Mount Lodge Mount Lavinia

... at the hand-basins. So we all troop backwards and forward with our own supplies to meet our own requirements. It’s not that the toilets are dirty – absolutely not – the cleaner is frequently mopping the floor and cleaning all the touchable surfaces. It’s just that the approach to maintaining hygene is different. The floor is swamped with water - and it is water – so we paddle around the ladies loo not allowing our leather soled ...

... to vacation elsewhere. We can choose to purchase the goods and services of other nations which celebrate diversity, rather than murder, rape, and eradicate diversity from their midst as the Sri Lankan people have chosen to do. Boycott Sri Lanka.

... were cars passing, or to the right where we were walking along a barbed wire fence. Finally I got the attention of the leader, who had been videotaping my son up ahead, and told him we needed to go back. "It was about time to go back anyway," he said. "Smile and wave!" When we dismounted, they wanted to give us a presentation about the important work they're doing for elephants, and in spite of a clear pitch for a donation (or a tip), I just ...

... palace ruin foundations. Our next stop would be about 1 1/2 hours away, Polonoruwa.To drive there we go through part of a national park which has wild elephants. Sarath says it's possible we may see one cross the road and there is evidence several times that one had been there very recently (elephant dung!).He also told me that within the past year at one particular spot on the road where there happens to be a small roadside store,that people started feeding one of the elephants ...

... was empty but had some tables set up for later. Now - a blackmark against Sri Lanka for Christmas - it's a public holiday and they don't serve alcohol.......so, on with the food. Chris and I ate Sri Lankan - an amazing array of curry dishes, side dishes, wonderful string-hoppers (noodles made from rice flour) - most Sri Lanka meals served up about 8 different dishes to pick your through. Andy & Max ate western - Max had the Spag Bol ...

... one point or another. We stopped for lunch at a lovely little café en route on the way home. We had Sri Lankan chicken rolls, spring rolls and vegetable pastries. It was nice, and we watched a bit of the cricket on the tiny, fuzzy tv. When we hit the road again, Mihiri organised a game. We had to take turns in naming a country with each letter of the alphabet. When that game fizzled out, we played 'Assassins and Angels' which is a pretty complicated ...

... the way ) after 45 minutes of this Del and I were wondering if we would end up missing our stop ( and I was wishing I had used the loo in Colombo and not drunk so much water ) when finally the bus found its way back to the Kandy road and we arrived in Kegalle ( the journey having taken 4 hours ) just as the heavens opened and soaked us Next time I think I will take the train Sam P.s will update on the Temple dogs, Mango and Bindu tommorow

... his family, including his sister Shehani, who I had some good chats with. The beach at Negombo was relaxing and my first taste of the Sri Lankan coast (next time I have to go further south for more good beaches). FOOD: Gastronomical heaven for 2 weeks!!! Kaushi managed to introduce me to a lot (perhaps too many) delicious dishes! And I now also have a few recipes in my pocket that I am so keen to try out...as soon ...

... even just wants to chat about becoming a volunteer I would advise that you call Sunil or Sara during office hours Monday to Friday remembering that we are 4 and half hours ahead of UK time (although how you end up with half an hour difference is beyond me) The MEF office numbers are (94) 35 2220005 or (94) 35 2265377. Or you can check out the MEF website on www.eureka.ik/elefound

... was relieved to see Eva (also from Bacolod) waiting for us there. Our first need was food. With all our luggage in tow, we rode the shuttle to the regular terminal and explored the restaurants that were open. The Lahksa looked good - squid, fish, shrimp, mushrooms, noodles. It was also filling and compared with the other items, relatively cheap. The others found it too spicy but I loved it, so did Kristine, whose appetite did not quite match her petite frame. After we'd eaten ...