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Tagged With "Sri Lanka"

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Re: Top 10 Most Beautiful Gardens In The World

Professorabe ·
Any such list would be contentious, of course. However, this one doesn't contain a single garden in Africa and this, in my opinion, is a serious omission. The Majorelle Garden in Marrakesh and the Kirstenbosch Gardens in Cape Town would be obvious contenders. There are also many more fantastic gardens in Asia - e.g. the Royal Botanical Gardens at Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.
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Re: Where in the World is Gumbo? 21.0

DrFumblefinger ·
The mystery and waiting are over. The puzzle has been solved by PortMoresby. Here is her answer: " Tangalla Bay Hotel, Tangalle, Sri Lanka." I'll post the discussion for this on Tuesday. Another travel puzzle will be up very soon.
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Re: Sri Lanka: A Land Like No Other (Part 1a) Colombo

Mac ·
Ah Galle Face Green! Many a delightful stroll taken with my folks on a Sunday afternoon in the 1960s, then home for tea at 42 Galle Face Court, the flats opposite the hotel. Ah sweet memories Ouch that seems a long time ago.....
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Re: Sri Lanka: A Land Like No Other (Part 1a) Colombo

Travel Rob ·
DrFumblefinger your photos are amazing. I can see why you love the country so much.
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Re: Sri Lanka: A Land Like No Other (Part 1a) Colombo

DrFumblefinger ·
Originally Posted by Mac: Ah Galle Face Green! Many a delightful stroll taken with my folks on a Sunday afternoon in the 1960s, then home for tea at 42 Galle Face Court, the flats opposite the hotel. Ah sweet memories Ouch that seems a long time ago..... I was told the Galle Face Green was actually green until the pope showed up and a massive crowd destroyed the grass. After that it became the Galle Face Brown. The green is slowly trying to make a comeback, though. I actually visited someone...
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Re: Sri Lanka: A Land Like No Other. (Part 5) The Elephants of Pinnawala

Theodore Behr ·
These elephants are great. Would be a good movie location, what with the jungle and elephants and stuff!
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Re: Sri Lanka: A Land Like No Other. (Part 5) The Elephants of Pinnawala

PortMoresby ·
I'm becoming more intrigued by the day. On the practical side of things, specifically how to get there, what's your usual route, DrF, or is there a best way. From the US west coast. I'm thinking about using miles and I haven't found a cheap way yet for an onward flight from, say, BKK or HKG to Colombo. India is the obvious closest but costs more miles to get to than BKK. Any ideas? AA miles if have any experience with that alliance.
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Re: Sri Lanka: A Land Like No Other. (Part 5) The Elephants of Pinnawala

DrFumblefinger ·
Thanks, PortMoresby! And we've not even been to the sacred tooth relic in Kandy, the medieval ruins of Polonnaruwa, the beautiful hill country filled with tea plantations and "The World's End", a wildlife safari at Yala National Park, nor any of the nice beaches (but keep reading -- reports on these are coming). Sri Lanka is a great destination, especially now that the civil war is over. I was doubly lucky to not only be able to visit a dear friend there but to have time to leisurely explore...
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Re: Sri Lanka: A Land Like No Other. (Part 5) The Elephants of Pinnawala

PortMoresby ·
Lots to consider. I can't go through Thailand without hanging out a few weeks so the 2 ticket plan may suit me better. I see Cathay Pacific also flies to Colombo, connecting in HKG. Will have to do more research to see if any of the low fare Asian airlines can facilitate a plan. What season is your favorite there? Is there an off-season when there are bargains to be had?
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Re: Sri Lanka: A Land Like No Other. (Part 5) The Elephants of Pinnawala

DrFumblefinger ·
Sri Lanka is almost on the equator so it has minimal seasonal variability in temperature or length of day and night. There is a monsoon season, but that generally translated to an hour or two of rain, often after dark, so don't let this worry you. I don't think there's a bad season. Imagine "high season" coincides with vacations in Europe as most travelers there are from Europe so would avoid the summer months especially.
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Re: Sri Lanka: A Land Like No Other. (Part 5) The Elephants of Pinnawala

PortMoresby ·
Thanks again, good DrF.
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, Dec. 30, 2013: Monk on a Ladder, Sri Lanka

