Brash, loud, colorful and usually a crazy old ride, the tuk tuk is synonymous with the Indian subcontinent and Asia. Sri Lanka was no exception and having ridden a in a few, less well put together versions in India, they weren’t exactly a new novelty; that is until I looked closer and started to see […]
We’ve all heard the phrase killing with kindness. Well, on awaking in Ella at my-o-so cute guesthouse the appropriate term was killing with breakfast. My hosts, a lovely family running fledgling Lucky Star really had gone all out preparing enough food to feed me for the whole day. Unfortunately I’ve never been one to leave […]
Dambulla – Kandy, 72km Mean dog count: 1/2 Breakdowns (emotionally and functionally): 3 Hills: 47 Hoping not to see any more X rated monkeys I set off for the big one, 72km from Dambulla to Hill country capital Kandy. The ride started well until I encountered my first hill, and then another, making the first […]
Habanara – Giritale 38km Mean Dog Count: 1 Docile Dog Count: 57 Following on from ‘Dog Gate’ I was a little apprehensive on leaving Habanara for the 38km to Giritale, just outside of Polonnaruwa. Setting off at 8am (and not before) to avoid the wild elephants which I had been warned were “Very fast! Very […]
I set off on Monday morning all excited with my Disney panniers in tow. I’ve never been one for packing light so having all my worldly belongings for a few weeks in two small children’s satchels was in itself a small victory. The train ride to Anuradhapura was a pleasant one and I hung out […]
New Year That urgent need to put down the miniature chocolates, re locate your trainers and shed that cushy ring you’ve developed round your middle. Despite any trace that it is in fact January, (apart from a banana pancake induced gut) this urge has not escaped me, and after languishing on numerous beaches in Goa […]
As 2014 draws near it’s a good time to share the highlights of my last two incredible months in India. I’ve only been away a week yet I’m already dreaming of returning for more highs, lows, chaos, cows and breathtaking beauty. I’m not totally through with India though: there will be a few posts to […]
Following on from a lonely couple of days in Jodhpur where I befriended a man selling ribbon for interaction that went beyond; ‘which country, what is your good name and are you married’ I was very much looking forward to my friend Karens arrival; for a two whole weeks! Patois I had started to develop […]
Tearing myself away from mountains, biking and the Nutella banana pancake strip, I travelled to Rajasthan for a week of seeing stuff. From camel riding in the desert city of Jaisalmer to temples in pushy Pushkar, this is what I saw. Stop 1 – Jaisalmer, Sandcastle city I took my first overnight train to Jaisalmer, […]
Travelling throughout north India for the last six weeks I have been entertained, enchanted and down right baffled by some of India’s road signs. In a land where people drive like mentalists, or ‘intuitive’ driving as I have been more kindly known to call it, perhaps they need to stand out. From the hilarious, bizarre, […]
Girl Gone East 