Vanuatu is a sleepy collection of 83 islands in the Melanesian area of the South Pacific. It retains much of its intrinsic charm and tourists seems to be the more discerning Australians. It is visited by cyclones from time to time and due to Cyclone Ivy in 2025, our cruise ship wasn’t able to access…
Things to Do in Colombo – top attractions, food and chill out experiences. Colombo makes a great central point. You fly in, stay a few days, travel to Jaffna, return to Colombo. Then take the train out to Badulla, come back and do a few more things. Then pop down to Galle and see elephants…
Sri Lanka stretches 432 kms long and 224 kms wide and there is plenty to see all over the country. Here is a guide to Galle in the south and the reputed best national safari parks (Yala for leopards and Udawalawe for elephants) in southern Sri Lanka. How to get there? We arrived in southern…
Halpewatte Tea Plantation in the Uva district near Badulla. Choose from a factory or plantation tour or blend your own tea
When to go? When visiting Sri Lanka, you may consider juggling the time of year with the monsoon seasons. The northeast monsoon, which affects Jaffna and the north east regions occurs December to February. We went in October/November and it was perfect Is Jaffna Safe to Visit? Jaffna feels quite different from other towns in…
Dune de L’Orient – a fabulous example of renovated colonial architecture
Chennai (Madras) has a population of 11 million people, it is the home of Royal Enfield motorbikes and is the capital of Tamil Nadu. Probably not a first choice of tourist destination, however if you are here, why not make the most of it? Grit your teeth and hail a tuk tuk. Agree a price…
Goa is very different to other Indian states and is the reason it is a popular tourist destination. Hotels are reasonably priced, weather is warm, as an ex Portuguese colony tourists are made welcome and the climate is generally relaxed and easy going. Public transport leaves a lot to be desired so the roads and…
What to do in Valencia when you have a few days free