tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49406789257060486582024-03-13T12:20:11.486-07:00India, Sri Lanka & DubaiJanice Hatthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04385023199723914351noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4940678925706048658.post-81879597161936794042013-09-27T14:11:00.007-07:002022-04-10T13:48:31.585-07:00Itinerary Information<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><b>Day By Day Highlights and Hotel (links for contact)</b></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8-OZB-JYuKnJPJ5twaynRSnziw3tk9_efzR27H72dwzxPvWBNDakByjyAxrFcqbmzLvqcRhp319nsGQPzt7N5_1L1Y7yQoEPSjdcu7Q-KvlGkBfmZHRZgFnULRQFY4ilNcH1KfXrbtnqj/s1600/7603.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8-OZB-JYuKnJPJ5twaynRSnziw3tk9_efzR27H72dwzxPvWBNDakByjyAxrFcqbmzLvqcRhp319nsGQPzt7N5_1L1Y7yQoEPSjdcu7Q-KvlGkBfmZHRZgFnULRQFY4ilNcH1KfXrbtnqj/s320/7603.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><b> </b> </span><br />
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Sept. 11 Wednesday Depart Toronto 9:40pm Emirates EK242<br />
<br />
Sept. 12 Thursday Arrive Dubai 6:35pm<br />
Depart Dubai 10:10pm Emirates EK512<br />
Sept. 13 Friday Arrive Delhi 02:45am (day free)<br />
<a href="http://www.theimperialindia.com/">Imperial Hotel </a><br />
Sept. 14 Saturday Imperial Hotel, Delhi - Red Fort, Jama Masjid mosque, Chandri Chowk, Raj Ghat, Chor Bizarre, New Delhi, India Gate, Humayun's Tomb, Qutab Minar <a href="https://photos.google.com/search/13%20sep%202013">Photos of the Day</a><br />
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Sept. 15 Sunday <a href="http://www.starwoodhotels.com/luxury/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=422">ITC Mungai</a>, Agra (5hr drive) - Agra Fort, sunset Taj Mahal<br />
<span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="-webkit-transition: color 0.3s; background-color: white; color: #009eb8; display: inline; font-size: medium; line-height: 17.8182px; outline: none; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.3s ease 0s;"> <a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/kraFmJMkXiMGBnv48"> <span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.6364px; line-height: 17.8182px; outline-color: initial; outline-width: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; transition-duration: 0.3s; transition-property: color;">All Photos of the Da</span></span></a><a href="https://photos.google.com/search/15%20sep%202013" style="-webkit-transition: color 0.3s; background-color: white; color: #009eb8; display: inline; font-family: "Helvetica Neue Light", HelveticaNeue-Light, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.6364px; line-height: 17.8182px; outline: none; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.3s ease 0s;">y</a></span><br />
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Sept. 16 Monday <a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/kraFmJMkXiMGBnv48"> ITC Rajputana Jaipur - sunrise Taj Mahal, (6hr drive) Fatehpu Sikri<br />
<span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="-webkit-transition: color 0.3s; background-color: white; color: #009eb8; display: inline; font-size: medium; line-height: 17.8182px; outline: none; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.3s ease 0s;"> <span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.6364px; line-height: 17.8182px; outline-color: initial; outline-width: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; transition-duration: 0.3s; transition-property: color;">All Photos of the Day</span></span></span></a><br />
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Sept. 17 Tuesday ITC Rajputana Jaipur - Spice Market, Amber Fort, Palace of Winds (Hawa Mahal), City Palace, Jantar Mantar <a href="https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipNb2QD39KTN4mNUrzeZcujlcYkf8QGQhNncqhHFV52y3ZYCOtqxFZtMUj2amaLOyQ?key=cGlna250YmJVeUdhd2xwWmYydDAyX3l4N2VPc0Fn"> <span style="color: #009eb8; font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.9091px; outline-color: initial; outline-width: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; transition-duration: 0.3s; transition-property: color;">All Photos of the Day</span></span></a><br />
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Sept. 18 Wednesday ITC Rajputana Jaiput - Amber Fort (elephant ride), (Hot Air Balloon), (Birla Temple) <a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/P7U2vmMwrM2JhWgA8"> <span style="color: #009eb8; font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.9091px; outline-color: initial; outline-width: initial; transition-duration: 0.3s; transition-property: color;">Photos of the Day</span></span></a><br />
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Sept. 19 Thursday (6hr drive) Depart Delhi 6:50pm UL 196<br />
Arrive Columbo 10:25pm<br />
<a href="http://www.jetwinghotels.com/jetwinglagoon/special-offers.html?gclid=CMj5hd-AtbkCFbFDMgodoDsAug">Jetwing Lagoon Negombo Hotel</a> <a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/pv7HmH9ahtenxstf7"> <span style="color: #009eb8; font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.9091px; outline-color: initial; outline-width: initial; transition-duration: 0.3s; transition-property: color;">Photos of the Day</span></span></a><br />
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Sept. 20 Friday Jetwing Lagoon Negombo Hotel (day free - group arrive 1:35/hotel ~3pm )<br />
7pm Outdoor Welcome Dinner<br />
<br />
Sept. 21 Saturday <a href="http://www.cinnamonhotels.com/CinnamonLodgeHabarana.htm">Cinnamon Lodge, Habarana</a> <br />
<a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/wbuwd94DY4JTbgFEA" style="-webkit-transition: color 0.3s; background-color: white; color: #009eb8; display: inline; font-family: "Helvetica Neue Light", HelveticaNeue-Light, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 22.9091px; outline: none; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.3s ease 0s;">All Photos of the Day</a><br />
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Sept. 22 Sunday Cinnamon Lodge, Habarana - Anuradhapura, Sri Maha Bodhi, Brazen Palace, Ruwanweli Seya, Samadhi
Buddha, Isurumuniya rock temple, Kuttam Pokuna, Thuparama, Ratnaprasada,
Mahasena's Palace, Mihintale <a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/HqBQpRwJsSwUpFP19" style="-webkit-transition: color 0.3s; background-color: white; color: #009eb8; display: inline; font-family: "Helvetica Neue Light", HelveticaNeue-Light, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 22.9091px; outline: none; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.3s ease 0s;">All Photos of the Day</a><br />
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Sept. 23 Monday Cinnamon Lodge, Habarana - Sigiriya: Rock Fortress, Water Gardens, Frescos of Maidens, Mirror Wall, Lion Platform, Lion Rock, Royal Citadel; Polonnaruwa (1hr20min): medieval kingdom, lying Buddha, National Museum <a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/zUJeLZQ8enuug7Zr8" style="-webkit-transition: color 0.3s; background-color: white; color: #009eb8; display: inline; font-family: "Helvetica Neue Light", HelveticaNeue-Light, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 22.9091px; outline: none; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.3s ease 0s;">All Photos of the Day</a><br />
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Sept. 24 Tuesday Cinnamon Lodge, Habarana - Ritigala Monastery, Elephant Transit home, Padikaramaduwa Vijaya Maha Vidyalaya rural school, Patikara Maduwa ancient rural village<br />
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Sept. 25 Wednesday <a href="http://www.cinnamonhotels.com/CinnamonCitadelKandy.htm">Cinnamon Citadel, Kandy</a> - Dambulla Cave Temples, Matale/Spice Garden, <br />
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Sept. 26 Thursday <a href="http://www.grand-hotel-nuwara-eliya-sri-lanka.lakpura.com/">Grand Hotel, Nuwara Eliya</a> - tour Kandy, Buddha tooth relic, Royal Botanical Gardens/Orchids<br />
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Sept. 27 Friday Grand Hotel, Nuwara Eliya - Horton Plains National Park: World's End, Baker's Falls, (hiking); Option: Nuwara Eliya town tour<br />
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Sept. 28 Saturday <a href="http://www.slh.com/hotels/jetwing-lighthouse-hotel-and-spa/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Hotel%2BNames%2B-%2BCity%2B%7C%2BSearch%2B%7C%2BCAN&utm_term=Jetwing_Lighthouse_Galle_GO20111201125222112348&refcd=GO20111201125222112348s_Jetwing_Lighthouse_Galle&tsacr=GO32849747252">Jetwing Lighthouse, Galle</a> - Pedro Tea Factory & Plantaton, St. Clair & Devon Falls (Br. on the River Kwai), Galle<br />
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Sept. 29 Sunday Jetwing Lighthouse, Galle - Galle tour: Dutch Church, Gov. House, Spice Warehouses, Court Square, Kachcheri, Lighthouses, Ramparts, Marin Wickremasinghe Museum, Galle Fort; Handugugda Estate, Farewell Dinner Party<br />
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Sept. 30 Monday <a href="http://www.cinnamonhotels.com/CinnamonLakeside.htm"> Cinnamon Lakeside, Columbo</a> - (morning free) (2hr drive), (free time)<br />
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Oct. 01 Tuesday Cinnamon Lakeside, Columbo - city tour, National Museum, Pettah local bazaar, Temples, Wolfendhal Church, Cinnamon Gardens, Sapumal Foundation<br />
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Oct. 02 Wednesday Depart Columbo 10:50am Emirates EK651<br />
Arrive Dubai 1:25pm<br />
<a href="http://www.booking.com/hotel/ae/jebel-ali.en-gb.html?aid=311088;label=jebel-ali-iVvOtytQAkHxoBdmlqZp4gS14278574043%3Apl%3Ata%3Ap1%3Ap2%3Aac%3Aap1t1%3Aneg;sid=e792d12053196476b70df66c674b8234;dcid=1;srfid=89e0ff69ee7e3c5571bd8ecbc69cad6a607a6fd4X1">Jebel Ali Hotel, Dubai</a> (free time)<br />
Oct. 03 Thursday Jebel Ali Hotel, Dubai - Merchant City tour: Jumeirah Mosque, Jumeirah<br />
Road, Mercado, Royal Family Palace, Dubai Creek, Bastakiya, Al Fahidi Fort Museum; Gold Souq, Spice Souq, Textile Souq<br />
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Oct. 04 Friday Jebel Ali Hotel, Dubai - (free or optional) Falconry or Beach<br />
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Oct. 05 Saturday Jebel Ali Hotel, Dubai - (free or optional) Snorkling at Fujairah<br />