Former Member ·
His body language tells me that he knows his stuff. Thanks, Dr F, for this universal slice of life moment.
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, Dec. 30, 2013: Monk on a Ladder, Sri Lanka

PortMoresby ·
It proves one of life's great truths, one I've thoroughly tested myself all over the world, that anything can be done in flip flops.
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Re: When Debit and Credit Cards aren't your best traveling choices

DrFumblefinger ·
When you go to Sri Lanka, take cash along as well. The larger establishments will definitely take credit cards, but smaller business and restaurants won't. And ATM cards have been slow to find their way into the country, especially in remote locations. The currency there is more stable, but still you won't get the kind of spread we did in Argentina. Best to exchange it at a bank, or ask your hotel people how many US $$ things are.
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, September 14, 2015. Hans Monheimus

GarryRF ·
During our lives we will meet 5 or 6 people who leave us with an impression of just having met a great man. Sounds like Hans' was one of your handful of heroes. We try to understand what makes him so outstanding. Then in our own way we try to copy some of his finest attributes. And hopefully we are a better person for it.
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Re: Udawalawe National Park, Sri Lanka

George G. ·
Fantastic bird photography Professor and those crocodiles look like they aren't missing any meals lately. If I compute correctly, 1000 rupees is equivalent to $6.43 or 4.66 British pounds. Seems the Sri Lanka currency has weakened quite a bit since 2014, so maybe a good time to get a value vacation there.
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Re: Udawalawe National Park, Sri Lanka

Professorabe ·
Sorry about the delay in responding - I have been on an Indian train for what seems like eternity! Yes, George, Sri Lanka is a good-value destination and it is changing fast. So now is a good time to go. As to Udawalawe vs. Yala, we prefer the former. Yala seems to be the one which everyone knows about, but we were a bit disappointed when we went (admittedly a long time ago).
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Re: HOW YOU CAN SAVE THE ASIAN ELEPHANT

DrFumblefinger ·
Thanks for sharing these thoughts. Elephants are highly intelligent animals, probably smarter than dogs for example. Wild elephants in Asia are having a hard time because of loss of habitat and conversion of their normal range to agricultural land. Most do not have ivory tusks so unlike their African cousins, they are not slaughtered for their teeth. In Sri Lanka I visited the elephant orphanage in Pinnawala a number of times, which I've previously written about on TravelGumbo at this link .
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, December 22, 2014: Mr. Kuttan

DrFumblefinger ·
Originally Posted by PortMoresby: I've just finished a short book by Alan Bennett, 'The Uncommon Reader', about another notable personage whose job it is to make everyone feel comfortable and welcome in their presence. Seeing Mr. Kuttan's serene face, it makes me wonder what his private thoughts might have been all those years. And if he'd written them down and had them tucked away somewhere, to be revealed at a later date. I suspect not, under the circumstances, but wouldn't it be...
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, May 2, 2014: The Viceroy's Lodge in Shimla, India

DrFumblefinger ·
Fascinating building, Mac! I was completely unaware of it. The story reminds me somewhat of Nuwara Eliya in Sri Lanka -- another cool mountain retreat the British loved.
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, May 3, 2014: Metropole Hotel, Hanoi

DrFumblefinger ·
I too am a fan of Colonial era hotels. The only ones I've ever stayed at were in Sri Lanka where, at the time, they weren't much more than a night at a Howard Johnson's. When you make your way to Sri Lanka, PortMoresby, check out some that island has to offer. You might be pleasantly surprised. Sri Lankan people I interacted with actually were quite grateful overall for the contributions the British made to their island -- tea plantations, roads, railroads, and government. And, of course,...
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, May 3, 2014: Metropole Hotel, Hanoi

GarryRF ·
22 April 2014. A British woman has been arrested and is facing deportation in Sri Lanka over a Buddha tattoo on her arm. Naomi Michelle Coleman, 37, was taken into custody at the airport in Colombo, after she arrived from India. Ms Coleman, who has a tattoo of a Buddha seated on a lotus flower on her right arm, was arrested for ‘hurting others' religious feelings,’ a police spokesman said. Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/new...n.html#ixzz30hahG27Y Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter |...
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Re: Get Gumbo's Daily E-mail Update!

