Poverty in Japan

When I was in Japan in December 2009, I saw several people wearing tattered clothes sitting on the park benches at Ueno park. I also came across a guy living in a cardboard box near under a bridge near the Imperial Palace. Since 1990, Japan's economy has been declining but I never saw much poverty during my 3 weeks travel in Japan.

Tonight, Al Jazeera had a documentary about poverty in Japan. To my surprise, the official figures last year stated that 16% of Japanese were living below the poverty line.

Other report about the homeless in Osaka, Japan's second largest city here.

Another Overseas Busness Trip

Barely 2 weeks before Hari Raya, I have to go overseas on another last minute business trip. This time I am going to Uzbekistan.

The hassle will start on Monday when I have to personally go to the consulate to apply for a visa. Normally the application is handled by the travel dept. but the visa will only be ready in five working days and I plan to fly next Thursday. I received the request from the project team in Uzbekistan on Thursday evening. I replied on Friday with a complaint on the last minute request (my actual e-mail was nastier than this). I am not even sure if I can get an a flight back by 8 Aug. to attend a meeting on 9 Aug. I would imagine the flights next week would be fully booked.

Business trips made to this date to these countries: Vietnam, France, United Arab Emirates and Sudan.

More trips expected by end of the year to the above countries and some more (Brazil).

I am still running occassionally during Ramadhan but limited to 3 km per session. Haven't run at KLCC park for two years.

Update for 2010

My first post for 2010.

Tomorrow I am going to my least favourite country; Sudan. It will be hot, dusty and it's much worse when there is a sand storm. Fortunately a new hotel has opened and I can avoid staying at the so called 5 star hotel Grand Holiday Villa. The "Grand" is located in a lovely English colonial building but reality does not match nostalgia.

The new hotel (Salam Khartoum) even has what I hope for, a modern fitness centre.

The bad news (other than having to go there) is I have to stay a weekend in Khartoum. It will be unimaginably boring and I have stayed a weekend in a previous trip. To maintain my sanity over the weekend I will bring along a reasonably thick book , an autobiography of Paul Dirac". The New York Times review of the book called it "a gift".

In case I finished the book before the weekend (Friday & Saturday), I will also bring along a DVD of Magnum PI, season 8.

I am still running on the treadmill regularly (4 to 6 km). I also registered for the Penang Bridge run that will take some dedicated and consistent training. Hopefully I won't be doing much traveling until the end of the year. To date, I already had to travel to Vietnam (twice in 2010), Dubai in June (it was hot) and Paris (I like Paris).

Holiday in Japan : How to become a Japanese

I have been in Hiroshima since Friday and today (Monday) I am going to Osaka. In Hiroshima, I visited the Atomic peace park and the memorial museum. Hiroshima was the first city in human history to b hit by an atomic bomb on 6 Aug 1945. After that there wasn`t much else to see in Hiroshima. On Sunday morning I did run along a river. It was a rather freezing run because I had forgotten to bring along gloves. There was only about 6 other runners which was not surprisingly as it was probaly 2 deg C.

I have been wondering how the sales and store staff in Japan become so polite and corteous. Last night I found out how this happens on at least one version of it I think. In a TV program, new staff at at a hair salon underwent training on how to greet and what to say to their customers. Each staff was given a a file containing a script on the appropriate sentences. A trainer (5o`s lady) was going through some exercises with them. It was serious stuff. Later she hung around the salon to observe the staff and their interaction with their customers. The final scene was the best. Training was completed and all of the salon staff stood outside, bowed, said their thanks and other stuff in Japanese. The lady thanks and other stuff in Japanese. The lady trainer left in a taxi. It was too much for one of the guys. He burst out in tears and cried his heart out.

The 2nd part was how taxi drivers were training on how to smile and say the right things to their passengers.

So that is how it is done in Japan.

Holiday in Japan : Vending Machine Price War

In Japan，vending machines selling all kinds of things are everywhere. Most of the machines sell drinks which uniformly costs Y130 per drink. Even the hotels have a specific floor which has a room with vending machines (never at reception though). The is now a price war with machines selling drinks at cut rate prices Y100 or lower. Ｓｏ　ｆａｒ Ｉ　ｈａｖe only seen machines with the regularly priced drinks.

