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The Grand Adventure

A bike trip with no end Read more

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The longest Thursday ever
February 12 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 13 °C
Navigate a very busy Colombo airport - even at 11 pm. Board flight #1 to Bangkok, then flight #2 to Taipei, #3 to Seattle and #4 to Portland. 30 hours yet it’s still Thursday. At least I have 2 1/2 weeks until I have to do it again in reverse.Read more
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One last TukTuk ride
February 11 in Sri Lanka ⋅ ☁️ 31 °C
Attempt to find waterfalls/swim holes on the way back though end up on some very small and rough roads. Do get to put our toes in and are treated to a fishie foot massage. Finish the ride, return to the apartment and get ready for my very long journey back to Portland. Doug will stay in Sri Lanka while I tend to family.Read more
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Hiking Sri Pada (Adam’s Peak)
February 10 in Sri Lanka ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C
Up at 2:00 to hike the 3.5 miles/1000 meters/5500 steps UP. This mountain is a very popular pilgrimage, supposedly with Buddha’s footprint on top. Goal is to get up before sunrise. Very steep, paved walk comprised mostly of stairs. It tops out over 7000 feet so altitude was a bit of a factor. Many shops and tea houses line the path and it’s lit. People of all ages climb, many in flip flops or bare feet. We make it up with plenty of time before sunrises. Mostly clear sky makes for great views. Down is easier but still a challenge. Stop for a good breakfast before taking a nap. Later going to search of a swimming hole. Not accessible but do drive through pretty tea plantations.Read more
TravelerLove these pictures. Looks like amazing experience even with the steps!
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To Adams Peak we go
February 9 in Sri Lanka ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C
With a few days left before I head home for family matters, decide to squeeze on more adventure in - a hike up Adams Peak. Back to TukTuk rentals we go to pick up our green TukTuk this time. Long drive back into the mountains, stopping briefly to cool off in the river. Arrive in the town of Nallathanniya and find our homestay. Walk into town to find tomorrow’s trailhead. Get an early dinner and in bed by 8:00.Read more
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A day of chores
February 8 in Sri Lanka ⋅ ☁️ 33 °C
Not much to this day besides laundry, organizing and walking to get food for dinner.
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A return to Negombo
February 7 in Sri Lanka ⋅ ☁️ 31 °C
Doug offers to drive the TukTuk back by himself, allowing us more beach time. Have one last snorkel and enjoy the beach before catching a TukTuk to catch a bus to catch an Uber to the apartment. Hannah and Maddie quickly pack up and head to the airport. So ends another successful family vacation!Read more
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Another beach day
February 6 in Sri Lanka ⋅ ☁️ 28 °C
Decide to toot over to another beach to check out the snorkeling. Head to Polhena where there is very little beach but calm water and turtles. Water does get a bit rougher as tide comes in yet still see fun fish and turtles. Nice, relaxing day. Out for a very good dinner - last in Mirissa.Read more
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In search of the best snorkel spot
February 5 in Sri Lanka ⋅ 🌧 28 °C
Organize early to get some snorkeling in during low tide. First spot is way too shallow so move over to where all the people are on Turtle Beach. Do spot a turtle and some nice patches of purple coral. Have a nice brunch before walking to Secret Beach. Spend the rest of the day snorkeling, relaxing amd watching the tide come in. Stop for a drink at Freedom Beach and then walk back along the beach. Nice seafood dinner.Read more
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To the beach we go
February 4 in Sri Lanka ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C
Roll ourselves down our steep hill, and pile in to our TukTuk for a long trip to the coast. Pass by pretty waterfalls as we descend down and around more hairpin turns. Although it’s Independence Day, don’t really see signs of a big national holiday. Stop at a beach for a break and a snack. Rain clouds sneak in, creating an afternoon downpour. It’s short lasting and we finish the drive to Marissa, our beach destination. Go for a walk and come upon a turtle release. Out for a good but pricey dinner (we are in a resort town).Read more
