Dave and Deb Do New York City
People are always surprised to hear that Dave and I have never been to New York. It is only a 9-hour drive from Toronto and really, who hasn’t been to New York City? Yours Truly.We had always wondered what all the fuss was about. I mean, it is just a city right. That is why we never bothered to take the trip here. There are far more interesting places that we could go on earth. Boy, were we wrong.
Pakistan Border Ceremony, Theatre with Gusto
The Pakistan Border. It sounds so sexy to say that you have visited. Every evening in a small town just 35 km from Amritsar a spectacular show occurs.
Top Secret in Hikkaduwa: A Review
There is a fantastic place in Hikkaduwa that we probably shouldn’t be telling you about because it is Top Secret. OK, to be fair the name of the place is Top Secret and I think that they wouldn’ t mind if we let the cat out of the bag since they are located right on Galle Road with a big sign promoting the spot. Located in Hikkaduwa close enough to all the action, but far enough away that you can relax, Top Secret is probably the best budget accommodation that we have ever stayed at.
Unawatuna Sri Lanka. It Could be Paradise
The one thing that I don’t love about Sri Lanka’s beaches is the fact that they are so close to the Highway. That was something that we found to be refreshing change in Unawatuna. Unawatuna is a beach located right on the southern tip of Sri Lanka and it used to be the place to go. The highway bypasses this area and travelers can walk on quiet streets checking out shops and vendors and eating in cafés without inhaling fumes. Dave put it perfectly however. If Unawatuna had Hikkaduwa’s beaches it would be perfect. If Hikkaduwa had Unawatuna’s roads, it would be perfect. Unfortunately, neither is perfect.
Train Travel, Sri Lanka
One of the most pleasant ways of traveling around Sri Lanka is by train. Sri Lanka is a small country so you don’t have to worry about overnight sleepers as in India and booking is a dream. Just show up at the station a few minutes before your departure, buy a second class ticket and you are off! It chugs slowly along through Tea Plantations, dense forest and spectacular mountain Vistas.
Hikkaduwa Sri Lanka – Surf, Sun, Sand
One hundred kilometers south of Colombo, Sri Lanka’s Capital City, the beach scene begins. There are several beach towns to choose from in this country. Most people come to Sri Lanka for the beach and only the beach.
While there is so much more to see, we wanted to start out at the beach ourselves and we decided to head to the most popular sunshine destination Hikkaduwa.
Sri Lanka, Island Paradise
We have stepped into heaven. The air is warm and clear; the roads are orderly and clean. Our driver hasn’t honked his horn once. He even used his signal when switching lanes! What is this civilized planet we have stepped into? We have arrived in Sri Lanka on a one-month tourist visa.
Udaipur: The most Romantic City in India
Udaipur, which is situated on Lake Pichola in Rajasthan, India is filled with buildings fit for a Maharana. They rise from the water with architecture dating back to the 1500’s. Domed rooftops and arched windows make for a storybook setting. Days can be spent lounging on a bed with big cushions over looking the ghats (steps leading to the water) and daily life. Tourists dine on balconies and roof top patios as they overlook the cityscape of pastel yellows and creams.
Ode to Bombay
Oh Mumbai, we wish we had more time with you. We love your colonial buildings, your pulsating energy, your friendly people and your scenic waterfront. We were walking distance from all of the top sites and best parts of the city. We strolled to Coloba to see the stunning Gate of India on the Arabian Sea. At least we witnessed the grand old train station and lovely buildings that line Mahatma Gandhi Road. We sampled the food and we walked and we walked as we always do when we visit a new city.
Travel is Glamorous…In Retrospect
I had read a great quote somewhere recently by Mark Twain. It goes something along the lines of “Travel is Glamorous in Retrospect” When I saw Dave doing our laundry in a little bucket in our coco hut bungalow, this quote came perfectly to mind.
A Day in Goa
Everyone says “you’ve got to go to Goa.” So we did. Patnem Beach is a little slice of paradise. The water is warm, the surf is mellow and the sunsets are to die for. It is an easy place to spend time in. Calm waters flow into fine white sand. Days are spent practicing yoga, taking long walks and working on tanning our Canadian white skin. Goa is different from the rest of India. Alcohol flows freely, bikini clad tourists flaunt their skin and vendors are laid back when selling their wares. I can see why people spend their entire winter on these beaches and never venture far away.
Arrival at Patnem Beach in Goa
It is 5:00 am when we stepped off the train in Goa. The morning is still dark and nobody is around. We seem to be the only people getting off at this stop. The beach is deserted. So we pull up a chair at one of the empty beach bars and wait in the dark., dogs are sleeping at our feet and we look out towards the sunrise to see large mounds in the sand. Are those cows we see? Yes, the cows own the beach in the morning and they are sleeping along with everyone else. It is calm and tranquil.
Our Houseboat Backwater Tour of Alleppey
We had read that the backwater tour was a must when visiting Kerala. According to The Lonely Planet It may be one of the most expensive things that you do in India, but it is well worth it. So naturally, we booked a houseboat and splurged on a cruise the backwater canals and tributaries of Alleppey. The boat was exactly what you would want for an exotic Asian Cruise adventure.
Chill out in Varkala, India
If anyone is worried about the craziness of India or just doesn’t want to start of their vacation with a hassle. We highly recommend flying directly to Trivandrum and catching a pre-paid Embassador cab to Varkala. The trip from Trivandrum Airport to Varkala is about and hour and it cost us 1000 Rupees which is $20 US dollars. We are staying at Skylark Guest house and find it a great value.
Cycling is Such a Great Idea – But can Everybody Have a Bike
Cycling is such a great utilitarian activity many of us take it for granted. And there are people that have one or two bicycles for each different kind of activity. Many of us are so fortunate, living in an affluent society like Europe or North America, to find so many bicycle stores and other suppliers of bicycles in every neighbourhood. Yet we fail to realize how lucky we are. Many of us simply don’t know how hard it can be for a person living in most parts of the third world to have access to a simple two wheeler. People who earn about one-tenth of our hourly wages in a whole week will have to pay the same price as we do to buy the same bike in their places. It is simply not fair.
A Moment of Zen in Zanzibar
Nungwi is chillaxin’, beautiful and serene. Only a couple hours by minivan. Accommodations vary from luxury beach hotels with swimming pools to basic bungalows. Restaurants range from trendy bistros, huts on the beach, cafes and small family run eateries.
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