Japan is heading towards recession again. Today I dropped by a so called Y109 store. The goods which are not labelled with a price are sold at this store sells for a flat rate of Y100．　Ｔｈｅy store I went to was called Daiso. They sell a lot stuff unusual things that is only available in Japan. They had a entire rotating rack filled with Japanese folding fans. I am sure they are made in China. I will drop by again to ｃｈｅｃｋ　ｔｈｅｍ　ｏｕｔ　（Ｉ　ｈａve already bought 2 hand painted fans at Kyoto (Y3000 - USD 35 and Y1000 - USD 11).

Holiday in Japan : To Nara

My last day in Kyoto. I have visited 7 shrines/temples and 1 castle out of 17 sites listed by UNESCO as cultural\historical sites. My favourite is Nijo castle because it was large enough to wander around for 2 hours. Two other places I liked were Ten-ryuji with its Zen garden and bamboo groves (visited yesterday) and Kiyomizu-dera (visited on first day)

Today　I will　be　going　to　Nara，　an　hour　by　train．Nara　ｉs　overshadowed　by　its　more　famous　ｎｅｉｇｈｂｏｕｒ，Kyoto　but　I　thought　a　visit　to　Japan　would　be　incomplete　without　visiting　a　second　city　important　to　Japanese　history　and　ｃｕｌｔｕｒｅ．

I　will　be　staying　4　days　in　Nara　before　moving　on　to　Hiroshima　on　25　Ｄｅｃ．

Japan Holiday ： Report from Ｋｙｏｔｏ

I　have　been　in　Kyoto　since　arrｉving　here　on　Wednesday　from　Ｔｏｋｙｏ．Kyoto　 is　considered　a　cultural　centre　of　Japan　due　to　its　many　shrines／temples 　and　historical　ｐｌａｃｅｓ．There　are　１７　Unesco　heritａge　sites here. Up to Friday I have visited only 7 sites. Some of sites are surprisingly hard to visit without your own transport. You have to take a subway to Kyoto station and from there take a bus. The bus ride can take up to 30 to 45 minutes one way. Today I hope to visit two more places.

Japan is the safest country among the 22 or 23 I have visited so far. Yesterday I saw a small child wearing　a　black　school　uniform　ａｎｄ　ａ　ｂｌａｃｋ　ｈａｔ　ｗｉｔｈ　ａ　ｒｅｄ　ｓｔｒｉｐｅ　（he could only　be　ａｂｏｕｔ 6 or 7 years old) at a bus stop. You see lots of young children travelling to and from school by themselves．

Ｅｎｇｌｉｓｈ　ｉｓ　ｎｏｔ　ｗｉｄｅｌｙ　ｕｎｄｅｒｓｔｏｏｄ　ｉｎ　Ｊａｐａｎ，　Ｄｏｎ‘ｔ　ｃｏｕｎｔ　ｏｎ　ａｎｙｏｎｅ　ｏｖｅｒ　40　ｙｅａｒｓｏｌｄ　ｔｏ　ｂｅ　ａｂｌｅ　ｔｏ　ｕｎｄｅｒｓｔａｎｄ　Ｅｎｇｌｉｓｈ．　Ｗｈｅｎｅｖｅｒ　Ｉ　ｎｅｅｄ　ｔｏ　ａｓｋ　ｓｏｍｅｏｎｅ，Ｉ　ｐｏｐ　ｉｎｔｏ　ｏｎｅ　ｏｆ　ｔｈｅ　ｍａｎｙ　24　ｈｏｕｒｓ　ｃｏｎｖｅｎｉｅｎｃｅ　ｓｔｏｒｅ．　Ａｌｍｏｓｔ　ｅｖｅｒｙｏｎｅ　ｔｈｅｒｅ　is　below　25　years　and　can　understand　some　English．　My　Japanese　language　skills　ｈａｓ　ｇｏｎｅ　ｐａｓｔ　ｆｏｕｒ　ｐｈｒａｓｅｓ；Ｅｘｃｕｓｅ　ｍｅ，Ｔｈａｎｋ　ｙｏｕ，ｇｏｏｄ　ｍｏｒｎｉｎｇ　ａｎｄ　ｇｏｏｄ　ｎｉｇｈｔ．

