Parties start after dusk, end at dawn

I'm in Unawatuna, Sri Lanka right now. Unawatuna is located on the Southern coast of Sri Lanka, so you can't see sunsets over the Indian Ocean on Unawatuna beach. If you really wanna see a beautiful sunset over the Indian Ocean, you need to ask a tuk-tuk driver to take you a view point. The photo shows a sunset view of Unawatuna. I took this photo a few days ago on the beach. During the day people lie and sunbathe to get brown on beach. Most of them leap to their feet and started getting ready to go home or out to a pub somewhere between 05:30 to 06:30 pm. Beach Parties start after dusk and end at dawn. There're so many party animals here in Unawatuna.

Jungle Beach in Unawatuna, Sri Lanka

I took this photo on Jungle Beach in Unawatuna, Sri Lanka the day before yesterday. Locally called "Jungle Beach" is well-hidden beach areas and has a couple of secluded beaches behind Rumassala Sanctuaries Jungle in Unawatuna. The first beach of Jungle Beach became a tad popular nowadays among the people who are getting sick of touristic beaches, but many of them don't know about the second beach of Jungle Beach, so normally only a few people on the second beach. The photo shows the second beach. The second beach is super-well-hidden and is located right behind the rocky area. The day before yesterday I was asked directions or kind of like that three times by Euro-Americans.

Sri Lankan Rice and Curry lunch packet

I'm in Unawatuna where is a small village on the Southern coast of Sri Lanka and have been having a lot of yummy Sri Lankan cuisine. The photo shows Sri Lankan lunch packet of Rice and Curry. I'd say rice and curry is one of the most traditional and the most popular food here in Sri Lanka. I bought the packet at a mom-and-pop grocery store on Yaddehimulla Road near Sanasa Bank at Amarasingharamaya temple. A lunch packet of Rice and curry is normally coated with plastic and is wrapped in newspaper like the photo shows. I took a photo of the packet before I opened it up in my balcony.

Wine Shop

I took this photo near "the Wine Shop" in Unawatuna, Sri Lanka. I've heard that locally called wine shops or wine stores here in Sri Lanka are a places where you can legally buy alcohol drinks like cans of beer, bottles of beer or wine except for the full moon Poya days. The wine shop in Unawatuna is located along Matara Road near the southern end of Unawatuna beach. If you'll get there from the Strand, it's on the left. If you'll go there from beach, cross the street.

Yaddehimulla Road

I'm in Unawatuna, Sri Lanka right now and took this photo on Yaddehimulla Road (a.k.a. the Strand). To get here a few days ago, I took a tuk-tuk from Hikkaduwa. The tuk-tuk driver didn't exactly know where Yaddehimulla Road is. It's a tiny street which looks like a side track of busy noisy Matara Road, so I know it's easy to miss the turning point, but there're some check-points. After passed a post office on the left, then passed Sri Lanka telecom on the right, and after that just look carefully on the right side. You can see a narrow vehicle trail near a bus stop. That's the one. So turn right and find your accommodation, but just be careful around this time of the year. A lot of accommodations here are fully booked. I've been seeing a lot of tourists who arrived in Unawatuna without hotel reservations and couldn't find a place to stay. They look extremely exhausted. Carrying around heavy luggages under the sizzling sun is such a tall order than your expectation.

Get off the beaten track

I'm in Unawatuna, Sri Lanka right now. Unawatuna is a well-hidden village on the Southern coast of Sri Lanka. The point is Unawatuna beach is not along the high street and is rare here in Sri Lanka. That is why people call Unawatuna as "the secluded beach" or "the Strand" or something like that. Not only that, but there's another beach here in Unawatuna. It's locally called "Jungle Beach" and is super-well-hidden. The beach is behind a tropical jungle like the photo shows. It is really off the beaten path, so is a little too hard to get the tiny beach for first-timers. To get there, you'll feel like walking on an animal trail, because of a rocky area, humongous beehives and then some. Yep, the beach is really off the beaten track, and I must admit that half the fun is getting there. Remember, Jungle Beach has two separated areas. The ultra-well-hidden beach is right behind the rocky area.

Make a comeback

This morning I took a tuk-tuk and moved to Unawatuna from Hikkaduwa, Sri Lanka. It took about an hour and is really good to come back here and to be here after such a long time. I arrived in my hotel around noon and made a beeline to my favourite restaurant to have some arrival beer. I took this photo at my table while I was drinking bottles of Lion there. It was kinda little bit hard to find the restaurant, coz Unawatuna beach has been changed quite a lot. Now, it has long white sand beach again and has so many tourists. Congrats, Unawatuna, you've made a comeback. I'm glad to see it for the locals who live in this village. When I came here in November 2010, this area was almost eaten away by the Indian Ocean and I still remember a lot of stories that I've heard from the locals and their life and hard times. I know breakwater constructions or something similar ruined Mother Nature, say Coral Reef, but we have to battle wagainst Mother Nature sometimes. This kind of issue is something of a double-edged sword, but occasionally there's no other way.