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Oct. 06 Sunday Jebel Ali Hotel, Dubai - (free day) even Dune Dinner in desert<br />
<br />
Oct. 07 Monday Depart Dubai 9:55am Emirates EK 241<br />
Arrive Toronto 3:45pm<br />
<br /></div>
Janice Hatthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04385023199723914351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4940678925706048658.post-7347035196812264362013-09-25T01:25:00.000-07:002014-05-03T10:18:53.468-07:00Wednesday/Thursday 12 September - Enroute<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">We were ready in plenty of time and watched a violent
hailstorm out our back door while we waited. The limo was a bit early and as we
drove to the airport the radio was all abuzz with storm warnings and flight
delays. However, our flight was on time. We walked right up to a baggage check
counter, but the security line was endless. Still, we had time for a light meal
and waited awhile in the departure lounge. The airplane is massive (10 seats
across, 2 levels) but nearly every seat was filled. When you’re travelling in economy,
nearly all flights are the same. We did get cute little kits with eyeshades,
toothbrushes and socks. At midnight we had dinner, and at the halfway point of
the flight, sandwiches. Very early in the morning Toronto time we had
breakfast. All OK as airline food goes. There were several children and babies
near us but for the most part they were quiet. We both slept, or at least
dozed, for much of the flight, and arrived in pretty good shape in Dubai
shortly after 6pm local time, just as the sun set abruptly.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">[Larry adds] I wondered: will someone really be here in
Delhi to meet us. Sure was, and had
garlands put over our necks at 3am.
Hotel is a wonderful old luxurious British colonial style. Everything is perfect. Internet is good and fast but awkward signon
required and these days at $20/day is an atrocious affront to modern travel.</span></span></div>
</div>
Janice Hatthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04385023199723914351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4940678925706048658.post-86452492480309916162013-09-24T06:20:00.000-07:002014-09-05T11:45:55.578-07:00Friday 13 September New Delhi<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
Janice Hatthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04385023199723914351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4940678925706048658.post-70020548725087316832013-09-23T19:54:00.000-07:002014-09-05T09:07:06.278-07:00Saturday 14 September - New Delhi<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">We both were awake around 3:30, so read until about 6:15 and went for breakfast. What a great array of good things! We tried to keep it light but so much temptation.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Our guide for the day, Amit Sharma, and our driver for the week, Sukhdev, picked us up at 9 for an amazing day of exploration and history. We visited the sites in chronological order, beginning with Qutub Minar, an amazing stone tower,</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> also the site of tombs and an iron pillar that has stood 1600 years without rusting or decomposing. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXUMAq6aGYYSYTPXURweyNxlipWZ003sGDXhAhdAXRVIh7FFFwZwr1ugIbonZXHm2RD5cWS8v9b3ZwYfqOMFpzooi1SX5fFDnKht6CT0MzoSEaHtQstlzCcqrCPZR3wyOVPIdShIdSMgfB/s1600/Qutub+Minar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXUMAq6aGYYSYTPXURweyNxlipWZ003sGDXhAhdAXRVIh7FFFwZwr1ugIbonZXHm2RD5cWS8v9b3ZwYfqOMFpzooi1SX5fFDnKht6CT0MzoSEaHtQstlzCcqrCPZR3wyOVPIdShIdSMgfB/s1600/Qutub+Minar.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">While we were wandering through this complex, 2 different families asked if they could have their picturres taken with us. Of course we complied. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTdmfSpK3gwBuE1jx0nEobTaixUTfd_IQ_iUpKqZJIoG9P-EtcjKPH5j5SJtGGf4l7-EgecSAIecvznq4LWCL7P0MovShmQ-1c9FL4p0S4JpyMfUXvOMy-Lz-5EjITNYjuan9EsdHe778S/s1600/DSCF1231s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTdmfSpK3gwBuE1jx0nEobTaixUTfd_IQ_iUpKqZJIoG9P-EtcjKPH5j5SJtGGf4l7-EgecSAIecvznq4LWCL7P0MovShmQ-1c9FL4p0S4JpyMfUXvOMy-Lz-5EjITNYjuan9EsdHe778S/s320/DSCF1231s.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Next at Humayan's tomb, a red stone monument that was the inspiration for the Taj Mahal, we climbed steep steps to admire the views of gardens and the intricate designs on the structures. It was so hot and humid that we were moving quite slowly.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF6UJqXHJw5nx-uBDv8dmrwLq-4vri4_8HQS5LMErjhUOxfjxpa6PANSAR7I9cM__IwgTZ4Pa6EehAIPAIrMOtD__BcQDmJquxPrd90mSfAA0fkpRfW35PA0FBJ9XuXD9jbe-2WkF53dZP/s1600/IMG_0340s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF6UJqXHJw5nx-uBDv8dmrwLq-4vri4_8HQS5LMErjhUOxfjxpa6PANSAR7I9cM__IwgTZ4Pa6EehAIPAIrMOtD__BcQDmJquxPrd90mSfAA0fkpRfW35PA0FBJ9XuXD9jbe-2WkF53dZP/s320/IMG_0340s.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">A drive along the Rajpath gave us good views of the India Gate (memorial to 90,000 Indians who gave their lives in WW1)</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVJJ70Zwb9TXLEwOJO41fwZ1NuwZgVol3hqIuadfLquOAWaTfPjrxRUmaKTxBwtSGiF26zKTb2iReGm8yNAlKTXawb3EhO93n82Zp4vMX93plfZm6IPR-wFKZSJfDvLXkZpA9_hNwExHSd/s1600/IndiaGate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVJJ70Zwb9TXLEwOJO41fwZ1NuwZgVol3hqIuadfLquOAWaTfPjrxRUmaKTxBwtSGiF26zKTb2iReGm8yNAlKTXawb3EhO93n82Zp4vMX93plfZm6IPR-wFKZSJfDvLXkZpA9_hNwExHSd/s1600/IndiaGate.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> at one end and the Parliament/Secretariat, and the Presidential Palace.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiytt_0eW4WSZM6ManSSslmrdDkza3zEHviByXkhBw6n6EszAleRl3IZJMG943kcIWkm_1vMwTI9yKE9913pro9kaO2XcWEkpgWvOuZ87uyxbbk0xhGZuGuTycWmrt9mv0Ijt98AvKTRmPS/s1600/IndiaPresidential.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiytt_0eW4WSZM6ManSSslmrdDkza3zEHviByXkhBw6n6EszAleRl3IZJMG943kcIWkm_1vMwTI9yKE9913pro9kaO2XcWEkpgWvOuZ87uyxbbk0xhGZuGuTycWmrt9mv0Ijt98AvKTRmPS/s1600/IndiaPresidential.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Lunch was at Chor Bizarre whee Amit explained the various Indian dishes. I am finding the food very spicy and my appetite very small, which is ok except it causes concern to servers and others [ Larry makes up for it ].</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">At the Masjid-I-Jahan-Numa, India's largest mosque, we had to leave our shoes outside, with no confidence they would still be there when we came out. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjmZIBIzjLsEY3tmK1_lvmHTfFq2c0MpVLvu9dcbVlgFCbMOycxJsWYSd_eeFBz46PA0QW5ecVnxsdGT2uQRcPydzKclLnmnaXqliZJRROhSngY7QnxpZ42s3Wv3f0Im5O97OkYW4bfWd6/s1600/IMG_0370s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjmZIBIzjLsEY3tmK1_lvmHTfFq2c0MpVLvu9dcbVlgFCbMOycxJsWYSd_eeFBz46PA0QW5ecVnxsdGT2uQRcPydzKclLnmnaXqliZJRROhSngY7QnxpZ42s3Wv3f0Im5O97OkYW4bfWd6/s320/IMG_0370s.jpg" height="228" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> It is a huge place, and can accomodate something like 25,000 worshipers. Today there were very few. We could see the Red Fort but didn't visit it [as we were tired and would see a larger version in Agra]. The area in this part of Old Delhi is crowded, dirty and poor. We got into terrible traffic jam - totally unbelievable by Canadian standards. Sukhdev is unflappable, squeezing into and through tiny gaps between other cars, bikes, tuk-tuks and vendors stalls, to say nothing of pedestrians [ all with Amit hanging out the window calling out the micro-clearances].</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">We ended at Raj Ghat, where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated. It is a pilgrimage site and we watched many people file past.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEtVlvA5DKqi7d4w8mj3Kt0vhKRFlCR0u9nOoumWBSKS77436DYsJQX_V5HUxoHsM_9_Dim1Hf_WE7CLLzlR8pV4KCYaaUuRAFEWaH6LzR00tnLv8uFLWm7l5j3G3kaFv322FSbpjdQ5HS/s1600/IMG_0375.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEtVlvA5DKqi7d4w8mj3Kt0vhKRFlCR0u9nOoumWBSKS77436DYsJQX_V5HUxoHsM_9_Dim1Hf_WE7CLLzlR8pV4KCYaaUuRAFEWaH6LzR00tnLv8uFLWm7l5j3G3kaFv322FSbpjdQ5HS/s320/IMG_0375.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">After a cool bath and rest, we were back in the car to go to the Lodi Gard Restaurant for dinner. It was lovely to sit in the flickering candlelight under the trees and enjoying a good dinner. We were tired and glad that service was fairly quick so we couled get back to the hotel and relax [ Larry is a bit under the weather with the travelers disease ]. </span></span><br />
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<h2 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Sunday September 15 - Delhi to Agra (missed entry)</span></span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Again we awoke early, but feeling a bit more rested. The hotel is lovely and we hate to leave. Sukhdev picked us up promptly at 9 and we left the city for Agra. We were soon on an expressway travelling through the large city of Noia where many huge apartment buildings and offices are under construction. Then out into countryside that resembles Southern Ontario if you don't look too closely at the vegetation. The air everywhere is very hazy. Thank goodness for this very comfortable, roomy, air-conditioned Toyota van! There is only light traffic, but lots of motorbikes carrying whole families. Usually the driver wears a helmet, but none of the passengers do. We passed an accident scene and saw several motorbikes stopped. Sukhdev said that the bike drivers weave in and out of traffic so he's not surprised. To our Canadian eyes all the traffic is chaotic, but it seems accidents are rare. As we approached Agra, the traffic became much more dense and chaotic, with all kinds of vehicles, motor- , animal- , and human-powered, as well as animals and people wandering or even lying on the streets. Sukhdev is skillful and threaded through all of it calmly and efficiently. The hotel, while not as luxurious as The Imperial, is very nice. The grounds are extensive and lush. We saw a large pool, but didn't use it. Our local rep met us, got us through the check-in process and made sure we had what we needed. Late in the afternoon, our guide, Guru, arrived and we had a sunset tour of Agra Fort. It is red sandstone but within the vast fort is a residential section with a harem area, audience areas and so on, all in white marble with beautiful inlays of semi-precious stones. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">There are wonderful views of the Taj Mahal. We also saw processions of singing & dancing crowds, celebrating the Festival of Ganesh, the Elephant god. Very colourful and joyous. Although our restaurant for dinner was just across from the hotel, Sukhdev insisted on driving us -- with good reason -- because the traffic is so heavy and the streets so crowded it would not be safe on foot. The meal at <u>A Pinch of Spice</u> was the most enjoyable we've had in India. It was mildly spiced with about 6 or 7 delicious dishes. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">It's a family restaurant so we enjoyed seeing kids having fun. We were ready to turn in as soon as we got back to the hotel, managing to fight off sleep only until about 10pm. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://larryhatt.com/TPhotos/2013/INDIA/Friday13SeptemberNewDelhi/Page.html">All Photos of the Day</a> </span></span></div>