Holiday in Japan ：Rｅｐｏｒｔ ｆｒｏｍ Ｔｏｋｙｏ

８．００　ｐｍ，１１　Ｄｅｃ．２００９　（Ｆｒｉｄａｙ）：
Ａｓ　Ｉ　ｗａｓ　ｗａｉｔｉｎｇ　ｆｏｒ　ｔｈｅ　Ｎａｒｉｔａ　Ｅｘｐｒｅｓｓ　（ＮｅＸ）　ａｔ　Ｎａｒｉｔａ　ａｉｒｐｏｒｔ　ｔｈａｔ　ｗａｓ　ｇｏｉｎｇ　ｔｏ　ｔａｋｅ　ｍｅ　ｔｏ　ｍｙ　ｈｏｔｅｌ　ｉｎ　Ｓｈｉｎｊｕｋｕ、　Ⅰ　ｒｅａｌｉｓｅｄ　Ｉ　ｈａｄ　ｍａｄｅ　ａ　ｍｉｓｔａｋｅ　：　Ｉ　ｈａｄ　ｆｏｒｇｏｔｔｅｎ　ｔｏ　ｂｒｉｎｇ　ａｌｏｎｇ　ｍｙ　
ｃａｍｅｒａ．

Ｔｈｅ　ＮｅＸ　ｔｒａｉｎ　ａｒｒｉｖｅｓ　ａｔ　Ｓｈｉｎｊｕｋｕ　ｓｔａｔｉｏｎ．　Ｓｈｉｎｊｕｋｕ　ｓｔａｔｉｏｎ　ｈａｓ　ｂｅｅｎ　described　ａｓ　ｔｈｅ　ｂｕｓｉｅｓｔ　ｔｒａｉｎ／ｓｕｂｗａｙ　ｓｔａｔｉｏｎ　ｉｎ　ｔｈｅ　ｗｏｒｌｄ　ｗｉｔｈ　４　ｍｉｌｌｉｏｎ　ｄａｉｌｙ　ｃｏｍｍｕｔｅｒｓ。Ｉ　ｗａｓ　ｓｕｐｐｏｓｅｄ　ｔｏ　ｔａｋｅ　ａ　ｓｕｂｗａｙ（ｃａｌｌｅｄ　ａ　ｍｅｔｒｏ　ｈｅｒｅ）　ｆｏｌｌｏｗｉｎｇ　ｄｉｒｅｃｔｉｏｎｓ　ｆｒｏｍ　ｔｈｅ　ｈｏｔｅｌ　ｗｅｂｓｉｔｅ　ｂｕｔ　ｇｏｔ　ｈｏｐｅｌｅｓｓｌｙ　ｌｏｓｔ　ｉｎｓｉｄｅ　ｔｈｅ　ｓｔａｔｉｏｎ．　Ｉｔ　ｗａｓ　ｒａｉｎｉｎｇ　ａｎｄ　ｔｏｏ　ｃｏｌｄ　ｔｏ　ｗａｌｋ　ｔｏ　ｔｈｅ　ｈｏｔｅｌ　（２ｋｍ　ａｗａｙ），ｓｏ　Ｉ　ｔｏｏｋ　ａ　ｔａｘｉ　ｔｈａｔ　ｃｏｓｔ　ｍｅ　￥８９０　（ＵＳＤ　１０）。

Ｉ　ｈａｖｅ　ｂｅｅｎ　ｓｔａｙｉｎｇ　ａｔ　ａ　ｓｏ　ｃａｌｌｅｄ　ｂｕｓｉｎｅｓｓ　ｃｌａｓｓ　ｈｏｔｅｌ　ｉｎ　ｔｈｅ　Ｓｈｉｎｊｕｋｕ　ａｒｅａ　；　Ｓｕｎｒｏｕｔｅ　Ｈｉｇａｓｈｉ－Ｓｈｉｎｊｕｋｕ．　