First world problems

I took this photo in Hikkaduwa, Sri Lanka a few days ago. There was a large sea turtle in the Indian Ocean. I've been staying in Hikkaduwa since 14th February and I saw six sea turtles so far. I saw a couple of sea turtles together yesterday around 10:30. The water was crystal clear and was shallow near the shore. The point where I took this photo was about 10 to 15 meters from the shore and the depth of the water was around my thighs. I wish I had a waterproof camera. I know it sounds like a first world problem, though.

Ayurvedic Balm Siddhalepa

The photo shows Sri Lankan Ayurvedic Balm Siddhalepa. The balm is strongly considered to relieve relatively common health problem such as colds, flu, headaches, muscle pain, swelling, and then some. Price vary by its weight. The small one on the photo weighs 2.5g and cost 25 Sri Lankan Rupees, The large one weighs 50g and cost 220 Sri Lankan Rupees. So now, how come I needed these balm. It's a little embarrassed to say that, but I fell out of the bed on the first day in Hikkaduwa, Sri Lanka and the left side of my face swelled up like a molehill. The accident happened on the 15th February around zero dark thirty. Yep, it was just a few days ago, but I'm getting better and better due to Siddhalepa. A Sri Lankan local said that the smallest size of Siddhalepa is the most popular here in Sri Lanka, because it's enough to relieve the health problem.

What do you think the average price of it?

I'm in Hikkaduwa, Sri Lanka on vacation and the photo shows my the day before yesterday's lunch: Sri Lankan Rice and Curry. Hikkaduwa is on South West coast of Sri Lanka and there are so many tourists in its locally called tourist area. From my point of view, several places around here are grossly overpriced. If you come here, you'll see soon enough. Just my two cents, but when in a touristic town like here, you'd better think first what you really want to do and how much you can pay for it. If you have to ask, you can't afford it sometimes. Anyway for example in my case, Rice and Curry on the photo shows cost 120 Sri Lankan Rupees and a cup of authentic Ceylon tea that I had after the meal cost 20 Sri Lankan Rupees. Sri Lanka is the country formerly known as Ceylon.

NO LITTERING

I took this photo on Hikkaduwa beach in Sri Lanka. When I walk around on the beach yesterday, I saw a large sea turtle which was swimming at Coral Reef. It was this close to the shore. I thought that if there is heaven on earth, it is here; Sri Lanka. But wait a second, what is this? I noticed that the white sand beach was dotted with some cigarette butts. Grow up guys, beach is not your ashtray. It reminds me. I've talked about discarded cigarette butts with my English acquaintance several months ago. Generally speaking, we don't litter rubbish on a street, but a lot of smokers throw cigarette butts on a street. Are cigarette butts only okay rubbish which are allowed to litter on a street?

Coral Reef, Glass Bottom Boats, Sunset, and Peace

I went to see a sunset over Hikkaduwa Coral Reef, Sri Lanka yesterday. My hotel is just 20 meters away from Coral Reef, which means just cross a street or kind of thing, so I can reach to this stunning place on foot. Oh, you can take a glass bottom boat here if you would like. Aroud this time of the day, a lot of boats are tied up like the photo shows, though. After I took this photo, a couple of young Sri Lankan guys started to talk to me. They said they were from Northern part of Sri Lanka and said they couldn't travel much due to the civil war, but current president cleared up the confusion in 2009, with that they are on vacation now and are overjoyed to take a lot of photos or everything. They also said it was their first time to visit Hikkaduwa. Right after the conversation with them I realised that the sun has already set. Their story was that worth hearing.

Hikkaduwa beach

I'm in Hikkaduwa, Sri Lanka and I took this photo this morning. I came here from Colombo by tuk-tuk yesterday. It took three hours or so. This is my 7th time to visit Sri Lanka, and of course I've been here before, but I haven't stayed here. So this time I'm gonna stay here for seven nights and will move to Unawatuna on the 21st. Hikkaduwa is on the South West coast of Sri Lanka. You can enjoy relaxing time on the beach during the day, can see the sun set over the Indian Ocean, and can enjoy fun night life at night.