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Janice Hatthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04385023199723914351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4940678925706048658.post-78149590119955704302013-09-21T06:13:00.001-07:002022-04-10T13:34:43.423-07:00Monday 15 & 16 September Agra (Taj Mahal) & Jaipur<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-size: large;">We were up and on our way to the Taj Mahal by 5:45am in order to enter at sunrise. Like everywhere security is tight. We're getting very accustomed to being patted down and having the car scanned by sensors everywhere. </span><br />
<span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-size: large;">At the Taj, we had to park a long distance away and take a small tram to the site, where we had another walk to the Taj itself. It really is as astonishing as we had heard -- more beautiful than any building we've ever seen. We chose not to have our photo taken on "Diana's bench" but our guide kindly shot pictures of us several other places. He said some people want to sit where she was photographed, but most people prefer not too because she was an unhappy unlucky lady.</span><br />
<span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-size: large;">The Taj Mahal has been photographed and described very well so many times, I won't even try, but it is indeed breath-taking.</span><br />
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<span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-size: large;">Back at the hotel at 7:30 we had an excellent breakfast, then packed up and met Guru and Sukhdev for the trip to Fatehpur Sikri. This is another Mughal fort, an hour or so from Agra. Along the way we saw busy markets, more crazy traffic, sometimes tuk-tuks carrying 8 people; we found it crowded with 2 in Delhi. The fort is a vast red sandstone structure with beautiful carvings. The king had 3 wives: Muslim, Hindu and Christian. Each wife had her own residence in the fort. </span><br />
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<span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-size: large;">Attached to the fort is a lovely mosque which we saw from a distance but did not visit.</span><br />
<span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-size: large;">Leaving the fort, we dropped Guru (guide) off to catch local transportation back to Agra, and proceeded on our way to Jaipur on a very good highway though similar agricultural country side with occasional villages and markets.</span><br />
<span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-size: large;">Coming into Jaipur was once again to be plunged into chaos, but Sukhdev is familiar with the city and navigated to the hotel easily. Security is not so tight here, with a check of the car at the gate, a detector and scanner at the door, but no pat-down. [of course just down the hall from our room 2 soldiers with rifles sit opposite each other. I waved last night and they jumped to their feet and saluted]</span><br />
<span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-size: large;">As usual, we were greeted by a very pleasant local rep who outlined our stay and saw us through the check-in.</span><br />
<span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-size: large;">The room here is far nicer than the one in Agra, with a desk for the computer, chairs and a nice view of the pool area. Sukhdev picked us up at 7 to drive us to the very grand hotel for dinner. It was a very very nice dining experience with attentive staff and a conversation with the charming chef. There were dancers performing outside in the garden and we had a good view from our table. Unfortunately, by the time we got back to our own hotel Janice was hit with the dread traveller's illness. We hope that, like Larry, she recovers quickly. At least the timing was good. </span><br />
<a href="https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipNwPpcJ6uWHzGnwXxPbvqjE0GkTQLatt4L_cOKrirstrVN7kJN-NPrC9h62ctZ2ag?key=ME9hWkx5cnp5cFpCb2tDdTcxWFlOWW5VX2tvMnp3"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-size: large;">All Photos of the Day </span></a></div>
Janice Hatthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04385023199723914351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4940678925706048658.post-31555763817417831492013-09-20T23:49:00.001-07:002022-04-10T13:37:03.654-07:00Tuesday 17 September - Jaipur<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: large;">I stayed at the hotel while Larry visited the museum and other sites; he has written it up him self below</span></span><br />
<span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: large;">[ We met our guide, Mahendra, together but Janice was not up to the morning tour. We first had a photo-op at the Hawa Mahal, the Palace of Winds. It was built as a viewing place for the sequestered ladies of the court to view the excitement of the city.</span></span><br />
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<span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: large;">We then went on to the Jantar Mantar, an unbelievably large assortment of astronomical/astrological instruments which on a sundial basis allows calculation of planet movements, time of day down to seconds, latitude and longitude etc. Marvelous collection but on a scale that defies imagination.</span></span><br />
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<span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: large;">Then off to the City Palace, still the home of the royal family, but now a museum of 19th century men's and ladies gowns and military weapons.</span></span><br />
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<span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: large;">We visited an artist exhibit as well and with great resistance I sat for an explanation of the artist's techniques with natural dyes and a single hair brush. He did a free sketch for Janice and I but unfortunately I was led to buy an excellent elephant painting and because I was the first customer of the day he threw in a second free drawing of an elephant on genuine 19th century rice paper legal documents which he bought in bulk at auction (really!)</span></span><br />
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<span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: large;">Back to the hotel to see Janice. Skipped the lunch at the Spice Court Restaurant but Janice is feeling a bit better so we hope to make it back to the Rambagh Palace for dinner.</span></span><br />
<span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: large;">In the afternoon the hotel staff brought Janice 2 dozen roses to make her feel better. I think it worked as we will make dinner tonight ]</span></span><br />
<span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: large;">In the evening we returned to the Rambaugh Palace for dinner, and again it was just great. I didn't eat much, but what I had was delicious. This time we sat outside on the terrace where we had an excellent of the dancers.</span></span><br />
<span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipNb2QD39KTN4mNUrzeZcujlcYkf8QGQhNncqhHFV52y3ZYCOtqxFZtMUj2amaLOyQ?key=cGlna250YmJVeUdhd2xwWmYydDAyX3l4N2VPc0Fn">All Photos of the Day</a> </span></span><br />
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Janice Hatthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04385023199723914351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4940678925706048658.post-21356659690981745532013-09-19T02:40:00.001-07:002022-04-10T13:51:16.164-07:00Wednesday 18 September - Jaipur<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">We met Mahendra, our guide, and Sukhdev early for the trip to the Amber Fort. As we got close, we stopped for a photo op with a young elephant, then joined the lineup for the elephant ride up the hill to the fort. There were many vendors but they are not insistent or rude, so not a problem. Eventually it was our turn and we sat on the seat on the elephant's back. It was difficult to get balanced, and also to keep our feet from banging into the walls. Not a comfortable ride, but an interesting experience. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">Once up the hill we climbed further into the fort and discovered a wow-wow-wow residential area, with beautiful carvings, mirrored mosaics, frescoes and architecture. So beautiful!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">From the fort we drove to a jewellery manufactory where we saw the process of cutting and polishing gems and their setting into silver, then many beautiful pieces of jewelery. We resisted but it was hard.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">From there, we continued to a textile operation. I had fun block printing a piece of cloth and then we SHOPPED.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">We didn't have the same resistance here and its clear we a capacity problem with our luggage. What to do? [Janice got a cotton/silk table cloth, and Larry succumbed to the lure of 6 custom tailored shirts]</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Our evening meal was in a private home, Sankotra Haveli, where we were hosted by the patriarch and his son and daughter-in-law. They explained that their fore-fathers were feudal lords under a maharaja until that system was mostly done away with after the independence of India in 1948. They retained this 200 year old large house in Jaipur and some acres in their home village, which they still have. 24 members of the extended family live together.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">We were greeted with red dots on our foreheads and flower garlands around our necks. the meal was varied and delicious, though once again I ate very little. It was our first time eating goat, and we quite enjoyed it. This couple's 9-year old son </span></span> <span style="font-size: large;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">is away at boarding school and apparently just starting to do better in most subjects except English.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">After the meal we returned to our hotel where the tailor was patiently waiting with Larry's new shirts. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/P7U2vmMwrM2JhWgA8">Photos of the Day </a></span></span></div>
