Southeast Asia - Week of May 21: Sri Lanka Week 5

Welcome back! Last Saturday was the last night of the six night stay at the Blue Sands Beach Resort.

It's now Sunday, May 21; check-out time from the last day at the Blue Sands Beach Resort in Trincomalee. It was time to say good-bye to the following hotel staff who had created a wonderful experience. Through the week, the team had helped me:

1. Get my haircut
2. Thanush:
• Spoke with the hotel manager to have my daily rate for the three day extension period reduced by 1,000 rupees, 
• Advised me to pay cash to avoid the 3% credit card surcharge, 
• Suggested using the local bus instead of using a taxi to get to my next destination because the taxi was too expensive.
3. Organized any tuk tuk rides I needed. 
4. Enjoyed a different Sri Lankan breakfast and dinner for the six nights I was a guest.

The six days was an effortless time for me; masterclass in hospitality management. I completed a Trip Advisor review to share my positive experience. The team included:

• Front Office: Thileepanrajh, Thanushthiran and Dhanushika
• Kitchen: Candru
• Restaurant: Jadeeshan
• Housekeeping: Anna, Nishanthan

A final wonderful touch exemplifying this hotel's service experience: the hotel manager joined Thileepanrajh and Dhanushika at the hotel entrance to wish me good-bye as I drove off to the bus station in my tuk tuk. Thanush said his good-bye the night before as he advised me in advance that Sunday was his day off. 

Kalkudah - Amethyst Resort Passikudah

The plan was to take an A/C bus to Kalkudah for my next three night beach stay. As it turned out, the information I had was incorrect. No A/C buses going on Sunday. I was directed to the local green bus, leaving at 1 pm, that had a stop in Kalkudah (distance of about 122 km). I was now going to have my first local bus experience. The ride was just fine; was better when the bus was moving and the windows wide open. Definitely felt the heat whenever the bus had extended stops. You do have to adapt to the loud music playing on all buses. The other important consideration is taking a local bus means it is going to take more time. Lots of stopping for people getting on and off the bus. Thanush was right about the cost difference. The total cost was less than 500 rupees. A taxi ride would have been in the range of 8,000 - 10,000 rupees. When we arrived in Kalkudah, the bus conductor ensured I got off and hailed a tuk tuk for me. 

Lo and behold - the crocodile

I arrived at theAmethyst Resort Passikudah (name of beach) in the late afternoon. I had a wonderful welcome drink. I was also informed, that if I was lucky, I might see the crocodile in the river that transversed the resort. I was thinking the front desk person was just kidding - local folklore to make things interesting. Well, I was wrong. I saw the crocodile on my way to check-out. 

This was a true resort. I was guided to a fabulous large room with all the amenities. The resort had a huge swimming pool in addition to being right on the sea. Passikudah is one of the top two beaches in Sri Lanka according to the staff. The beach is devoid of fishing boats, clean, only a couple feral dogs and virtually deserted in spite of the several resorts that line the beach. Great beach for my daily walks, great sunrises and just chilling. Black flies and crows were also noticeably absent. Paradise, my friends!

I decided to try my first dinner off the resort at Rupsy's; a local restaurant that had positive reviews on Google Maps. Was a delightful little family run place - daughter, husband, mother and father. Imagine a small store front with an awning covered a concrete pad. Also imagine plastic furniture. Very simple eating place with great food. I ended up having my three dinners at Rupsy's. During my second restaurant meal, I was joined by the father who sat by the road selling a chewing tobacco product amongst a few other things. I learned one of his daughters working at my resort's reception (yes, I did speak to the daughter about meeting her father). His English was self-taught; he did also mention he was only able to speak English. During our conversation he offered to get a fresh whole fish for my last meal. The deal for dinner the following evening was struck. The last meal was fabulous. Posted a review along with a photo of the meal. While I was eating the last meal, the daughter appeared with a wooden chair to replace the plastic chair I was sitting on. I was getting special treatment! 

Wednesday was travel day to Arugam Bay which was about another 100 plus km. What I would learn is the trip involved a bus change in Batticaloa. No problem. My tuk tuk driver, who delivered me to the local bus station, identified the bus I needed to be on to get to Batticaloa and then instructed the bus conductor to ensure I got on the right bus at Batticaloa. The bus ride went smoothly including the bus transfer. The conductor confirmed which bus I needed to be on, then walked me to the bus conductor to ensure I got on the right bus. I continue to be very blessed in how the Sri Lankan people I meet have helped me in my journey. 

Arugam Bay - Bay Vista Hotel

After a four km tuk tuk ride from the bus station, I was at my new home for the next three nights. The hotel was right on the beach, a ten minute walk from Main Point which is one of the key surfing places. The best time to visit Arugam Bay, if you are a surfer, is in late June when the massive waves are a daily event. The waves at this time of year are somewhat tame - in comparison. 

