It feels like we never left

It has been a hectic two months, with leaving Aussie, moving home and getting married. But in true spirit that didn't stop us getting our travel back on for a whirlwind of a honeymoon to Singapore and Sri Lanka.

A quick stop over in Singapore after a joyful as always (*soul destroying*) jetstar flight, meant for a fantastic night in a great new hotel near the airport. Nothing like a swim to wash away the Singaporean humidity. We squeezed in some great meals (milo on toast anyone?) and a trip to the bay gardens before skipping out for Sri Lanka. We will be back for a few more days on the way home.

It was about now I reassessed jetstar long hall... I think tiger short hall was worse. Even my knees touched the seat in front of me!! And the smell! Nightmare. Post smelly, clostraphobic flight we were greeted by what could be the most hospitable guesthouse host ever imaginable. He had our welcome drinks ready, got the other hosts all out of bed to meet us (including he elderly mother), had our train tickets ready for the next day and, for the first time for spike and I, a named welcome card at the airport.

On a side note, the duty free shops at the airport were nothing like I had ever seen, it felt more like a market street for washing machines and appliances, with many many little stores all named after their owners... Crazy.

The next morning It felt like the first stage of the trip was beginning as we boarded the train towards the hills, destined for Nuwara Eliya. And what a train it was. Although basic in amenities (as to be expected) the service was fantastic and the free wifi, a crazy unexpected joy for the 8 hour journey (meant to be a 5 hr trip I think).

Nuwara Eliya is the tea capital of Sri Lanka, and it turns out I really enjoy the light type of tea grown in these highlands. We took a trip out to the Mackwoods tea factory - this tea is only exported. The tea fields are never ending and beautiful. Perched on the steepest of slopes no land is wasted and the ladies work hard hand plucking then drying them. It is a very manual process still, even in this very large factory.

Like anywhere else in Asia there are a lot of tuk tuks, many are in great condition (better than SE Asia) and Sri Lankans take a lot of care in keeping them clean (along with their streets, houses etc). One thing I really like is they all seem to have some sort of slogan on the side of them. From funny and inspiration, "if you are in hell, keep going" to religious quotes. Always in English too.

It turns out that there is a "New Zealand" farm here in the highlands also, about 40 minutes out of town. Our guesthouse was very proud of the two dairy farms and very small factory. Although, other than the landscape (nz looking bush) it seemed to all run a bit differently from at home. Felt like they had put a bit of a show on, bring stock into the sheds, and I must admit some of it made me pretty emotional. Pleased we saw it and it wasn't all bad, but far from the most fun experience, nor much like the New Zealand way of doing it. We were quite disappointed there was no one there to ask questions of either. Needless to say we didn't come out that much more educated on dairying in Sri Lanka. On a positive note, at least it all ended with some fantastic Indian food for lunch on the way back to town.

The food at the guesthouse here has been awesome too, the host has taken to giving spike some of what they are eating, the 'bit of spice' meals... Needless to say we have some HOT food, although very very good. We were told that Sri Lankan food wasn't that hot before we came... I think I tend to disagree with this! Think chillies stuffing an omelette, or anything devilled (which unlike devilled in nz is very very hot with hunks of chilly and a bit of sweet). Not to say there isn't option with less of a kick. Just isn't the default here. Lucky we both love spice!

The weather has been pretty rough the last couple of days which has lead to a change in plans. Plus we are also still exhausted from the travelling. Adams peak trek has been bypassed for what I am sure will be a great, although very short, trip to Kandy. With a stop at another tea factory, blue fields for some more tea tasting on the way.