A ｓｉｎｇｌｅ　ｒｏｏｍ　ｗｉｔｈ　ｂｒｅａｋｆａｓｔ　ｃｏｓｔｓ　￥８６００　（ａｐｐｒｏｘ．ＵＳＤ　１００）　
ｐｅｒ　ｎｉｇｈｔ．　Ｙｏｕ　ｄｏｎ‘ｔ　ｇｅｔ　ｍｕｃｈ　ｒｏｏｍ　ｆｏｒ　ＵＳＤ　１００　ｉｎ　ｔｈｅ　ｍｏｓｔ　ｅｘｐｅｎｓｉｖｅ　ｃｉｔｙ　ｉｎ　ｔｈｅ　Ｗｏｒｌｄ　（ｓｅｅ　ｌｉｎｋ）．　Ｔｈｅ　ｓｉｚｅ　ｏｆ my room is
ａｂｏｕｔ　６ｍ（２０　ｆｅｅｔ）by　３ｍ(10 feet)．　Ｔｈｅｒｅ　ｉｓ　ａ　ｌａｒｇｅ　ｂｅｄ　ｗｉｔｈ　ａｂｏｕｔ　１　ｆｅｅｔ　ｓｐａｃｅ running along ｏｎ　ｔｗｏ　ｏｐｅｎ　ｓｉｄｅｓ　ｗｉｔｈ　ｏｎｅ　ｓｉｄｅ　ｔｏ　ｔｈｅ　ｄｏｏｒ ａｎｄ the other ａｔ　ｔｈｅ　ｆｏｏｔ　ｏｆ　ｔｈｅ　ｂｅｄ　ｔｏ　ａ　ｔａｂｌｅ　ｒｕｎｎｉｎｇ　ｗｉｄｔｈ　
ｗｉｓｅ.

９・２３　ｐｍ、１４　Ｄｅｃ．２００９　（Monday）：
I have been here for four days and can confirm Tokyo`s reputation as the most expensive city in the world.

Moving around Tokyo is easy using the metro and rail. The cost varies according to distance but on average I spend about ￥500 (USD 6 ) per day.

The cheapest meal at a hole in the wall restaurant (the equivalent of a warung `food stall` in Malaysia) is USD 10.

It`s hard to find anything cheap in Tokyo. Yesterday I was at Ueno, a suburb of Tokyo. There was a huge market with lots of shops which to me was probably the cheapest place to shop in Tokyo.

Tonight I went to Akihibara famed world wide for its electronic and anime based shops /services. There were lots of Japanese girls (some were cute) handing out fliers to maid cafes. However the cutest girls are the elevator girls at Tokyo Tower I visited this afternoon. There was also a guy bowing and saying polite things outside the elevator at the main observation deck. (this site describes the elevator girls at Tokyo` Odakyu Dept. store in terms of under employment in Japan).

It is still early days in my trip (Wednesday will be my last day in Tokyo) as I will be going to four more places after Tokyo: Kyoto, Nara, Hiroshima and finally Osaka. BTW,Osaka is ranked as the 2nd most expensive city in the world after Tokyo. No doubt,I will burning through more Yen at Osaka before I leave Japan.

A 3 weeks Holiday to Japan

I am going to Japan this Friday (11 Dec.) 2009 for a 3 weeks holiday.

Everything is expensive in Japan. In 2000, I was there for a 3 day business trip. The thing I remembered was the RM 20 cup of coffee.

I have booked all my hotels through the Internet. Even a business hotel which is rated 2 star costs USD 100 per night in Tokyo. The 5 star hotels cost USD 300 or more per night.

I plan to post some stories while I am traveling through Japan.

The only thing I had thought of buying of is runnin shoes and accessories.. ASICS have their own stores in several cities in Japan.

