After a fabulous 15 days in Sri Lanka, we’re back and have put together this quick guide. Stories: First impressions of Colombo Galle through the eyes of one of Nigel’s ancestors Sri Lankan street pics Jane’s perspective on our road trip Sigiriya and Duran Duran Pictures from a safari Jane’s fears for a safari are … More Sri Lanka signposter
As you may know, I love taking candid street shots with a telephoto lens. I think the results often sum up the essence of a place more than anything else. Here are a few pics that I took across the two weeks that we were in Sri Lanka.
The creases in Ranjith’s shirt sleeves were razor sharp. Two first-timers to Sri Lanka in the back, with a 600 mile wish list, and no pre-booked transport? This was a big day for him. At the wheel next to Ranjith: his friend Nandana. Sensing a flinch as we squeezed between two tuktuks and a trash … More Six hundred miles and Sri Lankan smiles: views from the back seat
After two long train journeys in Sri Lanka, we learnt a lot. Here are our top 10 tips: Plan ahead Many of the longer distance trains have reserved carriages set aside in 1st, 2nd and 3rd class sections, which will guarantee you a seat. Some go on sale a month in advance, but go fast. … More Train travel in Sri Lanka: 10 top tips to keep you on track
My favourite year for music is 1982. In fact, three of my top five albums of all time were released in that year. One of those is Rio by Duran Duran. I know this is a travel blog, but music looms large in the lives of the 2emptynesters and we all know how songs can … More Sigiriya – save a prayer for Lion Rock
There were men in ties in Tissamaharama. Ties, in the midday sun. The clear sign of brisker business than we’d spotted at the straggles of roadside stalls selling coconuts, watermelon and fairly fresh fish along our long and dusty route. My stomach churned a bit at the realisation that we were closing in on our … More Tears, but no fears, on my first time safari
In this video, we get chef Suranga to show us how to make Sri Lankan dahl and delicious fish curry.
This morning, we took our first walk from our villa near Tangalle in Sri Lanka along the beach. It was stunning. Coconut palms and mangroves right up to the shoreline. Big Indian Ocean waves. Deserted sandy beach. Just idyllic. And then I spotted this chap. He was only about 20cm long and I thought from … More Taking risks whilst travelling
In 1857, a 22 year old James Gibson would have seen Pointe de Galle (or simply, Galle, as it is now) for the first time some way off in the distance. He would have noticed the large, robust fort on the headland which indicated the harbour beyond. He would, at this stage of the journey, … More Echoes of the past – a visit to Galle
‘You know what I feel like?’ my juddering voice shouted to Nigel, one hand gripping the tuk tuk’s plastic bench seat like grim death, the other clinging claw-like to the front ‘safety bar’. ‘I feel like a real travel pro, now ‘. His mocking reply was drowned out by Colombo’s roar; its dusty city centre … More Colombo – a great introduction to Sri Lanka
2emptynesters 