Airport to Negombo January 10th 2013

Airport to Negombo and Lewis Place.

1. After the baggage hall, an ATM is located next to the line of money changers booths in the arrivals building. The money changers were happy to exchange my big notes for smaller ones.

2. Leave the arrivals to the left hand exit. Turn left, then right and follow the road all the way to the main road outside the airport fence.

3. Turn left again and walk for 5 minutes. On the right is a bus stand. Wait here for number 187. Tell them you want to go to the bus station nearby, not Colombo! I was asked for 100 rupees for the 10 minute journey.

4. At the bus station look for bus 240. This is the bus to Negombo bus station, the last stop. It's about 50 rupees and takes about 40 minutes.

5. Go to the very last stand where bus 905 leaves towards Kochchikade via Lewis Place. It's about 20 rupees and 10 minutes to the first stop on Lewis Place.

6. Continue forwards to find a plethora of guest houses and Hotels at reasonable prices. Explore the lanes towards the beach carefully as you might miss a bargain room as the places are not always obvious.

I never had to wait anymore than 10 minutes and my 2 backpacks could ride with me...enjoy the adventure.

Sri Lanka at last January 10th 2013

Landing in Colombo

Sri Lanka at Last...

Breakfast is at the food court opposite, generally the reserve of airport staff and associated fringe companies, so unsurprisingly a few amused looks as I roll through the entrance. So, here we are, back to some of the best food I have ever tasted in the world! Breakfast is a Malaysian type of Roti - essentially an omelet wrapped in flat bread, with a dipping sauce. Throw in a cup of strong sweet tea and a very tasty meal for 95p, just about 4 1/2 ringgit.

Just a small matter of getting Air Asia to reinstate my lost bookings, so it's off to the LCCT in anticipation of arguing my case and having to produce evidence of payment etc...  "No problem", says the boy at the counter for problems. Within 10 minutes all is confirmed again and I'm definitely on my way to Sri Lanka. The 3 1/2 hour flight is on the Airbus A320 and is leaving on time - thankfully!

Colombo Airport

Descending into Colombo through lightening storms, rain lashing at the windows and of course it's a rocky ride as the plane is buffeted side to side. The landing is smooth enough though, all credit to the pilot in control. So, here we are - Welcome to Sri Lanka, 10th January, on Schedule, on time and very wet, but at least it's warm.

Formalities completed, again quite expediently. The Europeans, especially the British, have something to learn here! Now to get to Negombo without being scammed, cheated or arrested.

Top of the Tune Kuala Lumpur 10th January 2013

A few shots from top of Tune Hotel, Kuala Lumpur on a hazy morning..

And one for QPR fans!

Fleeced in Kuala Lumpur January 10th 2013

 ..

Fleeced in Kuala Lumpur..

14h20 as promised and the next leg of what is turning out to be a marathon effort, is underway. The next 7 hours on QR622 is an Airbus A330 which is good because I never fail to have a comfortable journey on one of these. Unfortunately though I have had my seat changed from 11k to 19k, something I hoped wouldn't happen.  Any seasoned traveller will know row 11 on an A330 is business class. A mistake made back in July when I booked the ticket, and only spotted because of the delay! On the plus side I have 2 seats for myself and I actually manage to grab a few minutes, or was it a couple of hours, anyway it felt like sleep.

An amazing sunset somewhere over India, but thereafter nothing to be seen until arrival in Kuala Lumpur, so some more enticing food offerings and try to snatch a few more of those sleep moments - surprisingly not really that tired right now.

A smooth descent and soft landing in KL, perhaps this captain is a mind reader! 3am, 6 hours late, we seem to be the only folk around this ghost town of an airport - that is apart from those passengers waiting for the return flight, I suspect equally tired and p..off, I mean fed up.

About 30 minutes for the completion of formalities, now to find the bus to LCCT, the Air Asia terminal on the opposite side of the airport to this place known as KLIA.  A plethora of taxi drivers, eager to capitalise on this early morning flight. And capitalise they do, for there is not a bus or train too anywhere until 5.30am. £24 to downtown and anything from £10-£15 just to get across to the LCCT and the Tune Hotel - fleeced, but with zero options, other than to camp out at KLIA, then it's 10 quid and off we go

4.30am and thankfully my reservation at the  LCCT Tune Hotel still stands. Next flight in a few hours, just enough time to crash for a bit, oh and better stick the gadgets on charge. Blocked up nose, infernal coughing, no sleep!

Delayed in Doha Extra..

Some of the Photos associated with Delayed in Doha.

Onward at 1420 eventually!

My Oryx Lunch

Food and Drink Unlimited!


More photos for aeroplane fans here