The good news came through via text on Sunday before we left that we had been fortunate enough to get our requested upgrade for Adelaide to Singapore so the princess relaxed.
As it turned out though, we hadn't factored in Isabella in 1F. The demon child who flatly refused to sleep or stop wailing the whole way. By the time we reached Singapore (airport shopping Mecca) I had such a headache it was totally wasted on me.
The next leg with Singapore (eco) was surprisingly good and in a little under 4 hours we touched down in Colombo at around midnight (or 5am SA time.)
I hope those accompanying Isabella to London had a relaxing trip.
I must have been tired, was a little off my game at the ATM when I selected a withdrawal of 200 (Sri Lankan rupees) pocketed the notes and then Russell told me I had just withdrawn $AUD 1.54! Oops.
Our driver was waiting patiently and drove us to our hotel about 45 mins away – unlike 2006 we didn't have to stop at three military checkpoints to have a machine gun armed man check the car – so things are improving. Not noticeably the traffic though. Tuk tuks, trucks, cars and buses alternately tooted, swerved and performed an intricate set of manoeuvres that only they know the rules of but we arrived in one piece.
Our room (an Oceanic suite) is lovely and dominated by a large jacuzzi bath. For those that know Russell's views on the ability of a spa bath to single handedly wage microbiological warfare, it was quite ironic.
After a quick shower we collapsed into bed and slept well despite the thunderstorm raging outside.
Wednesday morning we were greeted by one of the Sri Lankan doctors who whisked us away to the Saree shop and then left us to wander at will.
I'm not so keen on the latest Saree fashion, they have moved away from the pure silk of my last one to chiffon type creations but as Russell said, it wouldn't do to be in 2006 fashion in 2012 so I made my selection and we moved on to other shopping ventures via the ubiquitous tuk tuk. Our driver waited outside wherever we went and then delivered us back to the hotel for about $AUD 8.
Some quick facts about Sri Lanka.
The average Sri Lankan wage is $US 850 per annum.
Population is about 19 million on an island the size of Tasmania and they currently only receive about 500,000 visitors per year. That is picking up though as the slow recovery continues from the tsunami and the civil war. Apparently Russians constitute one of the largest groups of people now visiting.
Just before dinner, another Sri Lankan lady doctor arrived to whisk me off to the Saree dressmaker for measuring up – I will apparently have a fitting tonight (Thursday) and the Saree will be ready for Saturday. I was told he charges “top dollar” but is the best. I asked how much that would be, the answer was probably about 3000 rupees – about $AUD 22.
So, room service dinner on our balcony and an early night.
Today, Thursday, Russell starts singing for our supper so I am taking time to write this, read my book and maybe visit the spa this afternoon…..