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Janice Hatthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04385023199723914351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4940678925706048658.post-29541011852517584072013-09-17T00:57:00.000-07:002014-05-03T10:17:01.021-07:00Friday 20 September - Negombo Sri Lanka<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We opened one of the blinds so we could lie in bed and watch the activity around the vast swimming pool. [ Remember that all the photos in the blog can be clicked for a larger view]</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Several brilliantly-dressed young ladies carrying large bouquets went by (one in white, others coloured dresses - wedding coming..? ), and so did a few tourists and several staff. The sky was a bit cloudy, a relief after so much sunshine in India. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Finally we dragged ourselves out and wandered to the breakfast area where we enjoyed breakfast and the lagoon view. At breakfast there was a sudden rain squall. It had lessened somewhat by the time we returned to the room, but we regretted not taking the umbrella which was provided in our room.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Unfortunately breakfast sat poorly and I was soon back in bed. More sleep, then the realization that I need to start taking the antibiotics. We decided not to go to the restaurant for lunch under the circumstances. [ and also because our program didn't include it today. Soooo a suitcase lunch ]</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the early afternoon we wandered to the shady side of the enormous swimming pool and made ourselves comfortable. Larry went for a swim and then we relaxed and read until we spotted Maria-Angelica, Sally-Jo and Cathy arriving from the airport. They joined us poolside then everyone came to our room for wine & cheese (which Larry had catered from room service). Larry greeted everyone wearing his new </span></span><br />
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Dhoti Kurta, which was quite a hit.</h1>
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Eventually we adjourned to the lawn beside the lagoon for a sumptuous seafood dinner by moonlight. Nuwan, our very fine guide, pointed out that where we see a 'man-in-the-moon', Sri Lankans see a rabbit (have a look, its really there').</h1>
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Janice Hatthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04385023199723914351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4940678925706048658.post-15907064732223390462013-09-16T20:02:00.001-07:002022-04-10T13:54:01.882-07:00Saturday 21 September - Habarana<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">We were up and out of the hotel before 8, all of us sorry to leave such a comfortable, interesting place. There was a photography session around the pool for a large and beautiful wedding, so shot a few photos ourselves.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAhgh0wRdiJklOCH82AJfVBh3JkLMSvNuySeOHyyEu9LmMbFLBBNY8AyYvFaJ515fhJRC6Sr_PpK6nYMi4Pt8AtX0ccvpmwud6A5gxgHhQ3YX_O6zosiPXZQsj_TI5guOitRWTW6b4srcJ/s1600/IMG_0506s.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAhgh0wRdiJklOCH82AJfVBh3JkLMSvNuySeOHyyEu9LmMbFLBBNY8AyYvFaJ515fhJRC6Sr_PpK6nYMi4Pt8AtX0ccvpmwud6A5gxgHhQ3YX_O6zosiPXZQsj_TI5guOitRWTW6b4srcJ/s320/IMG_0506s.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">First stop of the day was the Negombo sea food market. We picked our way between mats covered with drying salted fish </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrI8eRG26OsaT5nFMoVwBQOccxe_JFINIq9JTIrSdL73K8O63mEw5fLaYYUkiajlSOnSrafQS-nn9ZzPnziv1WPqM0Ukj7IhcOgYFhjd09Zz2BeY1Xs-rZTCHyieL6po8ydT9TZiAbexzX/s1600/IMG_5230s.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrI8eRG26OsaT5nFMoVwBQOccxe_JFINIq9JTIrSdL73K8O63mEw5fLaYYUkiajlSOnSrafQS-nn9ZzPnziv1WPqM0Ukj7IhcOgYFhjd09Zz2BeY1Xs-rZTCHyieL6po8ydT9TZiAbexzX/s320/IMG_5230s.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">and into the hustle and bustle of the very busy market. Around the outside were other vendors with many kinds of fruit and veggies and some permanent set-ups with convenience-store type items.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">At Pinnawela we visited an elephant sanctuary where Maria-Angelica, Lar and I watched Cathy and Sally-Jo enjoy a ride on one of the elephants, and other people helping with the elephant baths. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">The lunch we were served at the owner's home was delicious.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">At Sigiriya, only Larry thought the climb to the top [1000 steps] had any appeal. Sally-Jo and I decided to go part way, while Cathy and Maria-Angelica went for a photo of the site from another vantage point and to have a tea.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">When Sal and I reached our limit, Lar decided to turn back too. [now off the hook for the 1000 steps]. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixkrXxeG-Jnf4iLzliqUbsg2vCmRhgrn1XAj4sPtwQC1hWIXZRsz-jMEXnRwy2K0nslhU9Ki3ZbqTYHFH5aHT4NEbnzWHl9c05G100bvh9DCwMaD5KDRD5PV3VVpcxS_GwJOazEvQYsYas/s1600/DSCF1523s.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixkrXxeG-Jnf4iLzliqUbsg2vCmRhgrn1XAj4sPtwQC1hWIXZRsz-jMEXnRwy2K0nslhU9Ki3ZbqTYHFH5aHT4NEbnzWHl9c05G100bvh9DCwMaD5KDRD5PV3VVpcxS_GwJOazEvQYsYas/s320/DSCF1523s.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">We had seen so much already - water gardens, grottoes used by monks for living and meditation, wall frescoes, 2 defensive moats ( with a few surviving crocodiles that we didn't see) and a huge bathing pool. It's a vast and intriguing complex dating from 1600 years ago.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">We made a roadside stop to eat mangoes and plantains from the market visit, then on to the very lovely Cinnamon Lodge at Habarana. Another fabulous place to stay. We all stopped for a bit, some taking baths or showers before we headed to the dining room for an excellent buffet. Then it was early to bed. <a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/wbuwd94DY4JTbgFEA">All Photos of the Day</a></span></span></div>
Janice Hatthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04385023199723914351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4940678925706048658.post-27349169869571394612013-09-15T19:51:00.001-07:002022-04-10T13:55:53.495-07:00Sunday 22 September - Habarana<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: large;">We were slow starting today and delayed our departure until 8:45. Our first stop was Minitale, where we climbed a long staircase before removing our shoes and hats to enter the shrine area. None of us chose to climb to the place from which Buddhism was first presented to the king, a high steep area.</span></span><br />
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<span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: large;">Then off to Anuradhapura, first capital of the island (5th century BC to 9th century AD). This is a vast complex of shrines and ruins with many beautiful dagabas (relic chambers) and Buddha sculptures. To enter shrine area we had to remove shoes and hats and leave parasols folded. Some of us have very "tender tootsies" and found walking on the hot pavement excruciating. </span></span><br />
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<span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: large;">We examined a very well preserved moonstone - the first step leading into a temple - and Nuwan explained how it represented the human condition. The vendors were quite persistent at a few places if we showed any interest at all, but generally we had no trouble.</span></span><br />
<span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: large;">There were snake charmers at various places, but we chose not to pay to see their acts. </span></span><br />
<span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: large;">We had another big lunch at the Palm Garden Garden Village hotel, then drove back toward our own hotel. Nuwan knew of a spa nearby that he and his wife really like, so we stopped for a look. Cathy, Sally-Jo, Maria-Angelica and I all decided to go for the "full treatment" while Larry went back to the hotel to wait for us [and manage the photos]. </span></span><br />
<span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: large;">We started with a head, neck and shoulder massage using herbal oils--so much for the fancy coiffures! Then a full-body massage, including special attention to areas of injury or pain --- we all found this the most "full-body" we'd ever experienced. Then a sauna session, followed by a heat table -- lying on a wooden slatted platform covered leaves with a heat source below, and a large curved cover over top, with only our heads out -- for about 10 minutes, then a strange ( as if the rest was totally familiar! ) time lying on our backs with our eyes covered and oil ( or something ) dripping from a container and running across our foreheads. Then shower and shampoo, followed by facial scrub and massage with cream. We were all very relaxed afterward.</span></span><br />