Peang Bridge Run International Marathon Report

My preparation for the PBR IM 2009 was never going to be optimum due to the ever present right knee problem. I did almost all of my training on a treadmill and limited each session to between 3 and 5 km. Long runs were out of the question. The farthest I ran was 6.5 km and it was the longest distance I ran in two and half years. Running on the treadmill allowed me to train but there is a price to be paid as I found later during the race. Going overseas (USA between 7 to 16 Nov.and Myanmar 18 to 21 Nov.) put paid to my plan for last minute training.

In previous years, I stayed at Sri Malaysia hotel at Bayan Baru. Since last year the race start had moved from Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) to Queensbay Mall. I decided to stay at the newly opened (12 Nov.) Eastin hotel because it is located at walking distance to the starting point (200m).

The starting time of 3.30 am gave me about 3 hours sleep. I went to bed at 10.00 pm but the faint booming music from a nearby Karaoke establishment (O'Reilly KTV) at an adjacent shop lot reached my room on the 8th floor. I managed to doze off at about 11 pm. As a measure of my anxiety about this race, I set 3 alarm devices ; Hand phone, iPod and also my Timex wristwatch all set to alarm at 2.00 am.

My race plan was to run at least 16 km and finishing the remaining 5 km by walking and running. The goal was to finish within 3 hrs.

The race started on time accompanied with the beating of drums, a nice touch I think. I started to run gingerly amongst the slow pack of runners. The distance (3 km?) and time it took me to reach the bridge seemed to be forever. At this early stage, I hoped that I was able to keep running and not embarrass myself by walking so early.

Once I reacheed the bridge I felt more confident that I could keep going provided I maintained a sustainable pace. Was I running too slow or too fast for my own good? It was hard to tell at my unknown state of fitness to run 21 km. However I thought I was running quite well up the slope towards the bridge apex. Going down the slope, I sped up a bit and I saw some distance away the bridge turn mark.

I passed the turn mark (10km) and was able to check my time; 1 hr 14 minutes. I was running at a pace of 8.1 km/hr. I figured if I could maintained this pace, I should be able to complete the race in 2 hrs 35 minutes. I think I still had enough endurance to do it.

The price of training on a treadmill came at 12 km. My legs were becoming sore. The soles of my feet were the hurting the mostt. It felt as as though my soles were being pounded by rubber hose. A description of torture involving beating on the soles is give here. Training on on a treadmill was a necessity but it did not condition my legs for the impact of running on the road. I had to stop running and started walking.

I mostly walked the remaining 9 km to the finishing line. In the end I completed the race in 3 hrs 02 mi. 33 seconds.

If I run another half marathon, I still have to train on a treadmill out of necessity but I have to run the same or longer distance on the road at least once a week.

PS: There were lots of complaints last year about the race (shortage of water among them) but this year, they seemed to have fixed most of it. They were even handing out mineral bottle water instead of water in a plastic cup.

Friday's Energising Run

I could have out run the Energiser Bunny yesterday. After running 3 km on the treadmill, I was so into the "moment" that I decided to keep going. Finally stopped running after 6.0 km to minimise damage to my knee. Statistics from the treadmill:-

Distance : 6.0 km
Time : 42 min. 30 seconds
Speed : 8.5 km/hr
Calories : 252 kcal

2009 Klang Centro Community Run 11 Oct 2009 - Race report

My first race in two and half years is Klang Centro Community Run this Sunday morning. I decided to run it because the 6 km route partly goes through my "village" and to gauge my state (fitness and knee) for the Penang Bridge Run(PBR) in November 2009. There are lots of medals on offer for a first time event but I am not counting on getting one.

I managed to run continuously for the first 3.0 km but had to resort to running and walking for the next 3.0 km. I finished in 42 min, 30 seconds with an average speed of (8.5 km/hr). Out of this , I walked for about 12 minutes . Right knee was OK during the race and also afterwards. Based on this, I registered myself for the PBR (1/2 marathon).

My plan for PBR is to run continuously for 12 km in about 75 minutes. For the next 10 km, I may have to walk and run. The qualifying time is 3.5 hrs, so I should be able to finish it in 3 and 1/4 hrs even in the worst scenario of walking the last 10 km.

