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Hungry Like The Wolf
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Hungry Like The Wolf

Singapore + Tracing Duran Duran’s Video Sites + My 13th Layover in Tokyo Read more
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  • SiewchHungry Like The WolfTraveler
    Our recreation of the closing scene from Save A Prayer.
    The original closing scene from Save A Prayer.The headless Buddha status at Lankathilaka.The headless Buddha status at Lankathilaka.The headless Buddha status at Lankathilaka.The headless Buddha status at Lankathilaka.White stupa at Lankathilaka.White stupa at Lankathilaka.White stupa at Lankathilaka.White stupa at Lankathilaka.White stupa at Lankathilaka.Brick stupa at Lankathilaka.Brick stupa at Lankathilaka.Brick stupa at Lankathilaka.Lankathilaka.

    Save A Prayer… For Lankathilaka

    October 5, 2023 in Sri Lanka ⋅ ☁️ 32 °C

    Our next stop, Lankathilaka, features a headless Buddha statue encased in a brick enclosure, along with a white stupa and several brick stupas. Duran Duran filmed the closing scene from Save A Prayer here.

    For this scene from Save A Prayer, Jeff paid great attention to mimicking Simon Le Bon's body movements as he walked from a set of pillars and into the enclosure with the headless Buddha. This was our longest recreation, so we spent a fair amount of time here.    Read more

  • SiewchHungry Like The WolfTraveler
    Our reenactment of Save A Prayer at Gal Vihara.
    Duran Duran's original sequence from Gal Vihara.Gal Vihara.Gal Vihara.Gal Vihara.Gal Vihara.Gal Vihara.Gal Vihara.Gal Vihara.A lake next to Gal Vihara.A large lake across the road from the main Polonnaruwa site.

    Save A Prayer… For Gal Vihara

    October 5, 2023 in Sri Lanka ⋅ ☁️ 32 °C

    Our final stop in Polonnaruwa was Gal Vihara has three Buddha images - one sitting, one standing, and one reclining - carved from the same stone outcrop. Here, we recreated yet another scene from Save A Prayer. We, did, however, have to improvise as there were signs forbidding people to pose with Buddha images in photos, whereas the original video had the band pictured with the Buddha statues here.

    After exiting the compound, we met up with Ravi who drove us back. Upon our return, I looked up the Polonnaruwa map and realized we missed the ruins of the Royal Palace. Ah well, nevermind; we had a fun day out regardless.    Read more

  • SiewchHungry Like The WolfTraveler
    The chillout area at Roy's Villa.
    Jeff enjoying the swing at Roy's Villa.The chillout area at Roy's Villa.The chillout area at Roy's Villa.Jeff handing out on the hammock at the chill area.Rexy, the friendly resident pooch at Roy's Villa.Sunset from Roy's.Sunset from Roy's.Breakfast at Roy's Villa.Breakfast at Roy's Villa.Rice and curry dinner at Roy's Villa.The vegetable fields surrounding Roy's Villa.The vegetable fields surrounding Roy's Villa.Our private room at Roy's Villa.Jeff on the hammock outside our private room.The garden outside our private room at Roy's Villa.The garden outside our private room at Roy's Villa.Jeff getting into the Roy's Villa tuk tuk.Jeff getting out of the Roy's Villa tuk tuk.Jeff getting into our Uber taking us to Kandy.

    Roy's Villa

    October 5, 2023 in Sri Lanka ⋅ ☁️ 27 °C

    I can't say enough good things about Roy's Villa. We had an enjoyable time here. Roy himself was a great host, and with the help of his brothers and various other childhood friends who run the facility with him, they made it easy for us to sightsee and engage in other fun activities. As the hostel was in a remote area, they had a captive audience for meals, but the meals were prepared with love. We had good food, good company, and the atmosphere was great too. The only drawback was they did not accept credit cards. Fortunately, we were able to pay them in USD.Read more