The ceiling is the night sky

Last night I visited Katunayake, Sri Lanka from Colombo just for dinner and good beer. Katunayake is a city where Bandaranayake International Airport is. The photo shows a hotel which is located just a five-minute drive from the airport. The hotel has a couple of swimming pools and an open-air swim-up bar & restaurants. Lounge chairs and tables are spread out on the pool side area and I had nice Sri Lankan dinner beside the swimming pool where the photo shows. It's a quite dreamy place. You know, it's like the ceiling of the swim-up bar & restaurant is the night sky. I could see Orion, other stars and the beautiful moon from my dinner table. Oh, it's a full moon tonight. I should enjoy a moon-watching dinner tonight, but without beer. It's a Poya Day in Sri Lanka. Drinking alcohol is not allowed on every full moon day.

Shit was about to hit the fan

I flew in Colombo, Sri Lanka the day before yesterday. This is my 14th country on this long vacation and also this is the 7th time I have visited Sri Lanka. I've been here many times and I have spent 144 days here in the past, so I didn't make special preparations for this trip. I just took a plane from Bangkok, Thailand and waited in a line to get through immigration. Shit was about to hit the fan there. I totally didn't know about the fairly new immigration system in Sri Lanka. Now, almost everybody need a visa and I was the one who had to apply for the ETA in advance. The information came from left field straight from the immigration officer's mouth. To make a long story short, I could manage the horrible situation. Thankfully, I had one of the hard currencies which is payable in cash instead of USD. By the way, my hotel room has a fan on the ceiling. It is very nice sleeping under the fan.

Out with the old, in with the new

I'm in Colombo, Sri Lanka safe and sound. This morning I took a Sri Lankan breakfast at my hotel's restaurant and after that went to Odel Fashion Store to buy a bag and postcards. My old bag was broken last night in Bangkok, Thailand. So I just got rid of the old one and bought a new one at famous Odel Fashion Store. Out with the old, in with the new. The new one is baby blue coloured and says Sri Lanka Land Like No Other. The saying has hit the nail on the head. Anyhow, my new bag can be a nice souvenir as well. By the way, I took this photo in front of Maradana Railway Station on the way to my hotel. My hotel is just a few minute-walk from here.

Enjoy their late checkout service

I'm in Bangkok, Thailand and stay in an accommodation on Soi Rambuttri near the world-famous Khaosan Road. My room is on the 5th floor and the photo shows the view from the windows. Today I will check out here and will go to the airport. I already asked a receptionist if I could ask them late checkout, they said yes if I could pay 365 THB for that. My flight is 22:05, so I think late checkout is a better idea in this case. If so, I can take a shower after spending a day in Bangkok, plus I can recharge my batteries for the rest. Remember, it's hot here, you need to take a shower after walking. Anyway, I will fly in Colombo, Sri Lanka around midnight. One of my favourite countries in the world.

Mr. and Ms. Tourist

The photo shows one of my souvenirs which I bought on Khaosan Road in Bangkok, Thailand this evening. A colourful hat looks like a stupa. I know the things which are sold in the area like here is way more expansive than the things which are sold in many other areas on the map, but I wanted to have one. To be honest, I speak Thai and I tried so hard to negotiate the price in Thai, so don't worry about that. It wasn't that expensive. By the way, I described Khaosan area as "the area like here", can you imagine why? This area is extremely different from normal other areas in Bangkok or all over Thailand. I've been to Thailand 28 times. Someone like me say this area is extremely touristic, then you can trust me can't you? Mark my words. You can be an anonymous faceless tourist here in Khaosan and Rambuttri area, Bangkok, Thailand. Hello, Mr. and Ms. Tourist.

Pick your poison at a bar

I took this photo at a bar on Khaosan Road (Thai: ถนนข้าวสาร) in Bangkok, Thailand yesterday. My train from Korat (a.k.a. Nakhon Ratchasima) arrived in Hua Lamphong Railway Station around 10 to four in the afternoon. First of all, I took a tuk-tuk from the station to get to my accommodation. Then, I just left my luggages in my room and walked toward Khaosan Road. It's just a five-minute walk to get there. I had lunch on the train, but without beer, so I was dying to drink cold Thai beer when I was walking on Khaosan Road. So I went into the bar for a large bottled Chang beer.

Khaosan Road: ถนนข้าวสาร

This morning @10:18 I took a second class AC train from Nakhon Ratchasima (a.k.a. Korat), North-Eastern Thailand to Bangkok. Now, I'm in my temporally room near the world-famous short walking street named Khaosan Road (Thai: ถนนข้าวสาร) where the photo shows. The street is also known as the "backpacker ghetto" in Bangkok or in South East Asia. Yep, that's the one, you know. My current accommodation is not exactly on the famous Khaosan Road, but it's a five-minute walk in the sun. My current accommodation has two rooftop swimming pools and own restaurant with relaxing atmosphere.

