Travellers Photo Gallery

Some of us being seen off by a SHEEP!

A lovely morning for a walk beside the sea - Negombo Beach, Sri Lanka

Fish being put out to dry - Negombo.

Lynne enjoying a coconut.

Offerings being taken to the dagoba at Anuradhapura. One of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, Anuradhapura was the capital of Sri Lanka from the 4th Century BC until the early 11th century AD. During this time it was one of the most stable centers of political power and urban life in South Asia. The ancient city, considered sacred to the Buddhist world, is today surrounded by monasteries covering an area of over sixteen square miles (40 km²).

Sue about to ascend the steps to the place where the King received Buddhist teachings.

A rice bowl from the 3rd Century BC - big enough to feed 600 monks.

Whew! Relief that we just managed to hang on to the slimmest of margins! Watching the big game at the Cinnamon Lodge in Habarana. The RWC final was big news in Sri Lanka with the locals being enthusiastic AB supporters!

The pool was devine.

Lynne Judy and Judith having a cool ride.

A 5th Century AD man-made lake (called a tank) was home to lotus, birds and illusive crocodiles.

Sue coming up to check out the view from a village elephant lookout.

Sheila enjoying the bullock cart ride.

Huge Buddha at Polonnaruwa.

The ancient city of Polonnaruwa, became the Captial in 993AD after the fall of Anuradhapura.

A Land Monitor on the lawn - these land monitors can reach 1.5m, while their Water Monitor couisins can each 3m ! Sir Lanka is one of the World's Top 8 Reptile HOTSPOTS!

About to climb Sigiriya - the mist cleared for us to have great views from the top.

The remains of the Lion entrance to the summit palace -Sigiriya. Given the size of the paws, can you imagine its size? It would have been HUGE!

The Golden Buddha at Dambulla.

Queen's Hotel over 160 years old and our new bus-Kandy.

These students were about to sit an English exam and were keen to practise their skills.

Christmas fairy beneath a beautifully manicured tree.

We came across a wedding party in the Botannical Gardens near Kandy

Ali learns about school while waiting for the train.

Tea anyone?

Tea plantations Nuwara Eliya.

Dressed to ensure that your tea arrives hair free!

Sue beside 40kg tea bags

Beautifully tended vegetable gardens-Nuwara Eliya

Wimal our fantastic guide at World's End.

A magestic Sambour deer, Horton Plains National Park.

The walk thru rainy mist to World's End was rewarded with great views.

John negotiating the swing bridge.

Breakfast at our ecolodge jungle stay.

A giant squirrel helped himself to left over breakfast.

Off on a safari in Yala National Park and yes we saw Leopard and Elephant!

Stilt fishermen .Don't think this method would suit the Kiwi physique!.

Beautiful old buildings in Galle.

John and Sheila take time out at the Lady Hill in Galle

Lynne checking out the height of the Tsunami in Galle.

John getting the feel of a rather large snake.

Jude at the Turtle rescue sanctuary-Bentota.

A quick visit to Unawatuna Beach Resort -near Galle.

Puppets on parad - Cochin, Sth India.

The pool at our hotel was a welcoming retreat from the heat - Cochin

Lynne and Judy checking out the local jewellery -Cochin.

Denise, Ali, Lynne and Jude at Cochin Fort waterfront.

The Chinese style fishing nets of Cochin-India.

Denise, at the Kathakali dancing, Kochi.

The "Daniela," one of our two Malabar backwater cruise boats.

Sue and Judith chatting on the deck.

This network of backwater canals was originally built to carry produce to market.

Breakfast on the boat.

Cruising along the canals we saw many aspects of daily life.

Fish Eagle carrying a piece of branch to build her nest.

John admiring a beautifully decorated Indian truck.

Sheila tasting the roasted coconut at our Keralan cooking class.

A gorgeous mosque we spotted on the road to Kovalam.

Kovalam Beach, Indian ladies enjoying being on the coast.

Lunch local style - eaten with our fingers.

Off for a tuk tuk ride, a great way to get around the crowded streets.

Madurai's spectacular Meenakshi temples.

A group of local ladies were keen to have their photos taken with us, Madurai.

Fay, being 'blessed' by the temple elephant, Meenakshi.

The evening temple ceremonies, Meenakshi

Peanut oil being manufactured in the village.

Banyan Tree Farm, a beautiful location for our overnight farm stay.

Our host explains the dishes that had been prepared for our lunch.

The farm was named after this huge banyan tree, in the shade of which local justice was meted out in days gone by.

Ploughing teams in the the paddy fields.

Jude peeking out of the window on the train to Ooty.

In the days of the British Ra jOoty was known as the "Queen of the Hill Stations"

Happy Birthday Jude, coffee and cake on the green at the Gateway Hotel, Coonoor.

Playing badminton on the green in the late afternoon-Gateway Hotel.

Our delightful local staff - R to L: Mohan our driver, Biju our guide and Raja our assistant. Thank you for lookng after us so well.

Leaving the coloutful hillside town of Coonoor.

Passing through the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve on our way to Mysore we spotted - Elephants, monkeys, deer and even a sounder of wild pigs.

We were lucky to be in Mysore on a Sunday, when the gorgeous palace is lit up with thousands of lights.

Denise admiring a display of colourful dyes in the Mysore market.

Flowers are an important part of Hindu temple ritual - flower sellers preparing long chains of scented blooms for sale.

The stunning white Lalitha Mahal Palace is now a heritage hotel. The venue for our final night celebration dinner.

We dined in the old ballroom, which is now a most elegant restaurant.

Lynne, Sue, Jude and Ali looking gorgeous, wearing their welcome leis of jasmine and rose buds. We certainly had an evening to remember!