My initial impression of my new home was being underwhelmed, again. The beach in front of the hotel was crowded with fishing boats. The Trinco beach experience being relived. Unfortunately, the comparison with the resort I just left was also hard to ignore. Surprisingly, by the next day, I was asking about extending my stay by three days. I witnessed my first sunrise from the bay with surfers in the foreground. Pretty awesome. Guess, the hotel was okay after all. The other factor was my desire to stop traveling so much. Would be good to stay put for a few more days. 

Perrara, the owner, was happy to accommodate my three day extension request, at a lower daily rate as Booking.com fees were avoided. I could stay in my same room - no fuss, no muss. Breakfast was less imaginative at the Bay Vista. I resumed my 'usual' dinner practice of finding restaurants beyond the hotel to eat at. Have to admit the hotel was one of the better options. The best option was the Green Door which served fabulous meals that you could hear the chef preparing. 

The Tandoori Hut owner shared a great story behind this restaurant. Three friends, when visiting Arugam Bay in 2013 discovered an absence of good Indian food. They decided to start an Indian food restaurant - but with a difference. The focus was to employ locals, train them in the art of restaurant management to help bring employment sustainability to the community. They also took the profits to offer locals the chance to start a business with chickens - providing those interested with the necessary stuff to start their chicken business. Another business opportunity the profits supported was buying sewing machines for those interested in making and repairing clothing. Such a great idea - another great education for David. BTW - I did turn down the request to buy dinner for the group of ten people that I was sharing tables with!

Shelling - Hunting for Sea Shells

I've expanded my skill set by learning more about the fine art of shelling. Nicola, my sister-in-law is an avid sheller. When I came across a collection of shells on a beach walk I thought I'd share my good fortune with Nicola. This collection was the first significant amount of shells I have seen so far. Well, from the photo on the left, her eagle eye was able to spot the specific shell she was interested in - photo on the right. I was now on a mission.

I found four shells that matched the original request. I also found a few more shells that I thought were worth picking up (see photo on the left). The photo on the right identifies the shells I was asked to bring with me when I return to Canada. And that, my friends, is my introduction to shelling. 

Travel Plans Update

After further research into Philippine and Malaysian weather patterns, I've now decided to visit the Philippines first. June is the start of tropical cyclone season with a historical average of 1 cyclone in June and 3.3 cyclones in July. My destinations are Bohol and Cebu in the southern part of the country where, if a cyclone does appear, is typically the cyclone's outer part. The other potential issue is earthquakes I need to consider is earthquakes. I now have a disaster alert app on my phone to help me keep track of these potential events in this part of the world. Fingers crossed. I ask that you also keep me in your prayers. 🙋🙏

Banking Update

Almost there. Just finalizing the Scotia Connect backup plan should I have another bank card issue. 

I've now spoken with Eva from Scotia Connect to confirm the interbank transfer requirement. The additional service takes from five to ten business days to implement once I sign the updated agreement. Now this is where I get to share with you an example of what I mean by a 'David moment'. I am told that Scotiabank has an internal policy that requires the small business advisor to verify my identity prior to sending any agreement - irrespective of how many emails we have exchanged and discussions we had leading to the updated agreement. My moment is me wanting to stand my ground on the absurdity of what is being asked of me. The simple solution is to talk with the small business advisor to verify my identity and get the agreement for signature. BTW - the agreement will be sent through regular email (unsecured) for electronic signature. Has got me riled; thus the moment. 

Paying the hotel bill

I forgot to share the different ways you are expected to pay your hotel bill. Credit cards are accepted in n most major centres like Colombo or established resorts like Amethyst. Cash is the expected payment method in all the other hotel locations. Your Booking.com reservation has the payment information - always make sure you read the emails you get thoroughly and carry extra cash with you. ATMs are available pretty much everywhere I have been. People's Bank machines have been my choice given the absence of transaction fees along with a comparable exchange rate with the other banks. Bank of Ceylon are also transaction fee free. Yes, I've learned about the fees and exchange rates through experience. 

Next Week

The plan is to head to Tangalle by local bus. Tangalle is on the south coast with great beaches where I can continue to enjoy the beach life. I have seven dnights to plan for. After that I head to Galle for a night. I want to support Mahi's taxi business so I'm arranging for him to drive me to Colombo on Wednesday, June 7. I'll stay on the Colombo Red for two nights - sort of. My flight to Bangkok is a red-eye leaving at 1:10 am on June 9 arriving in Bangkok at 6:15 am. 

Please use the comments section if you have any questions and/or want more details beyond what I am sharing. Happy to help out as best I can.