A short trip to Myanmar

I've had to reduce my running mileage over the past 2 weeks due to the knee problem again. On treadmill, I have reduced the distance from 4.0 km to 2.5 to 3.0km. I am hoping to bring up the distance to 4.0 or 5.0 km in the near future.

Tomorrow I am flying to Yangon in Myanmar for a 3 days visit. It has been almost ten years since my first trip to Myanmar in Dec 1999. Back then I was a tourist for two weeks managing to visit many of the major tourist places including Yangon, Mandalay, Bagan and Inle Lake. It was very poor country then despite its wealth in natural resources.

One afternoon I went for a stroll in Yangon. Along many streets and roads, there were people sitting on the pavement selling various items that were placed on mats or a piece of cloth. Later I found out that some of the sellers were civil servants such as teachers. Some of the things they were selling were their own household goods or family heirlooms.

Here is what Wikipedia said about Burma's economy:

The country is one of the poorest nations in southeastern Asia, suffering from decades of stagnation, mismanagement and isolation. Burma's GDP grows at an average rate of 2.9% annually – the lowest rate of economic growth in the Greater Mekong Subregion.

Under British administration and until the early 1960s, Burma was the wealthiest country in Southeast Asia. It was once the world's largest exporter of rice During British administration, Burma supplied oil through the Burmah Oil company. Burma also had a wealth of natural and labor resources. It produced 75% of the world's teak and had a highly literate population. The country was believed to be on the fast track to development.

That was nearly 50 years ago. The reason for the poverty and worst economic performance in South East Asia? Economic mismanagement, exploitation by the ruling military junta in power since 1962.

Such is the prevailing suspicion and paranoia of foreigners, I have been only be granted a three months business visa (single entry).

News about Myanmar can be found here.

Training Week - 19 to 25 Jan 2009

I had a reasonably good week of running. I do all of my weekday running on a treadmill.

Monday - 3.5 km, speed from 8.0 to 9.1 km/hr.

Wednesday - 5.0 km , speed from 8.8 to 9.1 km/hr. Running 5.0 km is a milestone if sorts for me. I think the last time, I ran more than 4.0 km was in June/July 2007.

Friday - only managed to complete 2.4km , speed from 8.8 to 9.1 km/hr. It was not a good running day as mentally I was out of it. Perhaps it was due to the forthcoming four day weekend

Saturday - rest day

Sunday - I was planning to run today but the heavens had other ideas. It started to rain heavily at 5.30 pm and this put a stop to my plan.

Tomorrow is Chinese New Year.

I wish a Happy,Prosperous and Healthy Chinese and Tet (Vietnam) new year to all of my friends.

A Runner's Wishful Thinking

I left the office later than normal today although it was my running day. Tt was already 6.40 pm when I switched off my PC but I decided to go to the gym. After changing and warming up, I started running on the treadmill at 6.55 pm. I was glad that I decided to run despite the late start. I managed to complete 3.5 km and best of all I could run at 9.0 km/hr with a moderate effort. I felt great after completing 3.5 km.

While doing my cooldown stretching, I thought to myself "If I was free of the chronic knee problem then I would be able to train consistently. It was possible that within one month, I would be able to run at 10.0 km/hr (min.) for at at least 5 to 6 km". It was wishful thinking on my part as it stands now. I would try to run as often as possible but it is unlikely I will be running any races this year.

Sri Lanka Trip = Post #6 (30 Dec 2008 to 2 Jan 2009)

This is my last posting about my trip to Sri Lanka.

I spent 3 days in Hikkaduwa but I wished it could have been longer. For someone like me who constantly needs to do "something", spending 3 days on a beach quickly becomes boring. But I liked the slower pace in Hikkaduwa. There was not much to do except walk along the main road after breakfast. After that I read some books, go out to Lunch at the best restaurant (REFRESH) in the area. After lunch, continue reading and later take a nap. In the evenng at about 5.00 pm, I go running on the only road in the village where the guest house was located. But I had to return to Colombo on the 30 Dec. because I had reserved 31 Dec as my shopping day.