<span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: large;">Back at the hotel we picked up Larry and went for dinner and then off to bed. </span></span><br />
<span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/HqBQpRwJsSwUpFP19">All Photos of the Day</a> </span></span></div>
Janice Hatthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04385023199723914351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4940678925706048658.post-83243177487680132472013-09-14T17:54:00.001-07:002022-04-10T13:56:25.806-07:00Monday 23 September - Habarana<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">On the way to breakfast we saw a large group of monkeys cavorting along the paths and across the grass. As we walked past, one reached out and tried to grab Larry's leg but soon thought better of it. The others saw a band of monkeys destroying the roof of one of the units by tossing off the tiles.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">We were late starting once again, but eventually were on our way to Polonnaruwa. This was the second capital of Sri Lanka (C10-C12 AD) and features artificial reservoirs, with sophisticated systems of sluices. We visited sites of several large buildings and the museum. Most impressive was the Gal Vihare Complex with 4 massive Buddha images carved into the cliff side from one slab of granite. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Lunch was with a local family, and was delicious - probably my favourite Sri Lanka meal so far.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Mid-afternoon found us at Minneriya National Park for a jeep safari. We were pretty crowded and uncomfortable sitting sideways on benches in the back of the small jeep as it travelled over deeply rutted roads for 3 hours. However we saw many elephants </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">and lots of birds. [ we were even "treated" to a couple of elephant charges as jeeps got too close. Of course the jeeps charged away and the elephants gave up. Our guide said that at times the elephant wins and on one of his excursions the elephant trashed the front-end of a new jeep. There are also a mother/daughter elephant couple that charge jeeps on site because they lost a baby on the nearby highway. ]</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">We were happy to get back to the hotel, where Sally-Jo, Maria-Angelica and I went for a refreshing swim while Cathy and Larry rested up from the day [No, I actually worked on photos for the last 2 days]. After dinner we were ready for bed.<a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/zUJeLZQ8enuug7Zr8"> All Photos of the Day</a></span></span></div>
Janice Hatthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04385023199723914351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4940678925706048658.post-7966586021230986232013-09-13T17:35:00.000-07:002014-09-05T11:03:38.674-07:00Tuesday 24 September - Habarana<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What a great way to start our day -- with a visit to a village school! We spent time with each of the 4 classes, looking at their work, giving them candy and singing "Head and Shoulders" with them.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There were some students away attending a ceremony so the ones there have a story for them when they come back. We left our gifts with them -- beautiful CANADA teeshirts for each child from Marie-Angelica, fabulous balls, books and pens from Sally-Jo, some teachers' resources from Cathy and notebooks and skipping ropes and coloured pencils from us. The teachers were pleased and we had fun with the kids.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">From there we travelled to an elephant transit house - a home for orphaned elephants who will be released into the wild after 5 years. One poor baby had been badly burned from wandering into a brick kiln and must stay isolated to avoid further injury. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> The others live together in a herd of 5 youngsters. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There is also a blind deer that lives on the premises.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While we were there I tripped, wrenching my problem hip and for an awful moment both Larry and I thought I'd hurt it all over again. I quickly realized it was not as bad as when I first injured it, but I've re-activated my limp. Drat!!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We had another lovely village lunch, and Sally-Jo was brave enough to try chewing betel nut. It turned her tongue orange but did not discolour her teeth. Also made her dizzy.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Next stop was a batik operation, then a silk place. There was shopping.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When we got to the hotel, Marie-Angelica was ready for a rest, Cathy for a drink and the rest for a swim and drinks.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the evening we enjoyed a really special private bbq on an island in the adjoining lake, where we saw the most spectacular huge moth ever.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Back in our rooms we found beautiful flowers on the bed and a good luck message spelled out on our table. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A truly great day! </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">[Pack up and off to Kandy tomorrow ]</span></span><br />
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Janice Hatthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04385023199723914351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4940678925706048658.post-62364896007562852262013-09-12T18:29:00.001-07:002022-04-10T13:57:53.549-07:00Wednesday 25 September - Habarana to Kandy<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><span style="font-size: large;">After checking out of the Habarana Cinnamon Lod</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">ge, we proceeded to Dambulla.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"> [Monkey family on steps during climb]</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">It was quite a climb, but well worth it. It's a 5 cave complex dating from the second century BC up to the 19th century AD with huge and beautiful carvings and wall paintings. Really awe-inspiring, and feeling very much like a "thin place".</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">At Matale we had a really interesting lunch of local fare, eaten off large leaves, with drinks from coconut shells, while we looked out over rice paddies.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Then we toured the Ranwali Spice Garden and enjoyed a free foot massage, </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">before browsing in the store. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">The drive to Kandy was winding and generally uphill. Road construction slowed us down, but the scenery is spectacular.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Our hotel, another Cinnamon property, is different from all the others, sprawling and very nice.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">We unpacked and headed out for a really enjoyable cultural show. It included drumming, dancing and firewalking.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">By that time it was dark and we could see the first star and bats by the hundreds flying overhead.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">We continued to the vast Temple of the Tooth. What an amazing place! The music that echoed across the complex was deafening up close and we enjoyed seeing the paintings representing the history of The Tooth, and the many rituals being carried out around the complex.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Back at the hotel we enjoyed a late dinner and to bed. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/QG9P5wNYXREUXTqZ6">All Photos of the Day</a> </span></span></div>
Janice Hatthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04385023199723914351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4940678925706048658.post-32225689301755753022013-09-11T07:06:00.000-07:002014-09-05T11:12:55.188-07:00Thursday 26 September - Kandy to Nuwara Eliya<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We dawdled this morning and checked out around 9:30 for a drive around Kandy. The first stop was a gem store where we saw how gems are mined in Sri Lanka and then shopped in the showroom. And I mean SHOPPED!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />From there it was a short hop to the Botanical Garden where we wandered a bit and visited the orchid house. Most interesting, a lovely place.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />Lunch was very good at a restaurant over a silk emporium.<br />Then we started into the mountains and were very glad to have an expert driver, Ramesh, since it's all hair-pin turns and passing on curves.<br />A visit to a tea factory involved quite a climb but was very informative.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />Then a very scenic stop at a hotel perched on the edge of a valley.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />There was a jewelry store -- more SHOPPING!<br />A little further along we noticed several monks bathing in a mountain stream. It was really a very striking scene with their billiant orange robes against the water against the mountain backdrop. <br />Finally, after climbing into the mist and it becoming dark we reached the Grand Hotel at Nuwara Eliya. It is old and stately and very big. We enjoyed a delicious dinner, a tour of the wine cellar and early to bed.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://larryhatt.com/TPhotos/2013/SRI%20LANKAI/26Sep/Page.html">All Photos of the Day</a> </span></span></div>
