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Tagged With "Climate of Sri Lanka"

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Re: Celebrating New Year's in Sri Lanka

Professorabe ·
This year the Sri Lankan New Year's Day is on Easter Monday, 13th April - at least that is what one of my friends there tells me.
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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 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

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: 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: Swiss wine-growers look for good news in climate change

GarryRF ·
"The NASA Earth Observatory notes three particularly cold intervals: one beginning about 1650, another about 1770, and the last in 1850, each separated by intervals of slight warming" Swiss Farms and Villages were destroyed by the advancing glaciers during the mini-ice ages. 1.6C is not a great recovery in 100 years.
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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: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, May 3, 2014: Metropole Hotel, Hanoi

DrFumblefinger ·
That's an interesting link, GarryRF, because Sri Lankans tend to be pretty mellow about most things. Still, being disrespectful (or perceived as disrespectful) to Buddha is frowned on and not tolerated by the Sinhalese majority. As many know, it is considered very disrespectful to show too much skin in a Buddhist temple or shrine (no bare shoulders or legs). You won't be allowed admittance to the shrine unless you cover yourself. I believe this woman offended these customs. But this POD is...
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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

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: Florida warned: take action against future flooding

GarryRF ·
Climate change "experts" are saying that: "Antarctica’s massive stores of ice are likely to melt as the planet warms and contribute ever greater amounts of water to the world’s oceans." But the facts are: "The winter ice around the southern continent has been growing relatively constantly since records began in 1979. The US National Snow and Ice Data Centre, which monitors sea ice using satellite data, say that the year’s maximum was 1.54m sq km (595,000 sq miles) above the 1981-2010...
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Re: Florida warned: take action against future flooding

Paul Heymont ·
Garry, aside from the fact that climate change involves far more than the question of polar ice caps, we're not in huge disagreement, I think. 1. Climate change is a more accurate term than global warming, because it's not all about warming, and in some cases the change brings colder rather than warmer. 2. The effects are not the same everywhere, nor are they always immediately harmful. It is possible for one area to be threatened with inundation while another benefits from a return of...
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Re: Florida warned: take action against future flooding

GarryRF ·
Not in disagreement at all Paul. Just a mention that climate change is not all bad news. And an option to some folks that wonder where all that melted ice is going to. It's been another winter when the Jet Stream has kept the UK warm and the Eastern States frozen. So there's a lot more water to come down from the Ice Cap yet !
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Re: Florida warned: take action against future flooding

DrFumblefinger ·
The issue of what we can do about the "world's changing climate" aside, when I look at a massive stone structure like the one in the photo and realize it's sitting essentially on a sand bar (which is what most of Florida is), I'm not surprised that it might actually be slowly settling and sinking. Just like Venice is. Venice has serious problems but these are mostly due to the fact that the entire city is sinking.
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Re: Florida warned: take action against future flooding

GarryRF ·
50 years ago this area of Liverpool UK was underwater twice a day. Every tide. And storms would cause the land to flood half a mile inland. So this area is now a man made construction. Sand hills cover the solid foundation. Marrem grass has roots that bind the sand together. And it works. Copied off the Netherlands where much of the land is below sea level all year.
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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: September 20. 2019: Drying Fish, Beruwala, Sri Lanka

DrFumblefinger ·
The Sri Lankans sure know how to make some delicious curries from those dried fish, Professor -- thanks for showing how it's done, so simple really. It's surprising how the tradition lasts, even in days of good refrigeration. For example, in Alaska many of the dog team owners dry hundreds -- even thousands -- of salmon each year with which to feed their teams (and themselves) over the long cold winter. Spaniards remain fond of dried salted fish for their dishes, and I'm sure there are other...
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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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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: 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: When there are no more beaches, will we all head for the hills?

PortMoresby ·
Won't the beaches just move inland too?
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Re: When there are no more beaches, will we all head for the hills?

Paul Heymont ·
What! and spoil my headline? Seriously, though, not necessarily. The deposit of sand and similar materials is a longer process than is being discussed here, and the new shorelines would be quite different, at least for a long time.
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Re: When there are no more beaches, will we all head for the hills?

DrFumblefinger ·
I am not smart enough to know what the correct temperature or ocean level of the earth should be.
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Re: When there are no more beaches, will we all head for the hills?

PortMoresby ·
So many resorts truck in their "beaches", it may turn out to be more an excuse to build new fancier versions of themselves than the prospect of their disappearance. Where there's a will...and you know there is!
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Re: When there are no more beaches, will we all head for the hills?

GarryRF ·
When the Vikings first discovered Greenland a thousand years ago they wrote of a "Green and pleasant land with pastures, cows and animals". Now its a frozen wasteland ! In 1817 the wine producers of North Yorkshire (England) abolished their trade association as summers were becoming too cold to grow grapes. They've never grown grapes since ! This time last year we were digging the snow out. Today is 68f and sunny. Climate change doesn't go away. Ever.
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Re: When there are no more beaches, will we all head for the hills?

Paul Heymont ·
No, climate change doesn't go away...but until the last century, we lacked the ability to really push it in one direction or another. The issue these years is not the natural progression but the degree to which our emissions and more have upset the balance. On the one hand, I won't be around to see how it all comes out...but I'm concerned because my grandchildren will be!
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Re: When there are no more beaches, will we all head for the hills?

GarryRF ·
I do not believe that the burning of fossils fuels has any effect on the direction of the Jet Stream. Which in turn controls the weather around the world. I do believe that the Petro-Chemical Refineries from the New Jersey coast and further south releasing tons of nasty unwanted chemicals into the atmosphere does have a big effect on the de-forestation of Europe with acid rain. They release this gas when the wind is blowing east across the Atlantic. And when the wind suddenly changes the...
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Re: When there are no more beaches, will we all head for the hills?

Paul Heymont ·
While I certainly agree with you about the refineries (remember how close to some of them I live) the jetstream is hardly the only factor involved in weather and climate. I'm not best equipped to explain more...that's the domain of my wife the science teacher...but it's clear there's a scary future ahead...
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Re: When there are no more beaches, will we all head for the hills?

GarryRF ·
The Jet Stream is responsible for the California drought. The Polar Vortex you've been suffering from - and for the UK not having frosty weather since last November. English strawberries in Winter and de-icing salt being 15cents for a 10 kilo sack ! Its not yet April and I've cut the grass twice ! Blame it all on the Jet Stream.
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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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Florida warned: take action against future flooding

Paul Heymont ·
17th c. Castillo de San Marcos, guarding America's oldest city, may be endangered by rising waters.   With all the jokes about earthquakes in California creating ocean-front lots in Nevada, it's easy to forget that things are changing in numbers...
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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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Journey through Karnataka: Bangalore to Mysore

Professorabe ·
Professor Abe presents the first of a six-part series documenting a journey through Karnataka, India. Our journey begins in Bangalore.
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Got 15 weeks? Cunard's got a Round-the-World cruise

Paul Heymont ·
Queen Victoria will make a 107-day, 30-port, 6-continent round-the-world trip next year.
 
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