Sri Lanka?????????

[sishow]

I know its doesn't quite fit within the remit of the section title, but I thought would be the best place for it. So if it annoys you because its in the wrong place, then Im sorry! (Well not really at all!!!)

Anyway's, it looks like I could be going to Sri Lanka for a couple of days next month, dont ask why, and was wondering if anyone else has been to Colombo (or met Peter Faulk?) and know whats what and wheres where. If you know what I mean......?

Hotels, bars, websites, or is it really worth visiting at all and should I be thinking of excuses rather than writing this!

Any input welcome! Well except from Mav!

Thank you and good night!


Si

[S1MON]

I am very surprised and pleased to see this thread, i am going to Sri Lanka on a volunteer project for 2 weeks in October, building houses for people that dont have any, not really sure why i am doing it but its all booked and payed for so i guess i have to go.

What is the purpose of your visit??

[sishow]

Originally Posted by S1MON

I am very surprised and pleased to see this thread, i am going to Sri Lanka on a volunteer project for 2 weeks in October, building houses for people that dont have any, not really sure why i am doing it but its all booked and payed for so i guess i have to go.

What is the purpose of your visit??

You sound like a custom's agent there S1MON!!

Well nothing like your purpose unfortunatly! Sounds like an interesting thing to do, maybe some day I would do the same.

I have been asked to drop some packages off there, for my old employers. As my present job finshes in a couple of weeks time. So basically a courier!!!!!!! Although I wont dress like Tom Hanks in Shipwrecked, just in case!!!!!!!!!!!

[S1MON]

Just make sure you get to look inside the packages before you travel, or i will come and visit you in the jail.

Are you going to combine it with a LOS trip?? i got return flights from BKK for 220 pound.

[steve w]

i spent 3 weeks touringSL back in '97.
plenty of temples,not many bars though,mostly only hotel ones.
try visiting sigariya,bit like ayres rock with a fortress on the top.
no p4p scene that i saw,nice beaches on the lower west coast.
lots of buddists so you should feel right at home.

[sishow]

Originally Posted by S1MON

Just make sure you get to look inside the packages before you travel, or i will come and visit you in the jail.

Are you going to combine it with a LOS trip?? i got return flights from BKK for 220 pound.

Don't think im goig to LOS as I really do have to get a proper job now!

[sishow]

Originally Posted by steve w

i spent 3 weeks touringSL back in '97.
plenty of temples,not many bars though,mostly only hotel ones.
try visiting sigariya,bit like ayres rock with a fortress on the top.
no p4p scene that i saw,nice beaches on the lower west coast.
lots of buddists so you should feel right at home.

Dont think im going to Sri-lanka now either............

[MrDK]

Interesting ... Just yesterday I started a little research on Sri Lanka as I am going to India in November and have become convinced that India is not the place to hang out for an extra 5 days. Thought Sri Lanka would be an option as it is so close.

I have not gotten very far in my research yet, however, as far as P4P the reports weren't too good. Mainly complaints about cost. I did read that in comparison to a few years ago the bar and night life has improved a lot in Colombo.

On a different note. My brother used to visit Thailand twice per year and now travel to Sri Lanka more often than LOS. He spends most of he time in less populated areas, so no relation to Colombo, but in his words he find the Sri Lanka hospitality every bit as good as the Thai and overall things are cheaper than LOS.

Will be interesting to follow this thread, hope some BM's have some good insight.

[Capt. Fantastic]

I flew on Sri Lankan Airways about a year ago. Although certainly not a random distaff sample the stewardesses were stunning. Jaw-drop, tongue-on-the-ground beautiful... Words fail me.

It must be something in the water.

[nelsonone]

didn't notice any P4P in Sri Lanka when I was there....but I was in resorts so that is not always noticeable....beautiful country, beautiful people

[inthemode]

Our company is investing in two hotels in Sri Lanka one on the beach in Columbo and another in the north called Giratali.
The north offers so much beauty and wildlife that it's just amazing. Our one hotel is over run with monkeys, they are the mafia there. One guest got a gift fruit basket and the monkey knocks on the window and asks for some fruit the guy closes his drapes and for the next hour the monkey and a freind are throwing stuff at the window and he can't sleep until he "pays up"

Another old time waiter has a group of monkey's who follow him and mimick his every move..hilarious.

The average wage is so cheap there is a huge divide between the rich and poor.

Not much P4P there

[sishow]

A bit of a pointless question now, as I can't go even if I wanted too. My back went again on Tuesday morning, so I have been out of it for the rest of the week. Only just managed to be able to turn the computer on now properly (tried yesterday but had to turn off after a min. Also logged on using my phone, but too slow to really do anything!)

So it doesnt look like im gonna be doing much for the next 2-3 weeks.

But i leave the thread up, as it may prove useful for someone else.

[LivinLOS]

Surprises me as I didnt see much beauty in India at all... I saw more head turners in BKK airport just transiting to HKT than I did in my whole 3 weeks in india..

Sri Lanka is actually not an expensive visa run and I imagine those with balls of steel to invest during the tamil strife could make out like bandits once the dust settles.. If you do end up with a place to run over there you could convince me to visa run for a week with the missus.

[Datsun]

I were 2 weeks in Sri Lanka back in 2003, were there with family, so didn´t get into any p4p, but the cab drivers always asked you in the night time if you wanted them to take you to girls... dunno if it were stripclubs or brothels, since I didn´t try it...

[Mav]

Originally Posted by sishow

Any input welcome! Well except from Mav!

5555555555

Funny about that seeing 2 of the 3 guys l share an office with a Sri lankan and would be a big source of information..........oh well, never mind.

[sishow]

Originally Posted by Mav

5555555555

Funny about that seeing 2 of the 3 guys l share an office with a Sri lankan and would be a big source of information..........oh well, never mind.

DOn't matter now anyway does it! Nahhh..........

Besides I wouldn't go around admiting that two other men are giving you BIG SOURCES! Well actually, now you are out, it doesn't matter!

WHy you change your avitar? I was just looking for a clip to explain the old one!

[Mai Chob]

I can offer up from 2 visits...
Cheaper but not as clean as LOS. Best beaches are south of Col. Hickaduwa to just south of Galle on the west coast and the south east coast around Arugan Bay ( and a great national park near there.) They get good surf and diving is soupposedly good. Never felt in danger from the Sinhalese/ Tamil conflict ever. Locals dont drive you as mad as many in India.Tsunami damage was VERY extensive and slow to repair.
Kandy in the hills for jungle scenery, wild animals still rule!
Nightlife not a patch on LOS, PM me if you want to know more...

[Mav]

Originally Posted by sishow

WHy you change your avitar? I was just looking for a clip to explain the old one!

Just to wind Alfie up of course.

[sishow]

Originally Posted by Mav

Just to wind Alfie up of course.

I found the clip from Bo Selecta of Christina Aquilara doing the ski-poles thing! Well at least it made me laugh when I watched it!