Having left Sri Lanka earlier that day it was a slight culture shock stepping into the modern frenzy of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia’s capital city. With Air Asia offering dirt cheap rates around the region Kuala Lumpur, or simply KL, is a stop on just about all itineraries through south east asia and was our home for two nights while we waited to board another Air Asia flight to Manilla, Philippines.
Dagoba Overdose
January 21, 2010 By 3 Comments
While Sri Lanka may be best known for its pristine beaches and producing some of the best tea in the world in the hill country, it also contains some of the finest archaeological wonders in Asia. North of the hill country lies the “Cultural Triangle” including ancient Buddhist caves in Dambulla, the giant rock citadel in Sigriya, the endless ruins of Anuradhpura and plenty more in between. With extremely high entrance fees and time for only one site we polled each group of travelers coming from the opposite direction and decided to head to Anuradhapura.
Sri Lankan Kandy
January 20, 2010 By 7 Comments
Nick had good reason to be lazy after he returned from Adam’s Peak, so we decided to shell out the cash for a taxi ride to Kandy and avoid the routine of standing on an overcrowded bus getting a headache. When we arrived at our wonderful guest house, Mcleod Inn, we went for a walk and ended up spotting tons of wildlife in the second largest city in the country.
Misty Mountain Hop
January 19, 2010 By 4 Comments
Since our last bus journey proved to be a little exhausting to say the least, we were happy to be departing Ella by train to Nuwara Eliya. The train journey from Ella is listed as one of Lonely Planet’s “must do” activities in Sri Lanka, so to make the most of it we opted for the observation car expecting fantastic views. The views did not disappoint but the cultural side of the train trip was not there so I spent most of the time in the second class area chatting about Canada with a group of Muslim boys and a car load of their siblings. For those interested, second class is a much livelier scene with songs being sung, food being passed around and loud conversation booming through the car compared to the rather sullen mood of the observation car.
Ella, Ella, Eh, Eh, Eh
January 14, 2010 By 10 Comments
When I had to take deep breathes and count to ten in order to hold back tears, I mentally checked off the bus ride from Tangalle to Wellawaya as (one of) our worst yet. Standing at the bus stop in Tangalle we saw a bus overflowing with people and when a man told us it was going to Wellawaya we figured we would have to wait for the next one, but he squished us on much to my dismay. Trying desperately not to get pushed to the back where I was sure to have a claustrophobic-breakdown, Nick found me a thin bar that circled the driver where I sat for the next 3 hours causing all circulation to my legs to be cut off. Nick remained standing but eventually shuffled himself to a small corner where he was able to sit on my backpack for the rest of the journey. A quick switch in Wellawaya and we began to climb the mountain roads towards Ella.
Nick got published!
January 13, 2010 By 8 Comments
by Lianna
Well sort of…
Schmap, an online destination guide, used Nick’s photo of Dublin Mountains – Sally Gap for their guide. They went on his Flickr account and asked him if he would allow them to use it. I think it’s pretty damn cool but Nick didn’t want to bring attention to it on the blog so I’m posting this behind his back!
www.schmap.com/dublin/sights_outandabout/p=51671/i=51671_37.jpg
The Perfect Beach – Mirissa vs Tangalla
January 12, 2010 By 1 Comment
Travel along the south coast of Sri Lanka and it seems these two beach towns are constantly being compared to one another with various reasons why. We have enjoyed our time in both but found they have completely different personalities and there are definite reasons why some choose one over the other. This post will hopefully paint a picture for any tourists venturing this way.
Paradise Found! Tangalla
January 11, 2010 By 1 Comment
Another short bus trip further east along the Sri Lanka’s South coast brought us to Tangalla. With no accommodations booked our first attempt at finding a room failed but with a new recommendation we were checked into Panaroma hotel not long after. Bags thrown to the ground and it was time to hit the beach.
