Writer's block, having a great time and probably some laziness, too, mean my update from the 'hill country' of Sri Lanka is pretty late. In the unlikely event that anyone's noticed the big gap since Shaan's last post, sorry!
After a few days on the beaches and evenings of futile attempts to find some night life, we hopped on a train away from the south coast. 6 uncomfortable hours snaking through jaw-dropping mountain views passed before we arrived in Kandy, the cultural capital of Shaan's homeland.
Our two nights here were among the most comfortable we've had. The highlight was having a bed to ourselves, each! It sounds like a simple pleasure. Until now, though, my sleeping arrangements have rotated between a hard mattress (with any luck) on the floor, a confused and broken commentary of Shaan's current dream or wriggling away from the Welshman's insatiable appetite for a cuddle...
Kandy was worth more than just a decent night's sleep too. We spent our time here wandering around a picturesque lake, gawping at the most enormous reptile (probably a dinosaur) and learning all about the history and production of everyone's favourite breakfast drink.
We bade an emotional farewell to comfort and quality sleep - heading for Nuwara Eylia. The activities came thick and fast here and by now we all needed the exercise. Backpacks were quickly cast aside at the hotel and we made our way to the Pedro (or 'lovers leap') tea estate. Our tour of the factory necessitated the relatively ridiculous outfits modelled below by my more photogenic companions. I kept the Frank Spencer jokes to myself - Rhys doesn't really watch tv.
The following day we decided it would be an excellent idea to rent bikes. It was, for a bit. We set of in the vague direction of 'that hill' we quite fancied scaling on two wheels. The trouble began with the realisation the mountain trails tend to be pretty loose underfoot. With all your might it's possible to achieve one full rotation of your back wheel before once again grinding to a halt. We did eventually make it to the top. Even better, the bikes were still where we left them when we got back down! The quality of cycling picked up dramatically once we found firmer ground and great fun was to be had by all. Coasting down tea-lined tracks having achieved some pretty tough climbs, I could hear the yellow jersey calling. That was until I punctured my back tyre. Unfortunately I didn't think to take a snap of myself crammed into the back of a tuktuk with a bike that on it's own was too big.
All three of us woke the next morning with extremely sore arses. Lucky then that we had a long train journey on rock hard, wooden benches to ease the pain. The mood when we arrived in Ella could perhaps have been better.
Mercifully the pain eased and the mood brightened. As it turns out Ella has to be my pick for favourite place in Sri Lanka. We spent two days here and climbed a mountain on each. Little Adam's Peak first, then the taller Ella Rock. What can you say about climbing a mountain? Take a look at the pictures.
Sri Lanka drew to a close back in Colombo, with Chandra - Shaan's uncle of sorts. Once again we left his place comfortable and well fed, this time for the airport and eventually Jakarta. Goodbye Sri Lanka.
Will
After a few days on the beaches and evenings of futile attempts to find some night life, we hopped on a train away from the south coast. 6 uncomfortable hours snaking through jaw-dropping mountain views passed before we arrived in Kandy, the cultural capital of Shaan's homeland.
Our two nights here were among the most comfortable we've had. The highlight was having a bed to ourselves, each! It sounds like a simple pleasure. Until now, though, my sleeping arrangements have rotated between a hard mattress (with any luck) on the floor, a confused and broken commentary of Shaan's current dream or wriggling away from the Welshman's insatiable appetite for a cuddle...
Kandy was worth more than just a decent night's sleep too. We spent our time here wandering around a picturesque lake, gawping at the most enormous reptile (probably a dinosaur) and learning all about the history and production of everyone's favourite breakfast drink.
We bade an emotional farewell to comfort and quality sleep - heading for Nuwara Eylia. The activities came thick and fast here and by now we all needed the exercise. Backpacks were quickly cast aside at the hotel and we made our way to the Pedro (or 'lovers leap') tea estate. Our tour of the factory necessitated the relatively ridiculous outfits modelled below by my more photogenic companions. I kept the Frank Spencer jokes to myself - Rhys doesn't really watch tv.
The following day we decided it would be an excellent idea to rent bikes. It was, for a bit. We set of in the vague direction of 'that hill' we quite fancied scaling on two wheels. The trouble began with the realisation the mountain trails tend to be pretty loose underfoot. With all your might it's possible to achieve one full rotation of your back wheel before once again grinding to a halt. We did eventually make it to the top. Even better, the bikes were still where we left them when we got back down! The quality of cycling picked up dramatically once we found firmer ground and great fun was to be had by all. Coasting down tea-lined tracks having achieved some pretty tough climbs, I could hear the yellow jersey calling. That was until I punctured my back tyre. Unfortunately I didn't think to take a snap of myself crammed into the back of a tuktuk with a bike that on it's own was too big.
All three of us woke the next morning with extremely sore arses. Lucky then that we had a long train journey on rock hard, wooden benches to ease the pain. The mood when we arrived in Ella could perhaps have been better.
Mercifully the pain eased and the mood brightened. As it turns out Ella has to be my pick for favourite place in Sri Lanka. We spent two days here and climbed a mountain on each. Little Adam's Peak first, then the taller Ella Rock. What can you say about climbing a mountain? Take a look at the pictures.
Sri Lanka drew to a close back in Colombo, with Chandra - Shaan's uncle of sorts. Once again we left his place comfortable and well fed, this time for the airport and eventually Jakarta. Goodbye Sri Lanka.
Will
Well I have been waiting for one, was starting to give up on you! Everything sounds amazing still and really love all the photos. Not sure why you're clenching your bum Will but love the pic :) Take care all of you and hurry up with the next installment. xxx
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