Pandol in Galle

Pandol in Galle, lights all change in sequence totaling about 20mins, all run from a rotating drum like a music box mechanism. Full moon over stupor, white building, lastly look at my bike, this was one of many and shows what you can do with a mango on top of a broomstick.

Vesak in Galle

Vesak, the birth, death and enlightenment of Buddha all celebrated on the same day, 1st full moon in May. Lots of paper lanterns are made, they range in size, some are huge and very complex, all look great when all lit up. We came upon the lorry in Galle Fort and watched the children being prepared to take part in activities, they are a choir.

Galle Fort

Galle fort, the lighthouse and what must be the biggest budhist flag. The fort is still lived in and has narrow streets with both shops and private houses. spectacular views and a great place at sunset, all the locals go there.
Just back from beach, great time, got there Fri. lunch, dumped stuff went for a swim in beautiful bay (check blog), sat on the beach for lunch, then disaster…I turned red and blotchy, allergic reaction? Photosensitive, effect of malaria pills? Stung by jellyfish? Anyway lasted four hours so no more swimming Friday, just being stared at and asked how I feel.

Took a walk along beach and up to temple, watched sunset and full moon rise either side of the same peninsula then dinner on beach. Saturday, Vesak day, birth, death and enlightenment of Buddha, also full moon.

I went for swim before breakfast and walk along beach, no red blotches, had long slow b’fast. Then swims all day, Jacky, Ange, B and I all at surf city in Unawatuna, other vso’s at beach too, met up to chat. Spent relaxed day, stopped taking malaria pills and avoided same foods, no repeat of rash.

Four of us went into Galle and walked around the fort then ate on the 5th floor of a shop overlooking the fort and all the Vesak celebrations, lots of lights and the pandol, a big tribute, lots of bright flashing lights depicting the life of Buddha. Once dark the whole centre had lanterns lit, big, small, simple and complex (see blog). Like Blackpool, the whole town was out. Got back to beach half way through second half of cup final, saw extra time, group of us in a bar, they managed to get Arrak, a local spirit. Aussie guy said I had been stung by a jellyfish but decided to stop taking pills anyway.
On way to and from Galle saw tsunami damage, the train was near Galle also the bus station at Galle was another of the big images from the tsunami. Very sobering to see at first hand and easier to imagine what it was like.

Unawatuna Beach

Unawatuna beach, just outside Galle to the south, these are the views to the right and left from Surf City guest house, midday so too hot to go out of the shade unless heading into the water.
Just back from beach, great time, got there Fri. lunch, dumped stuff went for swim in beautiful bay, sat on beach for lunch, then disaster…I turned red and blotchy, allergic reaction? Photosensitive, effect of malaria pills? Stung by jellyfish? Anyway lasted four hours so no more swimming Friday, just being stared at and asked how I feel. Took a walk along beach and up to temple, watched the sunset and full moon rise either side of the same peninsula then dinner on beach. Saturday, Vesak day, birth, death and enlightenment of Buddha, also full moon. Went for swim before breakfast and walk along beach, no red blotches, had long slow b’fast. Then swims all day, Jacky, Ange, B and I all at surf city in Unawatuna, other vso’s at beach too, met up to chat. Spent relaxed day, stopped taking malaria pills and avoided same foods, no repeat of rash. Four of us went into Galle and walked around the fort then ate on the 5th floor of a shop overlooking the fort and all the Vesak celebrations, lots of lights and the pandol, a big tribute, lots of bright flashing lights depicting the life of Buddha. Once dark the whole centre had lanterns lit, big, small, simple and complex. Like Blackpool, the whole town was out. Got back to beach half way through second half of cup final, saw extra time, group of us in a bar, they managed to get Arrak, a local spirit. Aussie guy said I had been stung by a jellyfish but decided to stop taking pills anyway.
On way to and from Galle saw tsunami damage, the train wreck was near Galle also the bus station at Galle was another of the big images from the tsunami. Very sobering to see at first hand and easier to imagine what it was like.

Kandy course

The botanical gardens at Kandy, me cooking Sri Lankan and the class of April 06 at Montfort Lodge

For volunteers, the in country training covers, language, culture, tradition, religion and cooking. You do need to know how to use local ingredients as you can't always get any western style foods, nothing too technical just local curry recipes and basic bread, roti.

Surprise birthday party

Milton playing quoits, my 21st birthday party oil lamps and tossing coins on the steps at Montford Lodge.

