So Where On Earth Am I Planning To Go?

The pupils from Mablins Lane School could tell you, as I talked about it in a couple of my assemblies before I left. I did send out a newsletter in late July to some people who had no idea I had even resigned my position as Head teacher, but there are many friends out there who still do not know my proposed itinerary. I also promised to inform my good friend Roger Winter and his wonderful class of pupils at Moor Hall School (Class Three I believe) about my adventure.

So with a deep breath, here goes...

...Sri Lanka, Nepal, China, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, Borneo or Indonesia, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, Chile, Peru, Ecuador, Cuba, USA and Canada. It should take a year or so, but with only a few dates set (and they can still be changed) who knows? 

I have already hit my first unexpected hurdle - no direct flights from Sri Lanka to Nepal. Therefore, I need to go via somewhere else. Current contenders are: New Delhi or Mumbai in India, Bangkok (that's in Thailand Mum) or a trip back to the Middle East, reaching Kathmandu via Dubai (again), Riyadh or Kuwait City. I'd be interested to hear any thoughts out there. All other possible routes interfere with my future plans or have Visa issues, but someone may have a great suggestion I have not yet considered. I suppose when Michael Palin did his 'Around the World' trip in the1980's he had the might of the BBC, film crew and his own 'Passepartout' behind him. Perhaps Mr Winter's pupils could check out alternatives for me during an ICT session and let me know?!

I have been in touch with a reputable dive centre just south of the capital today and whist the official Sri Lankan dive season does not begin until November the 1st, the owner is willing to give me a refresher dive and then a day out diving some time after his lead instructor arrives back in the country on the 10th. I had begun to worry that I would not get to dive here, but Pri is a friend of the dive owner's wife and has put in a good word for me. I can't wait, but it means I need to swap around some of my plans here. I shall now get a train to Kandy on Wednesday for a few days in the centre of the island. Hopefully, I can then get to visit tea plantations and elephant reserves from there before returning to Columbo and some diving. I had planned to go to the Yala National Park for a short safari, but the rains have not fallen sufficiently in the South this year and the watering holes are all dry and the animals are in a desperate condition - not something I want to see, especially when I was spoiled rotten with a wonderful African safari by Des Dunstone when Cath (Mrs Bebbington) and I first went to South Africa as part of an Afritwin project with the British Council back in 2008. (Are you still up for taking me to Kruger National Park sometime Des? - You did promise a number of times as I recall !!!)

Anyway, I must go. I have an early start tomorrow as I head for the Pettah district and Colombo Fort at 8.00am after another breakfast featuring curry no doubt. Actually, you'll all be surprised to hear that I am eating everything I am being given (probably due to the intense training I had at Morag and Andy's for the last 7 weeks!) Today I had a bowl of mango and pomegranate to start, a lightly curried omelette, a huge dish of gram beans, coconut and rosti followed by a dish of buffalo cheese with honey! Fortunately, it was all washed down with excellent Ceylon tea (with milk) and when served on a shady verandah, reading Sunday newspapers with my host Pri - could not be beaten.

Bye all

Paul

x