Janice Hatthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04385023199723914351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4940678925706048658.post-85648187441598030242013-09-10T07:11:00.001-07:002022-04-10T13:59:02.976-07:00Friday 27 September - Nuwara Eliya<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">This morning 4 of us were up very early for a 6am departure to the Horton Plains National Park. Maria-Angelica decided to skip this hike, so got to sleep in a bit. Apparently she and Ramesh walked into town and looked around the markets. The rest of us were transported in a sturdier van by another great driver, Raja.<br />The road is long and rough, but we enjoyed vistas of fields and forests, even encountering a wild water buffalo along the road both coming and going. We also saw a couple of Sambas and later about 5 of them. They're quite elk-like. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><br />The hiking trail is quite rough and we were happy to turn back after 2.5km at the Mini World's End site.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><br />The scenery is spectacular and Nuwan and Raja pointed out flowers, birds and even a speckled trout. On the way back we met a class of grade 11 students who "mistook" Larry for a movie star and demanded to have a picture taken with him (really!).</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><br />Back at the hotel we reconnected with Maria-Angelica and enjoyed another huge lunch.<br />We all welcomed a bit of rest before getting dolled up to go to the Hill Club for High Tea. The club is an interesting private club with a long history. Tea was very nice -- sandwiches, cheese and crackers, cake and cookies -- but not like what we remember from the Lord Nelson in Cape Town. It was certainly enough to convince Larry, Cathy and me that we did not need dinner. <a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/bQgMxckDiTfEyLdeA"> All Photos of the Day</a> </span></span></div>
Janice Hatthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04385023199723914351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4940678925706048658.post-47397108191214912952013-09-09T06:57:00.000-07:002014-05-03T10:13:56.358-07:00Saturday 28 September - Nuwara Eliya to Galle<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">After an early night last night we were up bright and early for breakfast on the patio. There's a big golf tournament at the course right beside the hotel</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSN0a3W8Xr-Wl8E5tZ4YEC9Yv69Xu1K1u2rTEAxE4oRY1cAV59-w8Fl_pfmaWael0NzmMAeOz9TAnZAxmjBQw-6aCmYK1VEN446Kg_T2oKZUhiM1_-1pnhCwY1c28M6mPe23p7cKBqFdch/s1600/IMG_5423s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSN0a3W8Xr-Wl8E5tZ4YEC9Yv69Xu1K1u2rTEAxE4oRY1cAV59-w8Fl_pfmaWael0NzmMAeOz9TAnZAxmjBQw-6aCmYK1VEN446Kg_T2oKZUhiM1_-1pnhCwY1c28M6mPe23p7cKBqFdch/s320/IMG_5423s.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">, so lots of golfers at breakfast and there is a large group of Jains [ </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jainism">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jainism</a> ]</span></span> <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">at the hotel on a pilgrimage to this area. They have separate buffet that we can use as long as we don't carry other food into the room on our plates. They don't use any roots in their food, so I can happily eat there, knowing it's all garlic-free.</span></span> <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There are about 200 of them and they were checking out at the same time as we were. [ no problem -- I was intercepted by a hotel agent and led to the side for immediate personal checkout service, leaving a trail of colourful Jains in my wake: L ]. The front area of the hotel teemed with people, busses, suitcases, porters and other staff. We lost track of our luggage for awhile, but it turned out that the porters had it carefully sequestered. From then on one of us stayed with the cart until Ramesh managed to bring the van near enough to load it.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On our way the tea-pickers were out in the fields as we passed, so we stopped and watched them for a bit and shot some pictures.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioksujOni0VlTxEjfkw9sMIFpj1UHMZCQovXIb7PyqhrcRTdKg7deTTuFlhEoZIUlNOXzKpiCZH0SSlVIawZpTQPyRhJO6TF61fcUhNtJm7se0UI8akvz9_cH99jPr5TKcBq7WNv6VKnGE/s1600/IMG_0945s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioksujOni0VlTxEjfkw9sMIFpj1UHMZCQovXIb7PyqhrcRTdKg7deTTuFlhEoZIUlNOXzKpiCZH0SSlVIawZpTQPyRhJO6TF61fcUhNtJm7se0UI8akvz9_cH99jPr5TKcBq7WNv6VKnGE/s320/IMG_0945s.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As we drove down the mountain, we passed a young man with a large bunch of flowers for sale. The road was a series of switchbacks and on each straight stretch there he was again! He was running downhill, intercepting us. Finally, we stopped and bought several and took his photo.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A little further along we stopped at a stand where Nuwan and Ramesh bought avocados for their families.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For miles along the edge of this highway narrow beds of canna lilies have been planted, and occasionally a stretch of neatly trimed hedges.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A stop for tea was welcome break from the back and forth motion of the vehicle. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The movie "Bridge on the River Kwai" was filmed in this area, and our lunch was served beside the river that stood in for the Kwai.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-C1lICJOcGxAOJAnYzYAAjwXoAMDBQ3C3wibPWPAhGHjydq2EEpADdWdooI4NdNlSMUYEa-wwHDP_ttsTgYpZI3aJvttdyXejsmm0PiMHX6yK8s6fVZLfM4lPHMfEJyRTML3guTOEDQsH/s1600/IMG_5437s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-C1lICJOcGxAOJAnYzYAAjwXoAMDBQ3C3wibPWPAhGHjydq2EEpADdWdooI4NdNlSMUYEa-wwHDP_ttsTgYpZI3aJvttdyXejsmm0PiMHX6yK8s6fVZLfM4lPHMfEJyRTML3guTOEDQsH/s320/IMG_5437s.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Most of us chose grilled sandwiches and french fries with ketchup and ice cream to follow. We had all been craving more familiar flavours I guess.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The road soon leveled out although it continued to be quite twisty.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We stopped for a few moments in Nuwan's hometown so he could drop off some things and pick up others, so we met his beautiful wife and 2 very sweet daughters.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsuLh6syRT9OOPAiVsngXnMMxvptyu26aXntOFvO0hwNfgKNkYZJT-6bsOzODbTY-X4tIL6y11_8mN-zP8XOQ0VMHZBkeQSO1csdtuDyZ60HJ495gRMWbwpTIWuVKaN9r5vjNT63ZYGDdq/s1600/IMG_5439s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsuLh6syRT9OOPAiVsngXnMMxvptyu26aXntOFvO0hwNfgKNkYZJT-6bsOzODbTY-X4tIL6y11_8mN-zP8XOQ0VMHZBkeQSO1csdtuDyZ60HJ495gRMWbwpTIWuVKaN9r5vjNT63ZYGDdq/s320/IMG_5439s.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Shortly after, we were on the straight and smooth divided highway heading straight to Galle. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We arived at the wonderful Jetwing Lighthouse Hotel just before sunset and enjoyed a welcome drink on the terrace overlooking the Indian Ocean.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Every hotel here has been different and this one is as well. Our room has a private balcony facing the ocean, a huge bathroom area, king sized bed etc etc [ and good internet despite the apologies about it from the staff ]. I could really settle in here! We will be here for 2 nights.</span></span><br />
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Janice Hatthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04385023199723914351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4940678925706048658.post-8568567208494936092013-09-08T20:40:00.001-07:002022-04-10T13:59:33.503-07:00Sunday 29 September - Galle<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><span style="font-size: large;">Last night there was entertainment</span></span> <span style="font-size: large;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">in one of the bars - the winner of last year's Australia's Got Talent - so we went for a while. It was a very 'club' atmosphere so we lasted for only a couple of songs, but he is a good singer.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">This morning we all sort of groaned at the idea of another tea plantation, but what a surprise we had! This was the home of a white tea that has taken the world by storm (who knew? ). We met the owner, Herman Gunaratne who told us his story: </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"> Three generations ago this was a prosperous 2200 acre plantation of tea, rubber and cinnamon. The government nationalized much of the tea production and seized 1000 acres. Then his grandfather lost another 1000 acres gambling. With this much-reduced plantation Herman was looking for a way to improve his fortune. Through a series of events he figured out how to grow and process a very high quality of white tea, which was discovered by the prestigious Mariage Frieres in Paris and the rest is history. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">He's a great story teller and he served us tea at his home, </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">then took us to the store, where we sampled about 30 or 40 types of tea.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Larry and I both liked Sapphire Bolong and others liked other flavours.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">The white tea is very expensive and none of us bought it.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">We also picked up a copy of his latest book: The Suicide Club and had them autographed.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">On the way to the main road, we passed a shrine where Buddhist Sunday School was just letting out. </span><span face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">The children, of whom their priest must have been at least 100, were dressed in white, as were most of the adults. this tradition started to counter British Christian Sunday School in colonial times.<br />The next stop was a large museum of local artifacts showing Sri Lankan history back several thousand years. The grounds also house the home of Martin Wickramasinghe, a famous author whose ideas still inform discussion here, nearly 40 years after his death.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><br />After a stop at a wine shop, we came back to the hotel for a "hall party" lunch. Cathy and Sally-Jo headed to the spa and the rest of us to the pool; then we all relaxed until dinner.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">Maria-Angelica is the latest victim of the cold that Nuwan, Cathy and Larry had earlier. For them it lasted only a day or two, so we hope it's the same for her.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">All <a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/qCCsaEL6NifCD4HZ6">Photos of the Day</a> </span></span><br />
