World Cruise Cunard QM2 Wednesday 5th February Sri Lanka- 28 degrees, humid and overcast
Wednesday 5th February
Sri Lanka- 28 degrees, humid and overcast, although the sun is trying to burn it off
Up early and walked, but it became increasingly difficult. The crew kept cordoning off various sections whilst they put up warning notices to keep boats 50m away from the ship. A security measure to stop uninvited guests aboard.
Walked from the ship to the gate, climbing up the steps to exit and into the hordes of tut tut vehicles. Three wheeler sedan chairs, based around a motorcycle engine. Walked past the beggars with the usual Indian smells, spices, fresh fruit, dried fish, burning plastic and open sewers. But surprisingly not body odour.
As it was early, the streets were not overly crowded as we investigated the Dutch quarter, visiting a rather run down colonial tea room. Trying the coffee and a India vegetable roll. The coffee was glorious although sweet, and the fried vegetable roll was heavily spiced and delicious.
Then across the road Judith found a wonderful spa shop, so colourful with everything a person could ever need, but it was the packaging that made it even more special. Although it bankrupted us.
So off we marched to obtain SLRupee notes from the ATM before walking towards PETA and the railway station at the Fort. It was loud and thronging with people. It was a transport hub. People poured of colourful busses, jumped out of tut-tuts. All converging towards the railway station. We moved as one, a mass of bodies streaming across the walkway to the station. All manner of beggars lined the route, hands outstretched. Police in their immaculate uniforms congregated around a mass of protesting students, as they sat crossed legged outside the station. The throng of commuters ignored the peaceful demonstration, intent on either going to or leaving the transport hub. The conflagration of noise from the mass of humanity, mixed with the coughing buses, hooting horns and police whistles was mesmerising.
Although an orderly peace availed at the ticket counters where we received information on the trains and purchased our ticket. It was a cocoon of tranquillity that lasted only a mega second, before entering another world. Just as seen on the television, the locals board the train in any conceivable manner, clinging to windows, doors, in fact anything to give them a finger hold whilst balancing on the running board. Above their heads a sign reads “Travelling on foot board is a punishable offence” we push l way aboard, flattening ourselves against the doorway.
Hawkers squeeze through the full carriages selling chilled drinks, fresh fruit, chocolate, newspapers, water. In fact anything you may need for a rail journey. All perched on their heads. The train bumped and swayed into motion. A big old Diesel engine pulling twelve carriages absolutely crammed full of people.
We passed through the centre if Colombo, over the rivers, that are more akin to open sewers. Past derelict properties with greenery growing out of the roof and litter accumulating around the base. In fact reminiscent to leaving London on the commuter Dover line back in the 80s. In fact it might still be the same.
Within minutes the track runs parallel to the sea, with its colourful fishing boats bobbing about in the surf. Groups of professional snorkelers, with their hand made breather pipes and harpoons, float head down, seeking their pray. What an existence. We pass through small villages, shanty towns, hemmed in between the track and the sea.
Eventually we reach our destination.
Mount Lavivia, a holiday resort with its large colonial hotel sitting its own manicured gardens. We made our way through the heavy security on the gates and headed towards the reception area. This involved more security, bags x-rayed, the both of us searched. But more importantly, and a wise precaution. We had our temperature taken. Obviously a precaution against the CoronaVirus outbreak. We keep hearing how cruise ships are being stranded, the guests quarantined in their cabins for two weeks. You could understand why they are taking these measures. Cunard has cancelled the visit to Hong Kong, and we are instead doubling up in Singapore. So all the guests who were booked to disembark or board in HK has been rerouted to Singapore.
But we have heard that a Singapore has now found cases of the disease. So not sure what will happen now.
Anyway back to SriLanka. Went to the bar, but it was unmanned, so we retraced our steps and headed into the village. Spent some time walking around, taking in the atmosphere before returning to the railway station, and ultimately our journey back.
For some reason, we envisaged the train to be quieter, but in truth it was even fuller. Still a great experience.
Once back we headed through the busy shopping areas looking for a restaurant we had earmarked. Eventually found it, and it was great. A restaurant frequented by just locals. Washing facilities, and eating by hand. We ordered a Southern Indian thali plate and a northern thali plate. Each plate came with ten different curries and accompaniments plus rice, flat breads, popadoms and rice. Drinks were fresh fruit juice and juice lasts, a flavoured yogurt drink. The curries were quite hot, soon we soon had to cool down with a few Pepsi colas.All this for under £10. Unbelievable.
And so delicious.
