R and R

Friday 15th June, Colombo to Kalutara

 Our last few days in Sri Lanka were to be spent relaxing at the Royal Palms Beach Hotel in Kalutara. Only Shane and Karen would be going with us. Mum, Andrew and Welsh Dave we’re going home. Sharon, Dave Sussex, Chris and Anne were off to Another Hotel north of Colombo. And Pat and Dave Suffolk had a few days in the Maldives to look forward to. We all breakfasted together for the last time then waved the others off before a man with a van with air-con drove us four, with only a few hairy moments, to our R and R base. 

The Hotel is very nice, although it has no bath, no Robes, and no Slippers. Luckily I stole the Amaya Hills slippers. The beach is littered with people trying to sell you saris and day trips so we avoid it, the sea is too rough to swim anyway. The food is great. And VERY plentiful. I had decided to do nothing (so not much to blog about) but was persuaded I needed to rise and be out for 8am one day to do a day tour. Good decision. We saw some lovely baby turtles, and some lovely big ones, at a turtle hatchery. Then had a river trip ending with lunch on a small, peaceful island. I’ve still managed to relax a lot too. And watch a little bit of football! Here’s some photos.

Our new room


Royal Palm Beach


Chipmunks love sprite

Baby turtles born yesterday


And one a bit older

Messing about on the river

Water monitors are big


One for Kay and Billy

As I sit on my balcony by the pool knowing we’ll be leaving for the airport at the crack of dawn (after watching the England game which kicks off 11.30pm Sri Lanka time😢) I contemplate my time in Sri Lanka. Here’s a few thoughts.

It’s a wonderful country. Spectacular scenery, lush green everywhere, and really friendly people. Visit if you can. I can also recommend Mercury holidays. Everything has been wonderful, and they gave us Ravi.

The roads are an experience. Tuk-tuks and motorbikes coming in at all angles, loads of beeping, people wandering about, cows all over. Not for the faint hearted.

There are no safety elf’s in Sri lanka

Everyone has a hard dog, and there are loads of even harder strays. 

Monkeys are everywhere, and they are tough too.

The animals, wow. So many I had never seen before. 

When it rains, it rains, and then two minutes later it’s all cleared and dry. It’s hot and humid all the time, but not too difficult to find shade. I haven’t even got a tan!

People will try to sell you stuff, but in a pleasant non-pushy way. 

Sri Lanka has none biting mozzies

All in all, we’ve loved every minute. Next up, Heathrow Airport.  See you on the other side.

New animals

Four kinds of turtles

Water monitors

Fish eagles

Purple faced monkeys

Blue throated kingfisher






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