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Ella Rock
February 3 in Sri Lanka ⋅ ☁️ 24 °C
Power up on breakfast and walk up to train tracks. Join the line of others heading to the same place. Quite a bit of up before the end and get nice views from the ridge overlooking the valley. Scramble down a different way in search of waterfalls. Wind up at a less than interesting cave and ancient temple. Walk back, pick up TukTuk and drive through tea fields and factory. Do a little tea tasting, learning a bit about the process as well.Read more
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Ella & a train track walk
February 2 in Sri Lanka ⋅ ☁️ 23 °C
Very short drive out of the mountains towards hills. Roads are quite small and windy but we cover the 40 km pretty quickly. Found our hotel who’s is up an incredibly steep hill making for a beautiful view of the hills and a waterfall. Head off on a walk to the 9 Arches Bridge - an impressive train bridge. Walk along the tracks back to town. Return to our hotel and relax on the lovely deck. Nice dinner in town, finished off with gelato.Read more
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Horton’s Plains National Park
February 1 in Sri Lanka ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C
Get an early start to try and arrive at Workds End before the clouds typically descend. Steep climb up in the TukTuk. Quite chilly at the trailhead as it’s quite exposed. Have our breakfast and set off into the plains. Lots of open space aft first before entering the forest. Arrive at Worlds End, a sheer drop off. Watch clouds and mist swirl about but do get a lot of clear moments. Go pasr Bakers Falls and finish off our hike. Maddie and I opt to hike down Devils Staircase. End up hiking quite a ways to meet up with Doug. Beautiful scenery even encased in clouds. Chill for remainder of the day and enjoy our well deserved dinner.Read more
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UP to Ohiya
January 31 in Sri Lanka ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C
Make our way down our big hill and continue southward journey. Huge climbing day, topping out over 7000 feet. Not quite sure which would be more “fun”;; on a bike or our TukTuk struggling to make it up the hills. Stop in Nuwara Eliya for some lunch and continue on. Roads get smaller as we make final ascent through an evergreen forest to our large bungalow in Ohiya. Some of us go on a walk though the tiny town. Have a good dinner prepared by our hosts.Read more
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Kandy
January 30 in Sri Lanka ⋅ 🌧 26 °C
Depart from our homestay after a different, and tasty breakfast. Another “short” drive (100 km) but the climbing is quite slow in our weighted down TukTuk. Have an additional climb into the hills around Kandy to get to our homestay. After checking in make our way into the bustling city of Kandy. Explore Kandy National Museum and Temple of the Tooth which supposedly houses one of the Buddha Teeth. Vegan dinner in town before catching a tie back up the hill.Read more
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Polonnaruwa
January 29 in Sri Lanka ⋅ ⛅ 30 °C
Eat a fun breakfast of traditional foods based on coconut and rice. Once fully carbed up, pile in unloaded TukTuk and drive through elephant territory towards the ancient city of Polonnaruwa. Explore museum fist and then meander along huge park. Similar yet different than other ancient cities we have seen. On the way back spot 2 elephants! Quick dinner at homestay before embarking on a night safari in search of elusive Lorie. Spot quite a few of the tiny monkeys as well as birds and spiders. Nice being out in the jungle at night.Read more
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Safari time
January 28 in Sri Lanka ⋅ ⛅ 29 °C
Up early to get into Wilpattu Park before sunrise (and other safari trucks). A bit of a queue to get tickets and enter but the crowd quickly disperses within the park. Bump along on rutted dirt road. Spot deer, monkeys, birds, water buffalos, jackals, monitor lizards and crocodiles - including a tiny one. Return to hotel and pile into our TukTuk. Head toward Sirigiya. Find our homestay nicely tucked into jungle. Next up/ hike up Pitcc Rock for views. Hit a very big jam as everyone is trying ginger through tiny passage. Make it for sunset but hazy. Nice dinner in town.Read more
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Journeying inland
January 27 in Sri Lanka ⋅ ☁️ 31 °C
