Author: gingertravellerblog

Galle

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We left Udawalae this morning ready for the long drive to Galle where we will be spending the last three days. Before hitting the road we stopped at the Elephant Transit; an orphanage for baby elephants to try and rehabilitate them. All 40 of them came for their 9am feed of milk and leafy branches which was so lovely to watch. I particularly liked the baby who was getting very stroppy because he wanted more food; he is literally me in elephant form. There was even one with a wooden leg! Unfortunately it includes one of the worst toilet stops. I don’t even want to know what I was paddling in….

We arrived at Galle Fort around lunchtime so headed straight for a beer; however no alcohol could be served today (for some obscure reason) so Santa had to settle for a Sprite instead. Hopefully the rule doesn’t extend until tomorrow as the hotel has a 4hr happy hour!

We had a short time in Galle Fort as is definately somewhere we will head back to tomorrow; via tuktuk of course. There’s some fabulous little shops there, I might have to buy a new case just to take it all home.

We enjoyed another sunset over the ocean tonight. Not as spectacular as our first one here but still a beautiful one. I am looking forward to relaxing on the beach on Friday, and finally getting a lie in.

Lunugamvehera

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Today was the super early alarm time of 04:45! We were given breakfast boxes to keep us going on our way to Lunugamvehera National Park, however some of the contents was rather questionable.. I decided not the put the sausage anywhere near my mouth!

The safari started on the same style of jeep as yesterday and we crossed a bridge made of railway sleepers. How this thing can be classed as safe I have absolutely no idea 🀣 but we managed it across alive and didn’t plunge into the water below through the very rotten wood. We drove around for 3 hours but unfortunately we didn’t get to see any leopards. We did however see a huge variety of eagle (including one pulling a lizard apart!) Kingfishers, Bee Catchers, a very rare (so we’re told) Paradise Flycatcher and of course, peacocks! We also had a few crocodile and jackals thrown in as well. Our tour manager told us that in 20 years he has never been round a park where he hasn’t seen an elephant or a wild boar… How bloody typical!

This afternoon we were finally able to strip off, don the bikini and relax by the pool. It was much needed after a few days of early starts. Santa’s head is obviously glowing from slightly too many rays. Cases are all packed ready for us to move on to the final part of Sri Lanka tomorrow!

Udawalawe

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We had an early start this morning (not as early as tomorrow mind… 04:45 alarm set 😭) as we had a lot of distance to travel. We left the dizzy heights of Nuwara Eliya and travelled through the mountains, stopping off at Rawana Ella Falls on the way. Standing at 19m it was a lovely place to visit but so many stray dogs everywhere (even more than normal) which was quite upsetting to see.

After a quick bag dump at the next hotel we headed out for Udawalawe National Park for our first of two safaris. We had probably only been going for about 5 minutes before we saw our first elephant. Words can’t really describe how amazing it was to see them being in their natural habitat. We saw adults and babies; eating, drinking and playing. We saw a large variety of beautiful birds and a slightly out of place peacock. Further into the safari we saw water buffalo and crocodile as well as an eagle. The landscape was spectacular and like nothing I have ever seen before. The rays coming through the clouds made it even more dramatic. As like every day so far, when 5pm came the thunder and lightning started and the heavens opened. My god did it rain!! But what an experience being in that environment in a storm.

Today has been an incredible experience and one I will never forget!

Nuwara Eliya

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Before leaving Kandy this morning we had an early visit to Temple of the Tooth. We got there around 8am and I would definately recommend getting there as early as possible as it was getting incredibly busy as we left. Whilst it was a beautiful building inside, it felt a bit intrusive stepping all over people as they prayed on the floor. They have clearly spent a lot of money on the architecture, it’s just a shame they didn’t put some of that to use in the toilets!

We left Kandy and headed for the hills to one of the many tea plantations on offer. Ours was the Glenloch factory. We had a tour of the factory and it was interesting to see they’re still using very old fashioned machinery. You wouldn’t want to mess with the woman who work in there… They are strong! We were then able to pick our own leaves and the most smiliest lady came to offer assistance as my basket was rather empty.

At 7000ft above sea level we arrived in Nuwara Eliya. At 20 degrees it’s still perfectly warm enough for us, but the locals clearly see it as arctic as half of them have wooly hats and scarves on! Always one to sniff out an afternoon tea, we ordered it straight away and enjoyed it in the sun in the garden before heading into the town to observe more local life. We found the market (not the looky looky type) and it was fascinating watching them go about their day, buying their fruit and veg etc. The noises, the smells… everything was so interesting to watch!

Santa obviously sniffed out the local pub which was rather seedy and the facilities were ropey to say the least. We quickly drank up and left. I couldn’t get away quick enough after being told by a creepy bloke in a creepy way ‘you look nice’

A few Mojitos in the bar in front of the fire (yes… really) and bed before another 5:45am start.

Another day in Kandy!

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This morning we were treated to a lie in (not tomorrow… 05:45 alarm is set 😭) and started the day off in the Royal Botanical Gardens, Peradeniya. This was right up our street; National Trust but on a larger scale!

We had only been in the garden 5 minutes before the first request for a selfie came in from a group of school girls, who thought the ginger locks were absolutely fabulous. Half the time I felt like a celebrity with the selfies, however some pointed their lens from afar which made me feel slightly like a zoo animal.

