No need to ask for directions

 I feel so grateful that I come from a generation where we had to plan our travel, as you know I absolutely love a spreadsheet! Well that’s not the case now. Everything we need to know is in the palm of our hands. 

No need to ask for directions, as you just follow google maps. No need to head to the tourist information, you just search the internet or ask ChatGPT.

We’re loosing our fabulous interactions. No one is chatting on the trains, they’re all glued to their screens. 

I still want to ask for directions!!!!! 

I shook the bishops hand

 This morning I explored the old part of town, fuelled by strong coffee and a pastel de nata. 

The cathedral was closed, but the square was buzzing. A large screen with chairs around was broadcasting from inside. A red carpet went around from the nearby museum and it was lined with scouts on guard. The new Bishop of the Algarve was having a special service and as I stood by the red carpet he came along and as he did with many in the crowd, he shook my hand. 

I’ll pay for you

 It feels weird, Portugal uses cash! It makes you realise how horrible it has all become that we just tap our cards all the time. 

After lunch I wondered through town and came across the Chapel of Bones. When the cemeteries were all full 1245 monks were ‘buried’ to make the chapel. It’s full of skulls and bones and is weirdly fascinating. 

I’d left my wallet in the hotel so had no cash, so when the ticket collector said cash only I retreated, only to be called back by the Welsh couple behind me who wanted to pay for my ticket. 

Wow it feels good so be travelling again after so long! 

Someone smells of garlic

 I do love Brits abroad, especially the woman who was standing behind me in the passport queue arriving at Faro Airport. She said loudly, someone smells of garlic and shouldn’t be breathing so much. 

Well it was me, I cooked a lovely steak last night with lots of garlic and butter. Crikey she’ll have a problem with tapas and other wonderful local food. 

Welcome to Portugal! 

You don’t need to inform the tourist police

When you check into a hotel in India, immediately you need to give over your passport for them to make a copy of, and often fill out a huge tome of travel info. This does not seem to be the case in Sri Lanka. 

We checked in later than anticipated at our hotel in Ella, after our scenic train was quite delayed en route. The guy had a a list on his phone and then we said room for Sarah and room for Emma. After a great nights sleep I checked my WhatsApp and had a message from the owner saying he had reported me to the transport police as I had made a fraudulent booking and not turned up. Imagine his surprise when I replied that I was in room no 2. 

Turns out there was an issue with booking.com and his list showed 2 rooms for Emma and one for me, so he assumed I never turned up. Panic over and no need for him to inform the tourist police!

Be careful, the monkeys might come in

 I was told to be careful as monkeys often decended onto my balcony at my hotel in Kandy. It was situated a few minutes walk from the beautiful central lake and opposite was a huge hill densely covered by trees and palms. 

I was careful not to leave anything out but twice when I was getting ready in the morning a group of monkeys descended and came up to the bedroom window to peer in. They jumped around, pulled at the window bars and then scampered onto the roof.  

Petrol station explosion

 You get very in tune with your body when you travel. Are you drinking enough water, eating enough fruit? And there is always an Indian explosion when you have a panicked rush to the bathroom. 

I was in a taxi and asked to stop at the next petrol station. Feeling calm that one was in sight, I was alarmed when we just drove past. We stopped at the next one, which was on the opposite side of the road and I ran to the bathroom and exploded! Let’s not go into detail but I was completely empty - who needs colonic irrigation in India! 

We then carried on and our driver drove on the wrong side of the road on the inside lane for what felt was far too long. Terrifying India.