they didn't have tampax, only pads. I bought some and asked the girl where I might get ... read more

Woke at 5.30am! Roy still not too good. At 6.30 I was sitting out on the balcony, waving good morning to our very efficient and very cheery pool boy. It was quiet everywhere so I went downstairs to take some early morning photos of the pool and beach. At about 7.30am we went for breakfast and by 9.30am we were in place on our sunbeds! I went for a swim in the sea, it was lovely - very warm. Roy walked down with me and to his disgruntlement whilst I had a dip Chandika came along to talk to him about us taking a tour with him! The more I could see him getting irritated by this, the longer I decided to stay in the sea. Evil :-) Late morning I had a swim in the ... read more

Woke at 6, which was not my plan! Listened to music, watched the ocean and just generally lazed around until 8.30am. Last night, Aminda showed us the "best room" in the hotel - a suite called the Residence. It was huge, with a fibre optic lit private pool hanging over the gardens and sea. It had a giant jacuzzi and huge Smeg fridge. He didn't tell us the room rate! We like our room though. It has a huge bed, CD/DVD player, bose sound system, plasma screen tv and an ipod, loaded with 6000+ songs. We've got it on shuffle and were jigging around to Bhangra or something like that first thing. There is a library with dvds and books to borrow. Breakfast was a buffet - first time we encountered this. But what a spread! ... read more