15/11/2013 Got bus in the morning to Negombo, a place just north of the airport, above Colombo. Was going to go meet Yasu in a cheap hostel that he'd recommended, sleep the night, then get the bus the next day to the airport. Got there and I wasn't let down. Was the first hostel I'd been in, but was so good. 1000rs a night, £5, very very cheap for SL. Throw in free breakfast, tea and coffee, wifi and a nice beach and you're on to a winner. The women was ...

14/11/2013 Went on a day trip to Sigiriya today with the Japanese dude Yasu, to see the Sigiriya Rock. We got the bus at half 7. The buses are much nicer here, not the actual rust buckets of India, they have windows and are much more powerful. With this comes some crazy CRAZY driving! Our driver was going like a man possessed, and was not happy unless he was overtaking, or at least setting up such move. The horn is also a mainstay of Sri Lanka, if not mo...

12/11/2013 Was awoken by a high pitched mosquito in the night and had to get up to kill it. Long live Jungle Formula, 50% deet!!! That's enough to put me down never mind a little mozzie. Later on got up at 5:45 for my train to Kandy. The train was mega!!!! A ticket for around £1 got me an absolutely stella seat, the train had glass windows, shiny fittings and nice toilets. Wow. Then there was the view…. Apparently Ella to Kandy is one of the most beautf...

10/11/2013 Left Ubik outside bookshop as a donation, got bus to Galle to and found the bus that would take me Ella. The bus was blaring some local music as per, so the eye mask and ear plugs were a mainstay. Throw in a few chapters of George Orwell's 1984 and the 6 hour bus ride was a good one. The bus got really full and I pitied the people standing for hours in the heat as the bus rocketed too and fro to Ella. Found a lovely room for 1500, Beauty Mount g...

06/11/2013 Had a real chilled day. Mike also rocked back up a day early. Claimed I was gonna leave tomorrow so said bye for the second time. Had a good craic on with the owner, a really old guy who can still be seen doing the books, serving the customers. Maybe he works because he has to, but I preferred to think it was just because he still loves his job. Hope I'm like that when I'm that old. Was funny when he claimed he is the only Buddhist in Sri Lank...