THEFT (and a bit about being back in India)
Trip Start
Nov 01, 2006
1
44
179
Trip End
Oct 31, 2007
Chennai (Madras),
India
Monday, January 15, 2007
While staying in our hotel in Negombo, I had two articles stolen. These were: 1 pair swimming shorts (Speedo, navy blue); and 1 pair boxing shorts (Calvin Klein copies, black). The items were taken between the hours of 9.30am and 11.00am from the low wall surrounding our terrace, where they were drying. Were you staying at the Silver Sands hotel on Negombo Beach on the 14th January 2007? Maybe you saw something suspicious and can help with our inquiries? We've set up a dedicated taskforce who will be working round the clock from our Colombo bureau. The number to call is 0800-4000-9689. We'll be waiting for your call. Despite the nature and seriousness of the crime, however, we do want to assure all readers that these kinds of events are actually very rare on the traveller circuit so please, don't have nightmares - do sleep well.
Aside from this disgusting and outrageous incident, we enjoyed yesterday and this morning in Sri Lanka. We had another splendid curry and rice at the 'Sands and took a last longing look at the Indian Ocean through the whitewashed arches of this breezy and relaxed (though, it seems, hopelessly crimeridden) place. After lunch we went to pack up and I found it much easier than previously because I had so much less to pack after the HEINOUS and CALLOUS theft perpetrated against me. (Personal note: must try to put this into perspective - they're only pants, for god's sake.) We then began our marathon journey north to Hong Kong, via Chennai and New Delhi. Three days and three flights. Most important, it meant diving back in to the crazy cauldron of India to see how much it had changed in two weeks.
Unfortunately we didn't see a great deal during our 12 hour stay in Chennai. We got to our hotel (Ranjith, ok - little overpriced) and went to the airconditioned Crystal bar for a nightcap. There were some very impressive complimentary bar snacks but it was really very airconditioned (ok, cold) so we retreated to our room for the second half of Basic Instinct. It really is a dog of a movie, isn't it? An early start tomorrow for flight 2 of 3. So far so good: all baggage in tact on arrival and no more items missing (I'm not sure I mentioned it, but I recently had some things taken from me). (T)