We decided to spend the afternoon exploring Kandy centre. Just sitting and watching the traffic was an interesting experience. No shits are given! We got half way round the lake before the heavens opened again so headed for the market to get some shelter. It was looky looky at it’s finest, but I was persuaded to buy some elephant trousers which will come in very handy when I’ve had a big meal (every day…) Momma also got some trousers and Santa a new linen top.

There was only one mode of transport to get back to the hotel, and that was of course by tuk tuk. £2.50 for a 20 minute journey is an absolute bargain!! It was however, one of the scariest things we have been on. Health and safety at it’s finest. But we made it back in one piece (just) to enjoy yet another thunderstorm.

Santa found a new beer tonight; an 8.8% stout. I’m sure he will be staggering up the stairs soon!

 

Kandy

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It’s been a relatively quiet day today so there’s not much to report!

We left the hotel this morning via a herb and spice garden. It was actually quite interesting; what the guide didn’t know about it all wasn’t worth knowing. Whack a bit of lime in everything if you want to get thin! The highlight however was Santa having his shirt removed and being rubbed all over by a hairy Sri Lankan.

We then headed for Kandy where we will be staying for the next two nights and we were taken to the Kandy Cultural Show. What can I say…. They tried hard and it was interesting to see their traditional dancing. However, the hall was like something you’d get in a high school and the one slightly chubbier dancer looked like he might have a heart attack at any minute. We then had fire eaters and walkers. I found it rather uncomfortable whilst he was licking his firey stick and making eyes at me 🀣 The whole thing was a rather ‘interesting’ experience!

Sigiriya

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This morning was another early one to get a head start up Sigiriya Rock. It was already 30 degrees when we arrived which meant I was one crispy ginger. The 1202 step climb to the top was a very very sweaty one; make sure you have good footwear as some of the steps are less than friendly. However the view at the top was spectacular. How they managed to build what they did up there I will never know! This is not one for those who aren’t good with heights as the last part of the climb is a sheer drop over the side of the rails (which could have easily happened seeing some of the people we had to brush past). Also be aware of the creepy men who will do anything to literally drag you to the top for a few cheeky Rupee in return. A polite shoo usually does the trick.

As our hotel has a variety of wildlife we decided to go on the hunt after our rocky climb. We were lucky enough to see kingfishers, lizards and fruit bats to name a few (but mostly because I have no clue what anything else was 🀣)

This afternoon we visited a traditional village in Sigiriya via bullock and cart and a Sri Lankan ‘catamaran’. Whilst enjoying a leisurely float we saw the rain coming in and mother nature let it all go again – poncho wanker round 2! We watched a local lady demonstrate their everyday chores, such as weaving palm leaves and de-husking rice paddy. She made us a delicious dish of sambal and roti bread followed by watermelon. It was such a great experience seeing how they go about their everyday life.

Getting back to the minibus was another experience; tuktuk monsoon style! Ours had the most impressive sound system so momma enjoyed a mini rave!

Dinner time = more curry and pudding from what can only be described as Willy Wonka’s cupboard!

Dambulla & Habarana

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We had an early start this morning as we had a lot of distance to cover. As we left Negombo we stopped at the dry fish market which was of course fabulously fragrant 🀢 but it was so interesting watching the locals at work.

Arriving in Dambulla meant one thing; cave temples. We had a very sweaty climb (in preparation for Sigiriya tomorrow) to the UN world heritage site and had our first introduction to Buddhist religion. The caves are beautifully painted and house over 150 statues. Don’t forget your socks if you ever visit here unless you have no feeling in your feet as the floor is incredibly hot! Also don’t forget to have shoulders and knees covered so whip out those patterned trousers!

Keep an eye out for all the local monkeys. One had it’s willy out and the other was breastfeeding!

We arrived in Habarana and had our first taste of monsoon. Practically swimming to the room was an absolute treat. Hopefully mother nature behaves and keeps away tomorrow so we can get up the rock dry (although I’m sure it will be moist from the shear volume of sweat)

We enjoyed another curry tonight although I accidently had an incredibly hot one… #ringsting

Santa is currently fast asleep in the lobby. Think he has had one too many beers!!

 

We’ve arrived in Negombo!

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Our flight to Sri Lanka was particularly fragrant (in the words of Santa; does it smell a bit pissy on here) but when you get gin, curry and actual metal cutlery you soon forget about it! I am still incredibly jealous of those with the skill (Tilly) to fall asleep bolt upright for the duration of the flight. It’s something I’m yet to perfect so spent my time having broken sleep and playing games on the ‘entertainment system’. Thank God for being a shift worker and having a knackered body clock anyway!!

A short drive from Colombo airport brought us to our first hotel in Negombo. As you’ve probably guessed, yes I am the youngest on the tour by at least 100 years. It’s a stunning hotel with a 100m pool (which yes I managed but then ended up with a rash 🀣) and posh sunloungers (no plastic blue here!) The bathroom is even outside!

Whilst most people went to relax, I had other ideas and dragged Santa for a kayak on the lagoon before watching the most incredible sunset. I’ve been lucky to see many sunsets around the world, but this was definately up there with the best.

Dinner was of course; curry 😍 Santa found the local beer and I enjoyed a very strong Mojito. Momma had her usual tipple of diet coke.

I’m off outside to do my teeth; what an absolute treat.. then bed before a day of temples and caves tomorrow.