Another full couple of days, last formal day of training on 24th, thought we were all going to Ashley’s for a few beers. Turns out I had a surprise birthday party, the ladies had gone to lots of trouble, handmade flower garland, oil lamps, banner with beer and nibbles. Was well stunned, kept me quiet for ages. Had a great time played silly games and did tricks for a few hours. Last day today had end of course Olympics, mix of Sri Lankan games and ones we came up with see blog for photos, the locals cheated really badly and ignored any rules, cultural experience. We did hopscotch, quoits, 10 pin bowling, apple bobbing etc. and threw a few water bombs for good measure. The prizes were spoons and other kitchen stuff, the woven wall hanging spoon holder will easily be posted for Xmas so watch out those on Xmas list.

Montford Lodge, Kandy

The road to Montford Lodge, our training centre, a very steep climb and busy in both directions
in rush hour.

After two weeks in Colombo we have moved to Kandy, home of the Temple of the Tooth, whoever has the tooth relic rules Sri Lanka. Kandy is about 500m above sea level and an historic capital. It’s a beautiful place with a mountain setting, the rides from the hotel low down by the lake to the training centre at the top of a hill are hairy. The roads are very steep, narrow, and tend to wash away in the rain, they are also very busy and have regular full size busses using them. It all makes for interesting journeys.
There are a few more tourists evident here, a few tours and 5* hotels, quite good for us as we get to use the hotel pools for RS150 a day incl towel and sun lounger, very civilized.

Cultural Triangle random photos

wall paintings at Sigirya, crowds on elephant safari
and temple of the tooth at Kandy

In the evening after Polonnaruwa we went by jeep on safari to see elephants in the wild, we managed to see about 30 over an hour or so. What happens though is when you are parked quietly watching them other jeeps see you have found elephants and head for you. That’s ok unless the jeep has large families in it with lots of kids, the elephants don’t like noise and sometimes charge the jeeps. So as soon as the full jeeps head your way you have to keep alert, you easily get surrounded by elephants despite their size they seem to hide in the grass quite well.

Cultural trip

Kumudhini my Tamil teacher, the patience of a saint! and above just to wind up you vols in less fortunate locations the view from my sunlounger of the pool I had to myself after climbing Sigiriya. Very nice it was too.

Sigiriya Palace

Sigiriya the rock, the light strip along it is the mirror wall, you walk behind it on your way up. the middle photo is the lions feet, the bottom of the final climb to the top, lastly the view from the top with Kandy in the far distance. You can also see the bathing pool on the top, totally spectacular.
Both Polonnaruwa and Sigiriya are world heritage sites, Sigiriya being for me the most amazing. There is a huge lump of rock in the middle of a plain on top of which a palace was built. There are only ruins left but they are spectacular and apart from the top cover many acres with water gardens walls and moats. The climb to the top is quite hairy, especially a spiral- staircase climb to see fresco's, must be a hundred feet up the side of rock face. You have to get there early as once the sun and temperature rise climbing gets too difficult. We set off at 6.30am, I was the first person up to the fresco's but overtaken by a Sri Lankan family to the top of the rock. Still had the place more or less to myself for a while. When it was occupied it must have been truly spectacular and the views from the top across the plains are magnificent.

Polonnaruwa Palace

These are photos from Polonnaruwa, they don't really do it justice.
Polonnaruwa is another palace complex with lots of temples and statues again covering acres of ground. We set off a bit late for this one and taking your shoes and hats off to go into the temples became a problem as the ground got very hot, I thought I had burned my feet at one point.

Jeep Safari Polonnaruwa

The jeep safari, I had to crop this as I had a lot of bonnet in photo.
The nearest we got to an elephant, there were lots honest. Lastly the Polonnaruwa guest house, and yes it is as good as it looks, I will try and put a shot from the hotel across the lake on. Will take any visitors there for a weekend it's grand.

My home in Trincomalee

My house in Trinco (next to a military base!!)

Trinco view

This is the bay across the road from my VSO house. It is the southern bay of 3 and quite shallow.

I didn't get chance to take a lot of photos on my visit, just time to check house out.

I will post more photos when I move up to Trinco.

Great sailing area but no sign of a sail yet!

Trinco Loo

The Throne, important detail.

Princess Suzanne please note!!!

Trinco house

Above left pic of bedroom 1 as yet house not furnished, top right is kitchen and direct left is view across living room. The door at far end of living room goes into kitchen, door on right of living room goes into bedroom 2. Bedroom 1 is to right of where I took photo. there is another bedroom/dining room off the kitchen too.