  • SiewchHungry Like The WolfTraveler
    A tuk tuk in Kandy.
    Our accommodation, the Viyana Boutique Hotel.Scenes from around Kandy Lake.Scenes from around Kandy Lake.Scenes from around Kandy Lake.Scenes from around Kandy Lake.Scenes from around Kandy Lake.Scenes from around Kandy Lake.Scenes from around Kandy Lake.Scenes from around Kandy Lake.Scenes from around Kandy Lake.Scenes from around Kandy Lake.Scenes from around Kandy Lake.Scenes from around Kandy Lake.Scenes from around Kandy Lake.Scenes from around Kandy Lake.Scenes from around Kandy Lake.Scenes from around Kandy Lake.Scenes from around Kandy Lake.Scenes from around Kandy Lake.Kottu at the Empire Cafe.My rice and curry dinner at the Empire Cafe.The Empire Cafe, where we ate several meals.Our view from the verandah of the Empire Cafe.Scenes from around Kandy Lake.I will forever associate this ice cream truck ditty with Sri Lanka.We chanced upon a fair during our wanderings in Kandy.

    Kandy

    October 6, 2023 in Sri Lanka ⋅ 🌧 25 °C

    After taking our leave from Roy's Villa, once again lucked out when we snagged a Uber ride to get us to Kandy. I groaned when the driver asked me to cancel the ride and pay him in cash, but I did so because I wasn't sure if we would find another ride. Our driver was from Colombo and he was heading home. The ride to Kandy took about two hours.

    After checking in at the Viyana Boutique Hotel by Kandy Lake, we sought out the Lonely Planet recommended Empire Cafe for lunch. There, we enjoyed lunch on the verandah, which was next to the entrance to the Temple of the Sacred Tooth.

    After lunch, we circumnavigated Kandy Lake. We especially enjoyed observing the ducks and the monitor lizards at the lake.

    In the evening, we walked a short distance to the Slightly Chilled Restaurant and Bar for food and drinks with Becky and Chris, whom we met at Roy's Villa, and their friends - a brother and sister duo named Charlie and Tracy - who were also traveling through Sri Lanka. We had an enjoyable time chatting and eating at the rooftop bar. There. we were treated to a fireworks display in the distance.    Read more

  • SiewchHungry Like The WolfTraveler
    Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic.
    Vendors selling offerings.Vendors selling offerings, as seen from our breakfast spot at the Empire Cafe.Entrance to the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic.Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic.A statue dedicated to a heroic 9 year old, Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic.A statue dedicated to a heroic 9 year old, Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic.Devotees lighting lamps at the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic.Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic.Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic.Inside the one hall at the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic where photography was allowed..Inside the one hall at the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic where photography was allowed..Inside the one hall at the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic where photography was allowed..Inside the one hall at the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic where photography was allowed..Inside the one hall at the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic where photography was allowed..Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic.My breakfast at the Empire Cafe before we visited the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic.Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic.

    Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic

    October 7, 2023 in Sri Lanka ⋅ ☁️ 27 °C

    The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic is the most holy site for Sri Lanka Buddhists. In it is housed a canine tooth reportedly taken from Buddha's funeral pyre. We visited this site and enjoyed watching the devotees. There were also a couple of museums on site; one covers world Buddhism, and the other one tells the story of the tooth. Apparently, it moved locations many times. It is believed that whoever had possession of the tooth also had the divine right to rule Sri Lanka. The British even had possession of the tooth at one point in time.

    I first learned about this temple over three decades ago at a Cultural Geography case study which examined how the British deliberately built colonial buildings around the temple, and slightly taller ones at that, to signify who ruled Ceylon. It was nice to see this case study come to life, and to see the actual structures in real life.

    https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/temple-of-t…    Read more

  • SiewchHungry Like The WolfTraveler
    The dining room at Helga's Folly.
    Helga's Folly.Helga's Folly.Helga's Folly.Helga's Folly.Helga's Folly.Helga's Folly.Helga's Folly.Helga's Folly.Helga's Folly.Helga's Folly.Helga's Folly.Helga's Folly.Helga's Folly.Helga's Folly.Helga's Folly.Helga's Folly.Helga's Folly.Helga's Folly.Helga's Folly.Helga's Folly.Helga's Folly.Helga's Folly.Helga's Folly.Helga's Folly.Helga's Folly.Helga's Folly.Helga's Folly.Helga's Folly.Helga's Folly.