DrFumblefinger ·
Just a sample for folks to see what the daily newsletter looks like: TravelGumbo Today: April 26, 2014 Quaint English customs: a scarecrow exhibition In a Cotswold village, Mac spent a pleasant day finding the 30+ scarecrows of all types hidden up and down the town's steep slopes.. Gumbo's Picture of the Day: Burma: Into the Storm A small boat in an approaching storm, trying to reach home, from PortMoresby's round-the-world trip.. New Hint! Where in the World is TravelGumbo (#34) We've added...
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Re: The Historic Fort and Town of Galle, Sri Lanka

DrFumblefinger ·
It's a great photoessay of a special place, Travellinn, thanks for sharing these wonderful photos with us. I generally just traveled through Galle, never stopping much except perhaps to look around for an hour or get something to eat. The fort is very impressive, a massive structure of rock and coral. The last time I visited Galle was just after the great tsunami of 2004. The town was one of the most damaged by that tragedy as several massive waves washed through it. Hundreds were killed or...
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Re: The Historic Fort and Town of Galle, Sri Lanka

GarryRF ·
How did you discover Galle ? Did you read of its existence prior to your travels ? Or merely stumble upon it and get the urge to explore further. It appears to be untouched by tourism - or is it on the tourist itinerary ? After all these invaders what language do they speak now ? Good collection of photos - gives a real taste of this town.
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Re: The Historic Fort and Town of Galle, Sri Lanka

Travellinn ·
DrFumblefinger, then you should absolutely spend some time in Galle next time you visit Sri Lanka! GarryRF, the plan was originally to go to Unawatuna (30 min away) staying there and doing a day trip to Galle. But after doing a little bit research online, we found out that Unawatuna would not fit us, and ended up doing the opposite. On our daytrip to Unawatuna we certainly got confirmed that staying in Galle was a much better option. See my thought about that on...
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Re: Outdated Information, Print & Online

DrFumblefinger ·
This is problematic, especially when it comes to accommodations and restaurants in my experience, because ownership and management changes and closures are far from rare in the travel industry. A lot of guide book publishers have on line sites which provides updates to the guidebook. But that takes lots of effort and this is a real downside of printed media -- its short half life. Glad to hear you're looking at Sri Lanka! It's a wonderful destination.
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Re: Stinking fruit cuts flight short

Professorabe ·
I don't think that devotees would ever describe durian as smelling of vomit or sewage. I count myself amongst them and would describe the taste as resembling custard with a hint of onion, maybe. There are, however, numerous different types of durian - each with a different aroma, which also depends crucially on the degree of ripeness. I shall be hunting round the vegetable stores in South-Western Sri Lanka in December. Unfortunately, it is not the season, but they grow a particularly early...
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Re: Tough Trains

DrFumblefinger ·
You might find yourself the only pale-skinned person in one of the trains to remote towns in Sri Lanka or India. Trains between Colombo and Kandy will be well-touristed. But trains running into the hills much less so so far as Sri Lanka goes. While you would blend in with the locals, I would imagine the same is true of the UK. Train travel between smaller towns, especially in the north, would have few tourists.
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JasonNorth

JasonNorth
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Azoor

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Re: Sri Lanka: A Land Like No Other (Part 1b). Visiting Sir Arthur C. Clarke

TravelandNature ·
Dr. F - A wonderful tribute to a man, a place, and a friendship. The sense of fun and of respect clearly rings from your writing. Thank you for sharing this.
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Re: Sri Lanka: A Land Like No Other (Part 1b). Visiting Sir Arthur C. Clarke

DrFumblefinger ·
Thanks, TravelandNature! Arthur was a wonderfully kind and sweet man. He was probably the most intelligent person I've ever interacted with one-on-one, but always made me feel very welcome and comfortable with him. We had a nice chemistry between us that I believe we both enjoyed. He was the one who nicknamed me, "DrFumblefinger" and encouraged me to write about my adventures. So here I am now --DrFumblefinger writing about my passion for travel!
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Re: Sri Lanka: A Land Like No Other (Part 2). Dambulla

Former Member ·
This is a remarkable place but the radiantly smiling kids make even the Golden Buddha look a little shabby. Great pics.
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, March 7, 2014: The snake charmer