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Janice Hatthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04385023199723914351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4940678925706048658.post-43534663392540290482013-09-07T21:21:00.001-07:002022-04-10T14:00:31.910-07:00Monday 30 September - Colombo<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Happy Birthday Sally-Jo!! Thanks for including us in your celebration. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">We enjoyed the amenities and ambiance of the hotel for the morning and at lunch. Sally-Jo was presented with a birthday cake and Nuwan gave her one of the books by the author whose home and museum we had visited. When we got into the van, we found that Ramesh had written "Happy B'day Sally" on the back of one seat and Nuwan made sure that Sal sat facing it. Ramesh gave her one of the little note books made from recycled elephant dung. Now we all want them!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">On the way through Galle we drove through the fort and climbed onto the ramparts for photos.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Cathy had an amusing encounter with a persistent vendor woman and struck an excellent bargain. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">We took the expressway north and then made our way into and through Colombo at rush hour. It's a city of 800,000 with 1 million people commuting into the city each day to work.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">The hotel is much bigger than the others we have stayed in and has more security. The rooms are smaller but are very well planned and comfortable.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Nuwan and Ramesh were home with their families for the night, so the five of us dined alone. I was very well cared for with custom-made garlic-free hamburger and fries. The others all envied me, though the buffet was excellent.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Maria-Angelica still has "the cold" so she went to bed early, but the rest of us were not far behind. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/ZV3box8N39w6XbW66">All Photos of the Day</a> </span></span><br />
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Janice Hatthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04385023199723914351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4940678925706048658.post-51784258740834532222013-09-06T09:40:00.000-07:002014-05-03T10:13:15.601-07:00Tuesday 01 October - Columbo<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">We were privileged this morning to visit the home of architect Geoffrey Bawa. It was beautiful and fascinating, and is a museum to his work. He designed many wonderful buildings including the Jetwing Lighthouse hotel we stayed in for a couple of nights in Galle and loved.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Our next stop was a park area near the Parliament buildings where Sally-Jo played with some kids and some of us ate ice cream. We enjoyed watching the tropical fish in a grand circular outdoor aquarium and the people enjoying the place.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Our last stop for the day was the Girl Guide Headquarters. where we met several wonderful Guiders and Commissioners. They were gathering for the enrollment of their very first butterflies. ( the equivalent of our Sparks ). I felt right at home chattering with them and we all enjoyed meeting them and seeing the first little girls arriving for the ceremony.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Back at the hotel we had a "hall party" lunch [ fueled by a strategic grocery/wine stop ] that lasted until very late in the afternoon.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Then dinner and farewells to Sally-Jo who was leaving at 11 for her trip back to Toronto. The rest of us are up at 5:30am for our few days in Dubai.</span></span><br />
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Janice Hatthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04385023199723914351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4940678925706048658.post-6939125307930148122013-09-05T05:44:00.002-07:002022-04-10T14:02:30.731-07:00Wednesday 02 October - Colombo to Dubai<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: large;">The hotel forgot our wake-up calls</span></span> <span style="font-size: large;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">but luckily Cathy was awake and called the rest of us. Then Nuwan arrived and asked if we'd been called so eventually we were called and picked up breakfast bags in the lobby.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">The trip to the airport through early morning streets was quick and easy. Then it was time to say good bye to Nuwan and Romesh. Nuwan hopes to come to visit us in Canada next spring. That would be great.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">We saw lots of security around the airport, including soldiers with large guns. Once inside, it was clean and fairly peaceful until we got to the departure lounge where really irritating TV was playing with no-one watching.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">The famous arab hospitality is certainly not in evidence at the Dubai Airport! We were met with disdain and indifference. Larry and I stood in line at immigration for about 45 minutes because the official processing that line was too busy gossiping with his buddy in the next booth to bother paying any attention to his clients. Meanwhile Cathy had been misdirected as well. Eventually we all got through and got our luggage and managed to connect with the driver for the transfer to the hotel.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">The city is certainly interesting. Our hotel is beyond the city at the sea shore and is very nice. The reception staff wanted to deal with Larry, not any of the women--awkward, since Cathy had the documents.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">It was a "hall party" supper, and then Larry and I walked around the grounds. We so tired we ended up falling asleep around 8:30. <a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/s6XYfMWWWAYkyi8t8"> All Photos of the Day</a></span></span></div>
Janice Hatthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04385023199723914351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4940678925706048658.post-31748309678021112052013-09-04T05:59:00.001-07:002022-04-10T14:02:50.757-07:00Thursday 03 October - Dubai<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Up early of course for the start of our big tour day. We had a note from Sally Jo that she was safely home.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">The morning tour was on a bus with 21 other people, Germans and other English speakers. We had a really good guide named Moe from Tunisia who gave us excellent explanations of, and insights into what we were seeing.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">The drive from this hotel into the city is long, and we picked up another couple at a hotel near the Burj Al Arab Hotel. Since we were early we stopped for photos of the Burj. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoumpAQY0Ya9RZL80ocRvETrMyvEjz2xMI2V0I8G06Sr9VmbQNCQ5G5uyjIgDZC55DbkJUZyB7WTSJbKSCveZYozs8pBJOvzTz9EM3l5yhNXwfJZZm50kx70XMS6BCcB9kfMgr3GLVcYJb/s1600/IMG_5596s.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoumpAQY0Ya9RZL80ocRvETrMyvEjz2xMI2V0I8G06Sr9VmbQNCQ5G5uyjIgDZC55DbkJUZyB7WTSJbKSCveZYozs8pBJOvzTz9EM3l5yhNXwfJZZm50kx70XMS6BCcB9kfMgr3GLVcYJb/s320/IMG_5596s.jpg" width="240" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">The Jumeirah Mosque is spectacular, though we did not have time to go inside.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Moe explained that although this is a Muslim country, all other religions are welcome, and there are churches, temples and synagogues.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">We walked through Old Dubai, the original settlement by "The Creek" (really a sea inlet).</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">The Al Fahidi Fort Museum was fascinating, with many dioramas tracing Dubai's history.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">We took a water taxi and visited both the Spice Souk and the Gold Souk. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Cathy had some success at the Gold Souk</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Then we joined our afternoon guide and driver for a private tour. We opted for a modern souk, where we had a great pub lunch, </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">and then on to the huge and beautiful Emirates Mall. We wandered, enjoying the high end stores and wide variety of people shopping and hanging out. Then we reached the "Ski Dubai" where we watched a few skiers, kids on sleds and a penguin show.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYJzjuB3jFgjfZAnA2sVzts8ksGfmJ5xcBBN4ChwKzeIsjcnrjPdrVjXbf6wDVeE5Efb9o2YhA8JnIBUgCHsuwNFUSI-Uu8-xttZjRjs0pcmhFe1zZp9UrJw9Kvv987KnC6MTdEScKIjzT/s1600/IMG_1171s.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYJzjuB3jFgjfZAnA2sVzts8ksGfmJ5xcBBN4ChwKzeIsjcnrjPdrVjXbf6wDVeE5Efb9o2YhA8JnIBUgCHsuwNFUSI-Uu8-xttZjRjs0pcmhFe1zZp9UrJw9Kvv987KnC6MTdEScKIjzT/s320/IMG_1171s.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Back out in the heat and humidity we were ready to return to our hotel for a swim. Maria Angelica's leg was sore after the long day so she went to her room right after the swim while Cathy, Larry and I stayed near the pool and had a couple of drinks. Our room was very warm and humid so we called for A/C repairs. They were quick and effective. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/s6XYfMWWWAYkyi8t8">All Photos of the Day </a></span></span></div>
