Russian around the Baltic with some spice to finish off!

[TheRealTMA]

No? Maybe I didn't think of looking for it properly. This was an award fare booked through Qantas so maybe not available. Our next is a paid fare booked through UL so might mosey on into that booking then.

No, a fare is a fare irrespective of booking method. Seems you should have used CD. But, too late now!

 

[Pushka]

No, a fare is a fare irrespective of booking method. Seems you should have used CD. But, too late now!

There's always next time.

So he was only a young guy?

Well. Not fit then. . He had a Viking Cruises tag so self indulgent. <ducks>

 

[Austman]

Didn't you get the UL " J " courtesy free pick within 50 miles radius?

Are you sure it exists for UL (SriLankan)?

 

[Pushka]

Are you sure it exists for UL (SriLankan)?

I can't see the option for our leg - Colombo - HK - ADL.

Colombo is booming with infrastructure development. When we were here in 1985 it was in the midst of the Tamil Tiger rebellion. Soldiers everywhere with the latest weapons, bomb threats and then shortly after a BA plane was blown up on the Tarmac.

It's a different place today.

None of the larger buildings were here 10 years ago.




The lads have a uniform for their Sunday arvo cricket match


Locals enjoying Sunday afternoon on the green


They are busy reclaiming sea for shipping containers. Their geography is quite strategic and weather much less torrid than Dubai.

 

[Pushka]

The flight last night was quite pleasant. Having had dinner in the lounge we had planned a drink and then sleep. We were delayed an hour on the Tarmac by traffic control. J passengers were loaded first then Y. It was a quick process.

A glass of champagne or poison of choice served while waiting.

The seats are like Cathay herringbone. Not a great deal of storage space.




And when reclined they were pretty much 180 flat - unlike Q A380 where I felt I was constantly moving downhill.

Menus

 

[Pushka]

I just ordered a water then settled down for sleep. The flight was extremely bumpy an hour in - Captain had pre warned us and they had started meal service and things went crashing. At this point I was just wondering whether..... but then things settled and order resumed.

We were given slippers, face mask and socks in cello packs and thought that was all. There was a blanket - almost like a sheet - but that proved more than enough. Two pillows. As meal service was on I actually put one over my head - the eye mask was really uncomfortable and while it sounds weird, the light pillow over my head muffled cabin and engine noise and stopped that flickering from screens you get when others are angled in your direction.

I slept on and off until about two hours out - so around 7 hours and started to resurface just as they put the cabin lights on. Just a light breakfast as I can't face food on waking

The coffee was really good.
Then I noticed I'd been given a small orange amenity pack while I was asleep with nice refresher, toothpaste and brush, brush etc. The pack is a handy size also.

We skipped through immigration and luggage was already out. On our way quickly. Of course I hadn't read up and took the first person to say taxi - . A grubby car and even the Tuk tuk drivers were shaking their heads at him. Oh well, we got there.

 

[Pushka]

We walked around the Galle beach frontage then as we hadn't eaten since breakfast (now 6pm) we were hungry and thirsty. We showered and headed for the beach front bar. Love_the_life and I had lunch there a couple of months ago.

Ate quickly tonight as we were weary but it was pleasant. Nasi Goreng and a burger.




This time a gorgeous sunset.

 

[Pushka]

At sunset we heard a bagpipe. Each sunset he parades down from the verandah while the manager lowers the Sri Lankan flag.

 

[Pushka]

I was just thinking yesterday it was good to see the reduction in armed soldiers.

Came down from the room this morning to find a bride and her party in the finest Sri Lankan wedding outfit. Her flowers were a mass of seed pearls and flowers. Several bridesmaids and young male attendants. They walked towards the main lobby (love_the_life - we've been in those two places) and then outside was the grooms party. Oh my. Their wedding outfits were amazing in a SL kind of fashion. We had planned to catch a tuk tuk to get some breakfast so kept walking - still on the grounds - then saw all the soldiers and rifles and all the cars cleared in. Then in a procession came several beribboned cars carrying more of the bridal party. Can only presume that some Government official's child was getting married. Absolutely no photos. The soldiers looked armed and ready to shoot. Will find out the gig later.

 

[love_the_life]

Any sapphires yet?

 

[Pushka]

Any sapphires yet?

Looking looking. But I think not.

Turned out the VP was nothing special. Just the President

 

[Cossie]

More importantly, did Mr P show the cricketers how to really play cricket?

 

[Pushka]

More importantly, did Mr P show the cricketers how to really play cricket?

He used to do that in his younger days. The locals loved it.

When we travelled to SL in the '80's to complete an adoption MrP was known there as a cricketer even though he only played State plus a few state versus overseas Test Team warmups. But in one of those matches against the West Indies he did very well and it was known in Sri Lanka. This knowledge worked a treat when going through the court process in SL. I think it also helped with second adoption as it was recorded in the file used for selection. Silly Cricket.

 

[bobe]

Get the CD every time we us UL J to Heathrow, there and back.

 

[Austman]

Get the CD every time we us UL J to Heathrow, there and back.

Here are the details:

http://www.srilankan.com/en_uk/special-offers/limo-service

 

[bobe]

I thinks it's kept a bit LOW key but when you do a J booking ask for the CD information you have to put in the post code to where you are staying, one year we did a Celebrity Cruise from Southampton and had to pay a little extra as it was out of the 50 mile radius,off he top of my head think it was about 15 pounds, on the way back we stayed at friends near Dunstable and got the CD back to Heathrow,was great.

 

[Pushka]

Well. I did organize for some ruby cufflinks to be made for MrP for our 40th wedding anniversary next year from Sifani jewellers but somehow some extra sapphire earrings seem to have popped on to the order. Will go nicely with the bracelet. Now, to keep the cufflinks safe and where I will find them when needed. But first to remember to pick them up tomorrow night without him knowing. He knows something is up. I'm awful at being evasive.

 

[Pushka]

Been a lazy day. Yesterday we took a tuk tuk to visit some places we went to 32 years ago. Some very poignant memories.
Last night drinks. Very pleasant.


Followed closely by dinner by the pool. Asian nibbles for him and delicious fish and chips for me.



The dinner buffet looks fabulous at night time and we are venturing there tonight.




The waves crash into the Hotel consistently. If they built a break then this place would be a Mecca for surfers. So MrP tells me.

 

[Pushka]

Looks pretty innocuous. The view from the pool. Almost idyllic.


Zooming in...





The hotel is next to the Indian Embassy and American centre. Army barracks across the road.

 

[Pushka]

Breakfast this morning - we woke up in time today. And like dinner it's beautifully presented. A full on English and Indian buffet.






My meal - egg hopper with mango chilli chutney, red curry sauce and spicy dhall.



It was rather excellent.

Four times a day they run a completely different offering. Breakfast. Lunch. Afternoon tea and dinner. Very very British. Spiffing show eh what?

Gotta run. Bagpipes are calling.