    Helga’s Folly

    October 7, 2023 in Sri Lanka ⋅ 🌧 26 °C

    I learned about Helga's Folly Anti-Hotel Residence from Atlas Obscura. This anti-hotel is a labor of love by the eccentric Helga de Silva Blow Perera. The building is decked out in whimsical art, some of which Helga herself painted. Her favorite themes appear to be Alice in Wonderland, skeletons, frogs, and insects.

    One can stay in this hotel for $100 per night or dine there for $20, but I imagine the sensory overload would not make for a relaxing experience. While we were there, we did not observe any evidence of guests in residence.

    https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/helga-s-folly    Read more

  • SiewchHungry Like The WolfTraveler
    Firewalking demonstration.
    Kandyan Dance.Kandyan Dance.Kandyan Dance.Kandyan Dance.Kandyan Dance.Kandyan Dance.Kandyan Dance.Kandyan Dance.Kandyan Dance.Kandyan Dance.Kandyan Dance.Kandyan Dance.Kandyan Dance.Kandyan Dance.Kandyan Dance.Kandyan Dance.Kandyan Dance.Kandyan Dance.Kandyan Dance.Kandyan Dance.Kandyan Dance.Kandyan Dance.Kandyan Dance.Kandyan Dance.Kandyan Dance.Kandyan Dance.Kandyan Dance.Kandyan Dance.Kandyan Dance.

    Kandyan Dance

    October 7, 2023 in Sri Lanka ⋅ 🌧 25 °C

    After leaving Helga's Folly, we once again walked around the lake. When we arrived back in town, we booked tickets to the evening's dance performance. The ticket seller even walked us into the performance hall so that we could reserve seats by writing our names on a placard and placing them on our chosen seats.

    In the late afternoon, we headed out in the rain to the venue of the dance performance. The performance featured percussion - and no other musical instruments - throughout the various dances. The dances by the men featured a lot of acrobatics. The womens' dances, while graceful, weren't particularly enthralling.

    After the dances, the audience moved aside while the chairs were rearranged around the sides of the hall. We were then treated to a firewalking demonstration in the middle.    Read more

  • SiewchHungry Like The WolfTraveler
    Sri Lankan's A330 Business Class seat.
    The entrance to the Serendib Lounge.Inside the Serendib Lounge.My breakfast at the Serendib Lounge.View of the tarmac from the Serendib Lounge.View of the tarmac from the Serendib Lounge.4R-ALS at the gate at CMB.4R-ALS at the gate at CMB.My seat 2D on Sri Lankan's A330.Menu for UL308.Menu for UL308. They are serious about their tea.Post takeoff drink.My meal on UL308.Tea on UL308.My boarding pass for UL308.UL308's route as captured on FlightRadar24.Immigration exit stamp.

    Colombo to Singapore

    October 8, 2023 in Sri Lanka ⋅ ☁️ 31 °C

    Sri Lankan Airlines UL308 | CMB/SIN
    Business Class
    Airbus A330-300 | 4R-ALP City of Hasthi Shilapura
    ATD/1405 | ATA/2035
    Lounge: Serendib Lounge

    Two days before our flight, at the invitation of Sri Lankan Airlines, I put in the minimum possible bid for a paid upgrade to Business Class. To my surprise, my bid was accepted.

    We left Kandy at 7.00am on yet another Uber. This time around, the driver did not ask us to pay him in cash. The two hour journey started off on a winding journey along surface streets before joining the expressway. There was a small degree of anxiety when the car stalled at the expressway exit about 30km from Bandaranaike International Airport in an area that isn’t known for easy availability of Uber pickups. Fortunately, we secured a ride without too much trouble, and we got to the airport in good time.

    Check-in at the airport was not impressive, with just one counter to service Business Class passengers and OneWorld elites for all Sri Lankan Airlines flights. We waited in line over 20 mins before we were checked in. As with the outbound flight, there was no mention of a flight delay until we got to the Serendib Lounge and checked the monitors there. Our delay was just under two hours due to late arrival of inbound aircraft. It seems as if Sri Lankan has difficulty maintaining on time operations with its small fleet.