Mooched through the city, buying the odd souvenir, experiencing the atmosphere and just exhausting ourselves. Managed to get to the ship ?? in the evening, having walked 13 miles. Still full from the lunch, we settled for a couple of glasses of wine with tacos, peanuts and olives. Brilliant but tiring day.
Sri Lanka- 28 degrees, humid and overcast, although the sun is trying to burn it off
Up early and walked, but it became increasingly difficult. The crew kept cordoning off various sections whilst they put up warning notices to keep boats 50m away from the ship. A security measure to stop uninvited guests aboard.
Walked from the ship to the gate, climbing up the steps to exit and into the hordes of tut tut vehicles. Three wheeler sedan chairs, based around a motorcycle engine. Walked past the beggars with the usual Indian smells, spices, fresh fruit, dried fish, burning plastic and open sewers. But surprisingly not body odour.
As it was early, the streets were not overly crowded as we investigated the Dutch quarter, visiting a rather run down colonial tea room. Trying the coffee and a India vegetable roll. The coffee was glorious although sweet, and the fried vegetable roll was heavily spiced and delicious.
Then across the road Judith found a wonderful spa shop, so colourful with everything a person could ever need, but it was the packaging that made it even more special. Although it bankrupted us.
So off we marched to obtain SLRupee notes from the ATM before walking towards PETA and the railway station at the Fort. It was loud and thronging with people. It was a transport hub. People poured of colourful busses, jumped out of tut-tuts. All converging towards the railway station. We moved as one, a mass of bodies streaming across the walkway to the station. All manner of beggars lined the route, hands outstretched. Police in their immaculate uniforms congregated around a mass of protesting students, as they sat crossed legged outside the station. The throng of commuters ignored the peaceful demonstration, intent on either going to or leaving the transport hub. The conflagration of noise from the mass of humanity, mixed with the coughing buses, hooting horns and police whistles was mesmerising.
Although an orderly peace availed at the ticket counters where we received information on the trains and purchased our ticket. It was a cocoon of tranquillity that lasted only a mega second, before entering another world. Just as seen on the television, the locals board the train in any conceivable manner, clinging to windows, doors, in fact anything to give them a finger hold whilst balancing on the running board. Above their heads a sign reads “Travelling on foot board is a punishable offence” we push l way aboard, flattening ourselves against the doorway.
We passed through the centre if Colombo, over the rivers, that are more akin to open sewers. Past derelict properties with greenery growing out of the roof and litter accumulating around the base. In fact reminiscent to leaving London on the commuter Dover line back in the 80s. In fact it might still be the same.
Within minutes the track runs parallel to the sea, with its colourful fishing boats bobbing about in the surf. Groups of professional snorkelers, with their hand made breather pipes and harpoons, float head down, seeking their pray. What an existence. We pass through small villages, shanty towns, hemmed in between the track and the sea.
Eventually we reach our destination.
Mount Lavivia, a holiday resort with its large colonial hotel sitting its own manicured gardens. We made our way through the heavy security on the gates and headed towards the reception area. This involved more security, bags x-rayed, the both of us searched. But more importantly, and a wise precaution. We had our temperature taken. Obviously a precaution against the CoronaVirus outbreak. We keep hearing how cruise ships are being stranded, the guests quarantined in their cabins for two weeks. You could understand why they are taking these measures. Cunard has cancelled the visit to Hong Kong, and we are instead doubling up in Singapore. So all the guests who were booked to disembark or board in HK has been rerouted to Singapore.
But we have heard that a Singapore has now found cases of the disease. So not sure what will happen now.
Anyway back to SriLanka. Went to the bar, but it was unmanned, so we retraced our steps and headed into the village. Spent some time walking around, taking in the atmosphere before returning to the railway station, and ultimately our journey back.
For some reason, we envisaged the train to be quieter, but in truth it was even fuller. Still a great experience.
Once back we headed through the busy shopping areas looking for a restaurant we had earmarked. Eventually found it, and it was great. A restaurant frequented by just locals. Washing facilities, and eating by hand. We ordered a Southern Indian thali plate and a northern thali plate. Each plate came with ten different curries and accompaniments plus rice, flat breads, popadoms and rice. Drinks were fresh fruit juice and juice lasts, a flavoured yogurt drink. The curries were quite hot, soon we soon had to cool down with a few Pepsi colas.All this for under £10. Unbelievable.
And so delicious.
Mooched through the city, buying the odd souvenir, experiencing the atmosphere and just exhausting ourselves. Managed to get to the ship ?? in the evening, having walked 13 miles. Still full from the lunch, we settled for a couple of glasses of wine with tacos, peanuts and olives. Brilliant but tiring day.
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