YES, WE HAVE THE TECHNOLOGY!!

NEWS FLASH..... TWO TECHNIPHOBES FIND OUT HOW TO BLOG!!!!!

Hi folks,

we are finally up & running, we will get better, we will give regular updates so that you dont have to reply to all our emails with thinly disguised interest.

STARTING POINT: SRI LANKA

Our four weeks in Sri Lanka were a great introduction to Indian culture, Mark felt at home straight away being more well travelled in this part of the world, whereas I was ridiculously excited about every wee thing that was different.
The Tear of India is of course beautiful, a postcard paradise inhabited by constantly smiling people, who are very happy to see any tourists. Unfortunately we did see paralells with 'Norn Iron' in that the country is still in the throes of civil war. It is mostly contained in the north, and most embassy's recommend not visiting, so of course we felt right at home. No wonder they are so happy to see us, we were bringing much needed money into their economy.

Our first few days & our jet lag were considerably eased by numerous G&T's (medicinal, of course, all that quinine in the tonic) in The Icebear, our first guesthouse, and a quite smart one at that.
Our first great train journey was to an ancient religious site about as far north as we were allowed to go, Annuranaphura (still cant say it) The eleven hour journey was made bearable, despite the heat, dust, various men trying to flog us stuff and hard seats, by the lovely people who just had to speak to us, all the children in their beautifully ironed white school uniforms who egged each other on to touch us and of course our FIRST FLASHER! Enough to say that this story has entertained many a drunken back packer party since then. I will tell you about this in person, as its much better in the flesh (so to speak) with hand gestures and sound effects!

Overawed by the huge temples being reclaimed from the ground and the sophisticated water control on a massive scale, circa 300B.C. Walked, cycled and climbed miles and loved it.

"Great King, refrain from killing birds in the sky and beasts in the forest. All creatures have a right to roam the earth freely. You are only the administrator"
Arahath Mahinda Thero to King Devanampiyatissa at Mihintale, 3rd century B.C.
Boy were they ahead of their times!!

I could go on for hours, and probably will, when I see you, but to keep it a bit less mind numbing I'll give you the Sri Lankan highlights:

Langur monkeys EVERYWHERE in Annuranaphura.
Sigiriya, a 2nd century mountain top fort, only 1500 steps.
Pinnewala elephant orphanage.
Yala National Park.
Adams Peak, a midnight pilgramage, 4800 steps, nearly 4hrs up and 3 excrutiating hours down.
Beautiful blue waters of Unawatuna.
Janice's first scuba dive to 10m, very impressed with myself!
Meeting Matt & Christina.
Rice & Curry, Rice & curry and more Rice & Curry.
Turtle hatchery, got to hold the little blighters.

1st April 2007

India, here we come!!