    The flight itself was fine. Catering was good, and service was friendly. I had a good but short sleep. Upon landing at Changi, we checked in for our onward flight at Transfer Counter C and then we made our way to the Qantas First Lounge.    Read more

  • SiewchHungry Like The WolfTraveler
    Jeff at the dining area of the Qantas First Class Lounge.
    Jeff's mushroom wanton soup.My crayfish laksa at the Qantas First Class Lounge.There's something so bourgeois about taking a shower in a lounge LOL.Jeff at the Marhaba T1 Lounge.My meal on JL38.My entry stamp into Japan.JL38's flightpath as recorded on FlightRadar24.

    Singapore to Tokyo Haneda

    October 9, 2023 in Singapore ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C

    Japan Airlines JL38 | SIN/HND
    Economy Class
    Boeing 767-300ER | JA616J
    ATD/0147 | ATA/0947
    Lounge : Qantas First Class Lounge & Marhaba Lounge T1

    Due to the delay of our inbound flight, we decided not clear immigration and go for a wander around Changi Airport Jewel because I wanted to visit the Qantas First Class Lounge for a bowl of their signature crayfish laksa before they closed 10.45pm. We had a lovely 90 minutes in the lounge, which is by far my favorite lounge in Changi Airport. Jeff was taken by surprise by the personalized service because he hadn’t been in a lounge with waitstaff in the dining area and attendants who come to you for your drink orders. I really do think this is the best lounge in the OneWorld network; one of the staff members proactively brought me peppermint tea with honey and lemon when he heard me coughing!

    After the Qantas Lounge closed, we headed to the Marhaba Lounge next door to wait our flight. The Marhaba Lounge is a nice enough lounge, but it was a bit of a step down from the Qantas First Class Lounge.    Read more

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  • SiewchHungry Like The WolfTraveler
    The scene that greeted us at Haneda Airport.
    The monorail at Haneda Airport.Rainy scenes on the Tokyo Monorail.My lunch at Tokyo Ramen Street.Figurines on display at our ramen restaurant.The crowds at Tokyo Station sheltering from the rain.Rainy street scenes round Tokyo Station.Rainy street scenes round Tokyo Station.Rainy street scenes round Tokyo Station.Scenes from the train station near Tokyo Station.Robot billboard at Haneda Sky Garden.Terrarium at Haneda Sky Garden.Underwear store at Haneda Sky Garden.Underwear store at Haneda Sky Garden.Haneda Sky Garden.Haneda Sky Garden.Haneda Sky Garden.The scene that greeted us back at the lounge.Jeff having a Big in Japan moment.Jeff having a Big in Japan moment.

    Layover in Tokyo

    October 9, 2023 in Japan ⋅ 🌧 15 °C

    I had planned to explore Yokohama during our layover, but those plans were shelved when we landed at a cold and rainy Haneda Airport. I didn’t have a Plan B, so on the fly I decided to go to Ramen Street in the basement of Tokyo Station as the entire journey would be under shelter.

    Tokyo Station was far more crowded than I expected, and it seemed as if the entire city went underground to avoid the rain. We later learned it was a long weekend, which explained the crowds and all the children around on a Monday.

    We had a tasty lunch at Ramen Street, which is a collection of eight award winning ramen stalls. After lunch, we wandered the malls around Tokyo Station before we decided to give up on sightseeing and return to Haneda. When we got to Haneda, we explored the recently opened Haneda Sky Garden Mall adjacent to Terminal 3 before we resigned ourselves to a long wait in the lounge.

    In hindsight, I should have had a Plan B for rainy weather. In future, I will spend my layovers at the Mori Art Museum in Roppongi if it is rainy.    Read more

  • SiewchHungry Like The WolfTraveler
    JL74's takeoff from Haneda in the rain.
    My sushi dinner at the Sakura Lounge.My ramen dinner at the Sakura Lounge.My tiramisu dessert at the Sakura Lounge.Vegetarian special meal on JL74.My boarding pass for JL74.The flight path of JL74 as recorded on FlightRadar24.

    Tokyo Haneda to Honolulu

    October 9, 2023 in Japan ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C

    Japan Airlines JL74 | HND/HNL
    Premium Economy Class
    Boeing 787-9 | JA876J
    ATD/2128 | ATA/0935
    Lounge: Sakura First Class Lounge

    We had a long wait in the lounge after we gave up on sightseeing due to the weather. We snacked a fair bit before boarding JL74 for the last leg of our journey home. The rain did not let up at all while we were in the lounge.Read more

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  • Trip end
    October 9, 2023
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