DrFumblefinger ·
We need to hear more about that fascinating motorcycle journey, Mac! I'm sure you've more photos and more tales to share! Anyway, I love these snake charmers. The cobras are, of course, devenomized and safe, but make an imposing sight as they rise from their baskets, their hoods extended. This pair had their eyes on a performing monkey, whom they obviously instinctively loathed.
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Re: Sri Lanka: A Land Like No Other (Part 9) Horton Plains

Former Member ·
It is hard to absorb all of this information. This truly is a land like no other. Thanks for telling us about Sri Lanka.
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Re: Sri Lanka: A Land Like No Other (Part 1b). Visiting Sir Arthur C. Clarke

Nevin ·
Hi Dr. Fumblefinter, I was wondering if you knew the location of Arthur Clarke's former residence, or perhaps his grave? I'll be visiting Colombo for work next month and I'd like to make a visit, even if just outside of the walls of the house.
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Re: Sri Lanka: A Land Like No Other (Part 1b). Visiting Sir Arthur C. Clarke

DrFumblefinger ·
Hi Nevin, Nice to hear from you and thanks for your interest in Sir Arthur. Arthur's home is at 25 Barnes Place in Colombo, which is near the popular shopping store Odels. A taxi or even tuk-tuk should be able to get you there. His former business partner and best friend, a SriLankan, still lives at this home. You won't see too much from the outside as it is a walled compound. If you contact the home and come during business hours, it is likely that someone will take you to see Arthur's...
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, Feb 24, 2014: Taprobane, Sri Lanka

PortMoresby ·
DrF, if I wanted to look for one of those inexpensive options you mention, what is the name of the area along the shore? I looked on g-maps and it was hard to tell.
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, Feb 24, 2014: Taprobane, Sri Lanka

DrFumblefinger ·
You'd want to look along the stretch extending from Hikkaduwa (southwest corner, north of Galle) all the way past Matara. But one of the loveliest beaches in the world is Unawatuna, maybe 5-10 km east of Galle. You can't go wrong staying there, PortMoresby.
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Re: Want to buy great hand-made lace? Go to Sri Lanka!

PortMoresby ·
I love the pictures, DrF, and especially the lady's dresses. There's something very dignified yet happy about them. Thanks for this lovely surprise.
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Re: Want to buy great hand-made lace? Go to Sri Lanka!

DrFumblefinger ·
Thanks PortMoresby! Gumbo is full of surprises, as we find out each week.... The women working at the lace center were very proud of their skill. Like most Sri Lankans, they're shy when you first meet them and start talking to them, but once the ice is broken you're rewarded with huge smiles and friendly conversation....and a chance to take photos like those you see in this post. The quality of the lace is excellent. I still have a number of pieces I bought here, including a large lace...
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Re: Want to buy great hand-made lace? Go to Sri Lanka!

IslandMan ·
Excellent and informative piece Dr F and love the pictures. Yes, I wouldn't have expected to find lace in Sri Lanka
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Re: Sri Lanka: A Land Like No Other (Part 11). On safari in Yala Park, with a stop in Kirinda

DrFumblefinger ·
Thanks, TravelandNature! And how about that Junglefowl. Looks like a fancy chicken but apparently a wild species.
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Re: Guinness Storehouse, Dublin, Ireland. Where Gumbo was #44

DrFumblefinger ·
A love for beverages is a personal and often acquired taste. Others share your feelings about beer. Others feel the same way about wine, hard spirits, coffee or tea. To each, their beverage of choice! I enjoy sampling whatever beverage is popular in a region. For example, when in the hills of Sri Lanka, there's nothing better than a cup of BOPF tea. In Italy, it makes sense to focus on the wine. When in Ireland, you need to try the Guinness and some of their triple distilled whiskey.
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October 18, 2017: Reclining Buddha near Karandeniya, Sri Lanka

Professorabe ·
Professor Abe shares images of a visit to a rarely visited statue of the reclining Buddha, said to be the largest in South Asia.
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The new 'Love Boat:' Pedaling down the Seine

Paul Heymont ·
A French couple with a penchant for unusual travel make their way 'on foot' from Paris to Honfleur.
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Where in the World is TravelGumbo (#236)

DrFumblefinger ·
A new travel puzzle is posted for this week. Follow for daily clues and see if you can solve where Gumbo is visiting this week.
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Where in the World is TravelGumbo (#224)

George G. ·
A new travel puzzle is posted for this week. Follow along for daily clues and see if you can solve it.
 
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