Kandy

Our hotel in Negumbo sorted us out with a fixer, a local guy called Thusara, to take us onwards to Kandy. It seems that this is pretty common within SL as although its not a particular big country but it just simply takes an age to get around.

And OMG if we thought Negumbo was busy, Kandy is utterly crazy!  Many road users - elephants, tuk tuk, leyland truck circa 1960, moped with a family of 4 on, the odd cow and of course then there are the buses - everyone gives way to these as they are the biggest and brightest.  The journey can't have been more than 100km but took 4 hours.

Thusara has booked us into a hotel, The Eden Garden, from here we made our way to Sigiriya and climbed this 5th century rock fortress that was built by King kashyapa in 477 - 495 AD, it rises 656 ft out of the jungle below, some view at the top and of course a couple of ozzies discussing cricket (Dambulla the next town was hosting the NZ v Sri Lanka match the following day).

Got chatting in the bar that night with Richard, a Geophysicist (oil) from Huston, boy could he talk, but so funny.  He gave us some travel tips as he had travelled the world (first class) care of some large oil giant.  Didn't think at this point that it was a good moment to mention my views on post peak oil!

Following day was a trip to the Golden Budda and the sacred caves that were occupied in the 2nd century by buddhists monks.  Like most places we have visited, shoes are a no no as are Fe's shoulders.  One of the monks, shaved head and dressed in orange and dedicated his life to buddhism didn't seem to want to give up his blackberry!

Moving on, enroute to Kandy we stopped at a Herbal Garden.  Here they grew everything like pepper, cloves, cinnamon, pineapple, tumeric, sandlewood and jak fruit (largest fruit in the world but might google that and see).  Was good to see all these things that are in our spice draw growing in their natural way and like soooo organic you know.

Our second hotel that Thusara fixed was in Kandy by the lake, The Suiss, very nice and very colonial.  Used by Lord Mountbatten.

Right we off for a spot of lunch. More to follow eh...

Cheers drive........

Ere, today we hired "a drive" as fellow road users, be it Tuk-Tuk, Austin Cambridge, Leyland bus pre 1960, the odd elephant, motorbike or three coming up the inside. So you could say it's a little hairy out there !

Negombo, Sri Lanka

After an early start followed by a fish curry breakfast 4 odd hours later we fly into the Emerald isle, Sri Lanka.  the flight is one that will stick with us for a long while.  At one point there were more people standing than sitting.  the main cause seemed to be filling out the standing emigration form that needed completing prior to landing.  We got the feeling that only a handful of passengers could complete the such a form and 2 of those passengers were me and Doris.

Then appeared the duty free trolley, now I know the Brits are champion at queuing but these fellas pitched up pretty high as 15/20 formed a queue in the central isle, then the haggling started for 'best price' of course.  We could only guess that their time in the emirates as been at dry as our was.

Then we land and the whole routine of standing up starts all over, way before the stewards even think about the seltbelt signs switching off.  Happy days like these hey!

For the last few days we have been chillin the breeze within Negombo, enjoying the local curry.

We met a chap on the beach, a local called Fernando who said he would take us on a tour of the area.  We walked along the beach, north of Negombo, which was affected by the tsunami.  Along the beach front there were many piles of bricks that would have been houses.  Our hotel lost its restaurant, pool and reception area.  Just off the beachfront many people live in township style housing, with no running water, just a standpipe in the road that is only on 2 hours per day and no toilet - Apparently Fernando stated that they use the sea. He also commented that within 10 years the local government are looking to remove all residents from such appalling conditions. We walked further inland and passed a church that was under renovation, having a new tin roof! 
We moved onto the fish market which was amazing (so was the smell!) a sight we never would have seen as lone tourists.  Through the gutting area.  Ladies then covered the fish in salt and placed in drums in the sun for a few days.

Large sheets lay in the sun with thousands of different types of fish drying in the sun for up to 4 days. 

Nothing is wasted, the bones are ground down and sold for animal feed.  All done under pretty hard conditions, mega fly problem!  But really fascinating to a couple of outsiders.  Then onto the fish market, but a remarkably no smell.  Every fish you could think off was being sold for best price.  Locals and traders all haggling for the best fish at the best price.  Then we hit Negumbo high street, now this was busy.  Everything and anything could be bought here from car parts to flipflops.  As for heat increased we jumped in a tuk-tuk to head back to the hotel feeling rather humbled. 

Tomorrow we move onto Kandy, for some inland action.