Janice Hatthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04385023199723914351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4940678925706048658.post-64890684687977916032013-09-03T22:09:00.001-07:002022-04-10T14:03:32.559-07:00Friday 04 October - Dubai<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: large;">We all decided to take it easy, so had a late breakfast before we claimed beach chairs. Happily Maria Angelica's leg was better so she enjoyed lounging and swimming.</span></span><br />
<span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: large;">Larry rented a sailboat for an hour </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJEZvBXsFo67bw2eF4wr5UIwW-QoMEg83lXg9lDeOce3r7iqmuCSNKSuPOXoIp7RbT_fn_xIJJld39awcKTO0vLKmerzOwLWAuLuFAey5MLEyDgzsOKxX-JBuBglT7_KXizQFFkqkMfoJ3/s1600/IMG_5687s.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJEZvBXsFo67bw2eF4wr5UIwW-QoMEg83lXg9lDeOce3r7iqmuCSNKSuPOXoIp7RbT_fn_xIJJld39awcKTO0vLKmerzOwLWAuLuFAey5MLEyDgzsOKxX-JBuBglT7_KXizQFFkqkMfoJ3/s320/IMG_5687s.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: large;">and we all watched from the beach as he had a close encounter with a landing sea-plane ( I was too startled by it to get a photo), and sailed all over the cove area [to the right of the Palm Jebel Ali under construction]<a href="https://www.google.ca/maps/preview?authuser=0#!q=palm+jebel+ali&data=!4m15!2m14!1m13!1s0x3e5f10edb6ffe7c9%3A0xa1027b5240dec39a!3m8!1m3!1d17410196!2d-97.15369!3d49.891235!3m2!1i1366!2i635!4f13.1!4m2!3d24.9984272!4d54.9928533"> Palm Jebel Ali, UAE</a></span></span><br />
<span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: large;">Cathy went off for a massage in the early afternoon and eventually we all abandoned the beach for our cool rooms.</span></span><br />
<span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: large;">Dinner was at the hotel's Italian restaurant with a nice cocktail hour at the pool-side bar. <a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/M9NXqachtKZoTXU48"> All Photos of the Day</a></span></span></div>
Janice Hatthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04385023199723914351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4940678925706048658.post-25417152813725127822013-09-02T10:08:00.001-07:002022-04-10T14:04:11.408-07:00Saturday 5 October - Dubai<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-size: large;">A leisurely morning and early afternoon with some beach time.</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF3qE8FySwj8fF50UqU5dy1QY8TpgtvTgcSbWKqjtvsnyJiRCFSYlB2JnbiI4ikWXN_hslJgX3QSYHTgdlmcoFwkuO-rNFMqc6DQytsVuAtGHMV_Claot56J5b7qg-nAa28Bbix-0_HGsI/s1600/IMG_1207s.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF3qE8FySwj8fF50UqU5dy1QY8TpgtvTgcSbWKqjtvsnyJiRCFSYlB2JnbiI4ikWXN_hslJgX3QSYHTgdlmcoFwkuO-rNFMqc6DQytsVuAtGHMV_Claot56J5b7qg-nAa28Bbix-0_HGsI/s320/IMG_1207s.jpg" width="320" /></a><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-size: large;">At 3:45 we were picked up by Latif in a 4X4 vehicle and presented with waiver forms - we were off on an adventure "not recommended for those over 65 years of age". We drove about 70km to the desert reserve area where we joined a convoy of around 40 or 50 similar vehicles. A little way inside the gates we were dropped off to walk into a large amphitheatre to watch a brief falconry demo. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigfQUl3V-mmiCwPN9i6js-zgfJZ6OS4Uihx8eGUnGvwMpZs3M5LdfXLCr7nYU2LF-ygH08nwRk6Eu5RkVngAHj5Zg6ldzWo7FCXo-zRGMt2V5pUaQYiJ6470cdiXgafWw8ekCdo7lxN_Kq/s1600/IMG_1192s.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigfQUl3V-mmiCwPN9i6js-zgfJZ6OS4Uihx8eGUnGvwMpZs3M5LdfXLCr7nYU2LF-ygH08nwRk6Eu5RkVngAHj5Zg6ldzWo7FCXo-zRGMt2V5pUaQYiJ6470cdiXgafWw8ekCdo7lxN_Kq/s320/IMG_1192s.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-size: large;">Afterward we were back in the jeep for a <u>VERY </u></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">exciting ride through the dunes. It was like a roller coaster, feeling as if we might roll at any moment. Quite a lot of laughter and shrieking. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoEgXX41bxNUKTjKLZRe6e3V-aC5psfG6TjiwXrmxm4B49jWRC251AblpjbAP2ZXRNf2jXHwDAUkkspswiVgW6oWbmzv9zS894V2hiBq8JIiqhRKWSjhzoYhZDkgNUwkq7CKByyw4HUOuZ/s1600/IMG_1203s.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoEgXX41bxNUKTjKLZRe6e3V-aC5psfG6TjiwXrmxm4B49jWRC251AblpjbAP2ZXRNf2jXHwDAUkkspswiVgW6oWbmzv9zS894V2hiBq8JIiqhRKWSjhzoYhZDkgNUwkq7CKByyw4HUOuZ/s320/IMG_1203s.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="http://youtu.be/VwreAtHezpk">Youtube Video of the Ride</a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">As sunset neared, we parked to watch the sun go down. Larry and I climbed a nearby dune for a better view. It was spectacular.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXLGNJ_CpXEFDt6fVst-yOHfqSvK2ac-OFs_kAvqXxZlD2Yoru4knOOpjgd4ocWWXRIdvqLDPTRxzN2UOXJ8au6g0JmV9PSduNvwv-u3Fhi98yIqdWnRLSvgLGMTVmh9g4L2NWeWiKUV5q/s1600/IMG_5757s.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXLGNJ_CpXEFDt6fVst-yOHfqSvK2ac-OFs_kAvqXxZlD2Yoru4knOOpjgd4ocWWXRIdvqLDPTRxzN2UOXJ8au6g0JmV9PSduNvwv-u3Fhi98yIqdWnRLSvgLGMTVmh9g4L2NWeWiKUV5q/s320/IMG_5757s.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">After a few more minutes of dune riding we arrived at the "Bedouin camp". There were many camels and their handlers outside, and inside were tents, carpets and low tables.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRx_giHA7ga_pvz-iXCKQsbwHVa-2KeibIh9GgMfg-5R01nfJEEj-D3PM9xfOreizNc9EI-eifsGErJSsnb1wECF3PhQviTBsRDiQkJW1Dd-wobdVBZYUanyGMDt5ALymsTCaS_Z9RC1QT/s1600/IMG_1229s.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRx_giHA7ga_pvz-iXCKQsbwHVa-2KeibIh9GgMfg-5R01nfJEEj-D3PM9xfOreizNc9EI-eifsGErJSsnb1wECF3PhQviTBsRDiQkJW1Dd-wobdVBZYUanyGMDt5ALymsTCaS_Z9RC1QT/s320/IMG_1229s.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Latif found us a table with a good view and suggested we get henna patterns before it got too busy. Cathy went first, then I made my way to the area to have a lovely pattern put on my arm </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA1SVf-Z1z1p07n-DYA2kjxelasV2Mz4ujHMo7cMCyCoQogzx2J-uOtMl2yxqvV_xYlTddVxKI_sArgCq7RPKTQ8KVzqro2o7sur1qXmfJnuGDq48Koip_rrTSIGQgFftlWn-uG7r3vs6H/s1600/IMG_1234s.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA1SVf-Z1z1p07n-DYA2kjxelasV2Mz4ujHMo7cMCyCoQogzx2J-uOtMl2yxqvV_xYlTddVxKI_sArgCq7RPKTQ8KVzqro2o7sur1qXmfJnuGDq48Koip_rrTSIGQgFftlWn-uG7r3vs6H/s320/IMG_1234s.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">and then Maria Angelica had a scorpion done on the inside of her wrist.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">After getting delicious appetizers, I decided to go ride a camel. Far more comfortable than the elephant ride in India!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">But a bit like kids pony rides at fairs.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP69s6nQJzq_hu-_6e8yfQwvHE_bHUO_xSkA9dPx1N_gISk80sh3JC4yvZWCuGV8TAgHWurhJ6NfNOr3MnF_JAqk8QJ96R6VvEkuRwey2zU5rJmSfX84OdqIvbp5m7RbVE76iR9IzcKTz-/s1600/IMG_5767s.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP69s6nQJzq_hu-_6e8yfQwvHE_bHUO_xSkA9dPx1N_gISk80sh3JC4yvZWCuGV8TAgHWurhJ6NfNOr3MnF_JAqk8QJ96R6VvEkuRwey2zU5rJmSfX84OdqIvbp5m7RbVE76iR9IzcKTz-/s320/IMG_5767s.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">The main course was very good too, and I managed to avoid garlic.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">After that a belly dancer (from Rio de Janeiro ) entertained for about 20 minutes. Such energy!!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">I picked up one of the photos from the camel ride and brought a bowl of baklava back for the table.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">The last event was a killing of all the lights and request for silence so we could all enjoy the view of the stars overhead. They were very clear and lovely. Of course a bunch of drunks had to make a big racket to ruin the moment, but there are some in any crowd. [may be due to the open bar and lack of restraint].</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Then a much more placid drive back to the gate where the tires had to be re inflated, then back to the hotel by highway.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">A wonderful evening. <a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/nd6vMEHiGBJ3Y7287"> All Photos of the Day</a></span></span></div>
Janice Hatthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04385023199723914351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4940678925706048658.post-5896421072602781092013-09-01T10:14:00.001-07:002022-04-10T14:04:46.623-07:00Sunday 6 October - Dubai<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">The shuttle bus picked us up at 10am to go to the Dubai Mall. One of the attractions of the trip was that it stopped at the Atlantis Hotel Resort on the Jumeirah Palm. Its an interesting area, with "fronds" instead of streets. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">The mall is vast, with over 1000 stores, an aquarium, water fall and an ice rink.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">We window shopped and ate Cold Stone Creamery ice cream and Burger King burgers and fries, then caught the shuttle back to the hotel. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">There followed a frenzy of packing, weighing and so on, preparatory to the nearly 14 hour flight home tomorrow.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Then we went for one last swim in the Arabian Sea, had a last drink in the pavilion by the beach and a last "hall party" supper before turning in. <a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/nX5Vtgw2jTbRmsTM6"> All Photos of the Day</a></span></span></div>
Janice Hatthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04385023199723914351noreply@blogger.com0