I didn't get to live in this house as trouble started with the LTTE and it was considered too dangerous, you should be prepared to be flexible as any situation can change. So it is perhaps best not to get too enthusiastic about your planned placement.

Lake Lodge Hotel, Colombo

This is Lake Lodge in Colombo where I am learning Tamil. I have a pleasant and coolish room. It's 30-40 degrees C at the moment so nowhere really cool unless you have air con, I don't.

The thing about Colombo is there is no centre, the city sprawls along the Galle road running North to South and inland to the East.

The Galle Face hotel, one famous old colonial style hotel and the place to go and watch the sunset and be seen in, isn’t far from our hotel but well above VSO budget.

The main mode of transport is the trishaw or tut-tut as in most of Asia and in the heat is the best way to get around, as ever the negotiations for cost of trip are interesting, works out about 50 rupee a kilometre, about 25p(£1=RS180) but it doesn’t matter how many are in, so with 4 of us crammed in it’s a bargain!

We get breakfast at the hotel, banana, eggs as you like them, toast and jam and tea or coffee. Most people drink tea with masses of sugar and I mean masses, small cups and 4+ spoons of sugar and still have good teeth.

For lunch while training we get a local take away, it comes to the hotel and they sort it for us, costs 60 rupee each, it’s 3 packs of rice and 5 or 6 curries. You put the rice in the middle of your plate and surround it with a few curries, then eat with your fingers of one hand. You have to mix the food into a paste then make a ball and eat it, not that easy! I have been eating curry for at least 2 meals a day sometimes 3.

For dinner we sample the restaurants within walking distance, some expensive they cost RS 200-300 a head but we have found one at RS 100 a head including drinks. You don’t get alcohol so tend to drink ginger beer or water here.

Arrived in Sri Lanka

I flew into Colombo, capital of Sri Lanka this afternoon. this is the last job after emailing family and friends. I am staying fairly central next to a really picturesque lake.

We have got a full month of VSO training in language and cultural background, looking forward to it.

There are only four of us volunteers so very personal training, for me learning Tamil I am on my own with two teachers, so no excuse for not learning it!

Four is a small number and probably not ideal although it worked for us. A group of eight to twelve is I believe more usual. The initial experience can be intense so it is nice to have a choice of company and a variation between day and night. In a small group you tend to go out together rather than pair up or split up. As a volunteer you have no control over this really, but you can always ask how many will be in your intake.

Final Packing

I have got the tickets and flight times and in final stages of packing.

I have discovered vacuum packing for clothes I am leaving behind, I managed to reduce a 240mm pile of suits and shirts to a 50mm piece of board. It looks like a crisp packet after being in a microwave, I suspect everything will need professionally pressing before I can use it again, looking well creased already.

I have got additional weight allowance on the flight, bit of luck as 25kg was proving tight for a 2 year stay.

With hindsight I was given some poor advice on what to take. It can depend on what the volunteer you ask has done or does in country. Your clothes will probably go mouldy if you are in a humid country, also you will probably need to wash your clothes every day and they will be dirty. So you need easily laundered clothes. You can buy clothes in country but be aware that you may not get the size you need. In some countries the majority of the population will be shorter and thinner than western men and women. Also shoe sizes may be smaller. You can have clothes tailored but this may not be as cheap as you expect.

The information is available on the VSO web site but is a general guide.

I took a pair of black work shoes which I never wore, most people wore sandals, cool for hot weather and dry quick in monsoon rain. Leather will go mouldy and rot too.

Bear in mind as a VSO you may not have access to a washing machine so can end up hand washing clothes and bedding, no spin facilities either. So washing, drying and ironing can take a chunk out of your day. I was fortunate and happened to have friends in country with washing machines, don't underestimate how tedious hand washing and drying in a monsoon season can be.

Last few games of Tennis

I played social tennis in the sunshine this afternoon, I will miss that, just have to hope there are courts in Sri Lanka. On the home straight now, getting everything sorted, cleared plenty of room to store my stuff while I am away.

I have flooded the charity shops with the unwanted but useful and recycled the rest. Sent letters to family and friends telling them what is going on, see how many find this blog site. Place your bets now.

For Volunteers, one of the things that you may find hard to do is get regular exercise, in the heat or humidity even walking around can be hard work. I did do some cycling and played a few games of badminton on an evening. Similar problems if you end up somewhere cold, so give some thought to how important sport or exercise is. I did a fair bit of swimming but that isn't always an option. So it is important to know your expectations and do the homework.