Glad to be alive in Kandy
I need to get back to the main bus station in Negombo town and find the bus to Kandy. Waiting then for the bus 905, making an assumption that since it got me here must be the one to take me back. A tuk tuk pulls up every few minutes and I politely decline their offers! 905 rolls by without stopping - it's full. The next one probably will be as well so I have to relent and accept the next tuk tuk - which actually turns out to be quite a decent price with no added tax - 50p.
The Negombo bus rolls out just as I roll in through the main entrance, time enough though for me to jump on at exactly 9am. The ticket man asks for 143 rupees, equivalent to about 75p. Not a bad deal for a 3 to 4 hour trip - as long as I get their in one piece of course. I get a seat with a view, right at the front and it's quite comfy, despite the rest of the bus being in need of some TLC. Next stop Is the bus station near the airport for a 10 minute wait.
The bus is full - full to bursting with folk hanging down the middle, as it pulls away and heads off towards Kandy. Three on seats made for two as the ticket man gestures that we all need to bunch up a bit! Thankfully, it's not a terribly hot day or this might have become an unpleasant mess.
It's quite a nice ride up towards Kandy. The windows are all open as is the main door, have some water and some traditional sounds playing over the loud speaker. The old bus labors on uphill struggling to pass the tuk tuks. It's amazing how these drivers can turn a narrow 2 lane road into a 3 lane highway! Well, just don't look - enjoy the nice, lush hilly scenery. Frequent stops are made at every town and the bus is still full to bursting some 2 1/2 hours into the trip. Despite this, a couple of buskers have somehow made a space - a woman sings whilst someone else bangs on a drum, or something similar.
Exactly 12h30, 3 1/2 hours, and the bus rolls into Kandy. First impression whilst being choked on diesel fumes, well, there ain't a lot round here. I wanted to eat but nowhere could I see a cafe, even a street vendor, usually to be found in abundance at places like these in Asia. As it happens the bus station, well, its more of a drop off area really, is just behind the railway station, and hopefully a cafe. Yes, and a plate of rice, cucumber and coconut curry with tea, came to a whopping 76p.
Now to find a place to stay. I know roughly where to head for and luckily it's on the tourist map. Saranankara Road, about half way around the Kandy lake is reputed to have the best pick of decently priced accommodation in the town. So, under a clear blue sky and with looks of disappointment from members of the local tuk mafia, it's a trek along the streets of Kandy to find the lake.
I need to get back to the main bus station in Negombo town and find the bus to Kandy. Waiting then for the bus 905, making an assumption that since it got me here must be the one to take me back. A tuk tuk pulls up every few minutes and I politely decline their offers! 905 rolls by without stopping - it's full. The next one probably will be as well so I have to relent and accept the next tuk tuk - which actually turns out to be quite a decent price with no added tax - 50p.
The Negombo bus rolls out just as I roll in through the main entrance, time enough though for me to jump on at exactly 9am. The ticket man asks for 143 rupees, equivalent to about 75p. Not a bad deal for a 3 to 4 hour trip - as long as I get their in one piece of course. I get a seat with a view, right at the front and it's quite comfy, despite the rest of the bus being in need of some TLC. Next stop Is the bus station near the airport for a 10 minute wait.
The bus is full - full to bursting with folk hanging down the middle, as it pulls away and heads off towards Kandy. Three on seats made for two as the ticket man gestures that we all need to bunch up a bit! Thankfully, it's not a terribly hot day or this might have become an unpleasant mess.
It's quite a nice ride up towards Kandy. The windows are all open as is the main door, have some water and some traditional sounds playing over the loud speaker. The old bus labors on uphill struggling to pass the tuk tuks. It's amazing how these drivers can turn a narrow 2 lane road into a 3 lane highway! Well, just don't look - enjoy the nice, lush hilly scenery. Frequent stops are made at every town and the bus is still full to bursting some 2 1/2 hours into the trip. Despite this, a couple of buskers have somehow made a space - a woman sings whilst someone else bangs on a drum, or something similar.
Exactly 12h30, 3 1/2 hours, and the bus rolls into Kandy. First impression whilst being choked on diesel fumes, well, there ain't a lot round here. I wanted to eat but nowhere could I see a cafe, even a street vendor, usually to be found in abundance at places like these in Asia. As it happens the bus station, well, its more of a drop off area really, is just behind the railway station, and hopefully a cafe. Yes, and a plate of rice, cucumber and coconut curry with tea, came to a whopping 76p.
Now to find a place to stay. I know roughly where to head for and luckily it's on the tourist map. Saranankara Road, about half way around the Kandy lake is reputed to have the best pick of decently priced accommodation in the town. So, under a clear blue sky and with looks of disappointment from members of the local tuk mafia, it's a trek along the streets of Kandy to find the lake.
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