Abu Dhabi (UAE)

Known as the laid back brother of Dubai, although being the capital.  Bus ride to AD event free, 2 hour (air con'd) journey for just 4 quid.  Second hotel was more 'downtown' than the last.  Very busy spot.  In the land of oil we have found taxis are nice and cheap. 
We headed out to the  Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque for a free 10am tour.  All ladies to don the burqa before going inside, gents ok in trousers.  Shoes off all the way.  A beautiful building, very understated with plenty of gold, crystals and the worlds largest carpet weighing in at only 35 tonnes.  Hard to believe that the local composting plant had more recognition on the map than the mosque itself (5th largest in the world).  With Ramadan coming up it was all hands to the pump with polishing the gold.

This weekend, especially Friday all were out in force given it was the last weekend prior to Ramadan.  The streets were packed and the beaches were full with families having fun.  A nice change to a land where nobody seems to kick back and relax.

Dinner at the Marina Mall Tower as recommended, was at the top of the tower in the revolving restaurant.   We had once course in one rotation.  Great views even if a bit creaky (must be the heat). One course/rotation was all our budget could stretch to.  We skipped coffees and headed for the elevator, trouble is, it had moved!

Opted for a bit of glam on our last day and went for afternoon tea at the Emirates Palace (7* hotel).  Collar and skirt was the order of the day, even if a little creased (the true traveller look).  Cucumber sandwiches and scones with Devonshire cream! 

Miss
F - Blagging a day in a 7* hotel!
D - Cheap taxis

Won't miss
F - Call for prayer at 4.30 am
D - No PDA allowed!

Dubai (UAE)

And so our journey begins, our first destination a stopover in Dubai (UAE) where we have done a lot of relaxing.  The first thing to hit us was the heat!  46c by day and dropping to a chilly 40c by night.  Given such heat we headed for the Dubai Creek and had a ride on a Abra (a traditional Arabian boat), always cooler on the water.  Wondered through old Dubai souk, avoided any spending as our rucksacks are already bulging.

Our next cooling event, the Palm Jumeirah Atlantis Hotel waterpark.  A 90ft slide, known as the leap of faith - this certainly was a lycra tester!  The water was slightly chilled which was a nice relief (not even the cold tap runs cold in the Emirates).  A cheeky stay at the Atlantis Hotel is a mere 10k a night.
On our final day in Dubai we spent it in the desert.  Dune bashing.  Travel sickness tester or what!  Crazy mad Arab at the wheel of a 4x4 (sick bag handed out before we even started).  This lead to an oasis, desert camp where we bbq'd, rode camels and attempted some belly dancing.

Miss
F - Sheikhs driving ridiculously expensive cars very fast!
D - Sheikhs get up!  There is something mystical about the whole look

Not miss
F - The heat
D - The noise generated by the cooling of the Emirates. Mass segregation.

Me now officially 'I M O L' (International Man of Leisure) lol.

Do now feel that a steady coast is being maintained within the run-up to departure...........

The Move

Well the day had come when we had to leave Mrytle Villa.  Brother Mike and Master Brigham helped us load up the vans.  We did 2 trips with both vans.  Opted for the 40sqft storage in the end.  Filling the space was like playing a giant Tetrus!

Eventually left the house on Sunday night and drove to Downend.  Another step closer to our massive adventure!

10k, tick

Both did the Bristol 10k this morning.  Dave 45 mins and Fe 57 mins. Very pleased seeing there was minimum, well zero actually, training!

More pain next week, our jabs!

Tenant for house, tick

Get the champers out, we have a family for Mrytle Villa!   Ernst has been relocated from Toulouse by British Aerospace.  The family will be moving in on 7th June so we have exactly 4 weeks to move out.  Downend here we come!  Went to look at storage today, think 30sqft will be enough, the lady there seemed to think 3 boxes was enough for the average wardrobe, she was surprised to hear I had over 120 pairs of knickers!

Just the car and van to flog now!

She's now officially up for rent

Mrytle Villa has made the front page of the Evening Post letting section!  The hunt for a family to enjoy 108 begins.

Our tune, Simon Bates style.

This song seems to fit our trip perfectly!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLt43ExKqso

RTW footwear test up Brown Willy

Staring down yet another wet Bank holiday we head off to Cornwall with the normal gusto with a plan of a gentle stroll out on Bodmin Moor. Out and back to the van in 5 odd hours, 11 miles later the new footwear seems to have delivered. No drama or blisters to report. Oooh that first pint felt good in the Blisland Inn.