Not much really needs to be said ! Baby and juvenile elephants in a transit home , where they will be cared for until they can be released into Udawalawe National Park to live in the wild. Numbers of calves have been born in the wild to released elephants over the last 20 years, so … Continue reading Baby elephants →

Yala National Park, I’ll let the photographs tell the story The leopard photograph didn’t come out clearly, however we had a long sighting, as he (or she) lazed, then stretched, then ambled off into the bush. Just a magnificent creature. As for other types of leopards , well the place we stayed for one of … Continue reading Animals and a dodgy guesthouse →

The train line from Kandy to Ella is deserving of its position in Top 10 train rides, it’s spectacular, something I have always wanted to do but never dreamed it would be possible. So British, the train stations and the trains and the tea guy coming through, except it was Sri Lankan chai on offer … Continue reading Trains, tea and a zip line →

After a crazy couple of temple days, we had a peaceful day wandering around Kandi after a truly lovely Sri Lankan breakfast. The food here has been amazing, fresh and tasty, lots of rice, curry and vegetables, all freshly prepared with real spices. It’s not scary hot, so far, and so cheap if you eat … Continue reading Cool Kandy →

An amazing couple of days of visiting temples, climbing many stairs, admiring views and marvelling at stupas and statues from well before the birth of Christ. A sapling planted 2300 years ago, taken from the tree under which the Buddha received Enlightenment; the beautiful offerings made at the tree, fresh flowers allowed to dry over … Continue reading Sigiriya and steps, Buddhas and stupas →

Two days in Negombo, the colours are so vibrant and the smells, well it’s an authentic experience for sure ! I’ve done a couple of trips, one a TikTok tour of the city and yesterday a boat trip along canals and the lagoon. Two Roman Catholic cathedrals, a Hindu temple, a Buddhist temple; none of … Continue reading Colours and smells →

I’m sitting in the open air dining room, looking at the pool and Indian Ocean, drinking a cup of reasonable coffee. The waiter knows to just bring coffee ! Smooth 80’s pop in the background and a lot very fruit platter, I feel like I’m halfway back to my backpacker days. Yesterday was very quiet, … Continue reading First day in Sri Lanka →

The first stage of the journey and an exceedingly sweet fruit tea in Singapore airport. I asked for low sugar, got 25% (25% of what, I have no idea, pure sugar syrup maybe) which is making my teeth ache. However it’s cold and refreshing so will be just fine. I’m off to Sri Lanka for … Continue reading On the way to Sri Lanka →

Footscray is a suburb in Melbourne I lived in, nearly 30 years ago. We’re staying here, as it’s close to a caravan and camping show but also for me to revisit an area I thought I remembered. However there is so little here that stirs any memories at all. I don’t recognise anywhere. In comparison, … Continue reading Revisiting Footscray →

Well, checking my British passport and finding it expired by 6 days felt like a minor inconvenience. Then reading the change in entry rules for the UK, it seems that all dual citizens have to enter on their British passports as we are ineligible to enter on our other passport. In my case, my Australian … Continue reading Unable to enter the UK →