I took the train from Hikkaduwa to Colombo. It was not going to be a comfortable journey. The trip started badly with the train arriving 45 minutes late at noon. Secondly the train was full and there were no empty seats left for anyone boarding at Hikkaduwa. Here I have to explain that for all train classes except for the Observation Coach for the Colombo-Kandy-Colombo route, there are no eserved seats. Basically you have to scramble and hustle to get a seat after you board the coach. I had to stand up near the door for the entire 2 hour train trip to Colombo.

In Colombo, I only stayed one night at the same guest house (Mrs. Mendis) but I decided to move out the next day as more people were going to stay and I was taking up the whole room which had three beds.

The next day (31 Dec.) I moved to a hotel in Colombo city. This was my last and only day for shopping in Sri Lanka. Immediately after I had checked in and left my bags in the room, I went to two shops Barefoot and Odel to shop. I am not much of a shopper and in less than 2 hours I completed my shopping errand.

On 1 Jan 2009, the day of my return flight to Malaysia, there was one last surprise and inconvenience. My taxi had to stop near a military check point located 500m away from the airport terminal. It turns out that no public vehicles were allowed to drive to the terminal. Everyone get down from their vehicle, open their luggage for manual inspection and after every bag has been checked allowed to board a bus to the terminal.

After spending 3 weeks in Sri Lanka, I can conclude that it is a generally safe for tourists despite the ongoing war between the government and the Tamil Tigers. There are lots of things to see and do.

Sri Lanka Trip = Post #5 (29 Dec 2008)

I hereby list the top ten questions that Sri Lankans asked foreigners( in order of the most commonly asked)

1. Which country are you from ?
2. What is your job?
3. How much is your salary?
4. Are you married ?
5. How long have been in Sri Lanka?
   
6. Where are you going?
7. How old are you?
8. Where do you stay?
9. How much is the air ticket from xxx?
   
10. Sri Lanka, good ?

I have been asked one or more of the above ten questions, at least a dzoen times over the past 17 days. In my case,the locals also ask two more questions:-

1. Do you want to marry a Sri Lanka girl?
2. Are you from Japan ? (sometimes, replace Japan with Taiwan, Thailand)

I am now at Hikkaduwa near a beach and staying at El Dorado guest house, 150 m from the main road. The guest house is very good value at only Rupee 850 (USD 7.80 = RM 30) per night. Yesterday I did a quick 3 km run along the road in front of the guest house. The road runs besid4es many houses in the village butis a good running route with two to three undulating sections.

Sri Lanka Trip = Post #4 (24 to 25 Dec 2008

I am still at Nuwara Eliya (NE). I have been here for 3 days which is too long as I don't have much to do. The places to go are to tea plantation (been there). Single tree mountain (won't go climbing because of knee problem) Horton Plains national and World's End View (can't go as it is too costly, USD 60 for car and entrance fee, running out of money) and botanical gardens (been there).

The locals described Nuwara Eliya as "Little England". The cold climate (18 deg. C daytime temperature) certainly fits English weather in Spring or early Autumm. But sometimes, is a bit hard to view this place as being England when a passing bus or truck belches a copious amounts of black smoke. The black smoke is the result of a struggling engine to burn fuel in the 1850 m altitude.

I will be leaving NE tomorrow morning. At first I was planning to go direct to Galle on the ancient rust bucket bus non A/C (8 hour travel time). Fortunately I came to my senses yesterday and found out a better alternative. I will take a private minibus hopefully with a working A/C to Colombo (5 hours). From Colombo, I will take another bus to Galle which will take about two and half hours. I think I can survive a 2.5 hrs trip on a non A/C bus.

Sri Lanka Trip = Video Post #1

This video was taken during the performance of Kandyan dances at the Lake House, Kandy.

Sri Lanka Trip = Photos Post #1

Photo 1 : Dambulla caves Exterior

Photo 2: Sigiriya rock (the palace in on top of the 20om high rock)
Photo 3: Then murals inside Dambulla caves

Photo 4: View of Kandy city from elevation