“Attend” a buddhist beach wedding. Two guests of the hotel opted to get married in a local manner. Grab some breakfast before heading back down the peninsula. Though we see elephant crossing signs, none are spotted. Arrive at our jungle resort and have a little walkabout. Find a nice lake to walk by - spotting a few monkeys, birds and peacocks. Eat dinner at our homestay.Read more
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Scuba day
January 26 in Sri Lanka ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C
Three is us (Doug has caught my cold and unable to dive) head out early for our fun dives. Get suited up and take small boats over bumpy water to first dive site. Very choppy water which makes getting in more difficult. Descend into murky water. Maddie and I are buddies and Hannah is with the other group. Do see a lot of eels, rays and nudibranches. Second dive was even murkier and a bit chaotic. More cool stuff spotted. And overall ok dive experience. Have a nice curry lunch before heading back. Take a short walk on the beach and watch sunset.Read more
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Easing into vacation mode
January 25 in Sri Lanka ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C
With no big plans, go with the very chill vibe around here and have a late start. Eventually head down for some breakfast and then prepare for some beach time. Relax, do puzzles and bob in the water. Eventually need to take Hannah to her dive refresher course. Maddie gets to try out driving. Drop her off and find another beach to walk on. We all meet back up at the hotel eventually and have a BBQ dinner. Major church celebration which includes a procession and fireworks.Read more
Traveler That thing is a riot. Thank heaven y’all are small!
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We are now a party of 4
January 24 in Sri Lanka ⋅ ☁️ 26 °C
After 2 days of travel, including a long layover in Hong Kong, Hannah and Maddie join us in Sri Lanka. We all get some more sleep (they arrived very early in the morning) before beginning our adventures. Doug and Maddie leave to get pick up the TukTuk and get driving instructions. Turns out to be harder than anticipated. We all pile into the TukTuk and head north through city traffic. Doug manages well and we all do our best to help. Long journey to our beach destination - Surfpoint Kitesurfing resort . Check in and go off on a beach walk. Dine at our “resort’s” restaurant. Nice curries!Read more
TravelerHooray!!!!
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Wandering around Negombo
January 23 in Sri Lanka ⋅ ⛅ 30 °C
Spend the morning organizing what would be needed for our Sri Lanka vacation. Took an Uber into Negombo and wandered around a bit. Did a bit of shopping before returning to our apartment to make dinner. Impressions thus far: Sri Lankans seem friendly and relaxed. Genuinely interested in being helpful.Read more
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Goodbye Vietnam. Hello Sri Lanka!
January 22 in Sri Lanka ⋅ ⛅ 31 °C
After 2 months, it is time to leave Vietnam. Though there have been some high points, I found it a particularly difficult country. The roads weren’t great, the drivers were atrocious and the language barrier was significant everywhere except the tourist spots. We travelled through a lot of cities which generally were less pleasant. It was also the country where I felt the most out of place and at times not very welcome. Regardless, I am glad we went but not keen to return anytime soon. Managed to navigate 2 separate flights and kept baggage weight within limits. Arrived with our gear and caught a van to our apartment. Settled in and went to bed. Long day of travel.Read more
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Packing day
January 21 in Vietnam ⋅ ⛅ 32 °C
Organize and pack - that was how we spent our day. Did go out for pretty good pizza.
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Exploring Saigon
January 20 in Vietnam ⋅ ⛅ 31 °C
Head out to explore the city as I am feeling a bit better. Start off with terrific French pastries. Take a Grab to avoid the busy and unpleasant streets. Wander around District 1, passing a few notable buildings. In general, it seems like a generic busy city. Wind up spending a few hours in the Zoo and Botanical Gardens. A rather large selection of animas from around the world. Head back to the hotel where we reman for the rest of the evening.Read more
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A sick day
January 19 in Vietnam ⋅ ☁️ 29 °C
Woke up feeling crappy so spent most of the day in bed while Doug procured our packing boxes and materials. Sightseeing will have to wait .
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