Time does fly fast, doesn't it?

The photo shows the inside of a second class AC wagon of North Eastern Line Railway in Thailand. I took this train from Hua Lamphon Railway station in the capital of Thailand, Bangkok and came here Nakhon Ratchasima (a.k.a. Korat) on the 20th of January. Taking a seat in a second class AC wagon costs 60 THB more than taking a seat in a second class fan wagon for one way for this route. In the meanwhile, I will have to return to Bangkok tomorrow. Time does fly fast, doesn't it? But, I have another 25 hours or so for the rest of my stay in Korat. Good times are killing me. Really.

I want them postmarked from each place

The photo shows the nearest post office from my current apartment in Nakhon Ratchasima (a.k.a. Korat), Thailand. There are a couple of post offices within walking distance from my apartment, so getting there is quite easy and no problems, but there aren't so many shops where I can buy postcards here in Korat. Things like this happened in Bangkok as well, though. I love sending postcards and I personally believe that it's a good way to show my recipients where I am and what I am doing. Of course I know everything can be done at my finger tips if I use my iPad mini, but still. Postcards. Is it too good to last?

Banana flower salad: ยำหัวปลี

The photo shows Banana Flower Salad with Fresh Thai Herbs. It's named ยำหัวปลีสมุนไพร in Thai and is shortly called ยำหัวปลี (Pronounciation: Yam Hua Plee). I bought it at Wat Boon Night Bazaar (Thai: ตลาดไนท์บาซ่าร์ วัดบูรพ์) in Nakhon Ratchasima (a.k.a. Korat), Thailand last night for dinner. In my travel experience, banana flower is edible and is used as a vegetable in Thailand and Sri Lanka. In Sri Lanka, you can see banana flower in curry. In fact, banana flower is considered a very good healthy vegetable in these countries.

Make the necessary preparations

I took this photo in front of a bank in Nakhon Ratchasima (a.k.a. Korat), Thailand. It's already been 17 days since I arrived, and I have four days left. On Sunday, I will take a 2nd class AC train to the capital Bangkok and will stay there for a couple of nights. By the way, compare to Bangkok or entertainment beach resort Pattaya, currency exchange is a bit of a pain here in Korat. Currency exchange booths are not spread out all over the map. Plus, going to a bank to exchange money is not like "in and out". You need to make the necessary preparations beforehand: passport, address and telephone number in Thailand or something like that.

Learn the ropes

I'm in Nakhon Ratchasima (a.k.a. Korat), North-Eastern Thailand and stay in a serviced apartment. The apartment provides fresh towels, soap bars, packs of shampoo, loo rolls, bottles of water for daily use. So when I come back to my room, my room is always cleaned up, and fresh towels are normally put on the bed. The towels are folded vary in shape. The photo shows one example of many. It looks so cute, doesn't it? I've learned the ropes, so I can fold towels like this any time I want. Yay!

A road name sign in Korat has a touch of city gates

The photo shows a road name sign in Nakhon Ratchasima (a.k.a. Korat), Thailand. I took this photo across from the Chumphon Gate (Thai: ประตูชุมพล). The road name signs and bus stop signs in Nakhon Ratchasima have a touch of city gates like the photo shows. The road that the sign indicates is Chomphon Road (Thai: ถนนจอมพล). There are so many shops on both side of the Chomphon Road. You can find places for the Internet as well as places to eat and drink.

Steam locomotive No. 261

The photo shows an extant steam locomotive No. 261. This ultra cool steam locomotive is currently not operated like 'twas used to, but is still displayed right in front of Nakhon Ratchasima Railway Station in North-Eastern Thailand. Today I went to the station just to take a photo of the steam locomotive. I know it sounds like a geek, but I wanted to. On the day of arrival, shortly after got out of the station, I noticed that there was an extant steam locomotive, but a tuk-tuk driver made me hurry, so I couldn't take a photo of it. I think I went there at the right time. There weren't many people around the steam loco, so I could take a photo of it without crowd.

ส้มโอ

The photo shows one of my favorite Thai fruits ส้มโอ (Pronounciation: Som-O). It's a citrus fruit, tastes like mixture of grapefruit and sweet orange, but is much bigger than them. I bought this at Wat Boon Night Bazaar (Thai: ตลาดไนท์บาซ่าร์ วัดบูรพ์) in Nakhon Ratchasima (a.k.a. Korat), Thailand. ส้มโอ is considered the largest citrus fruit in the world and has thick green peel. Almost all venders in Thailand sell flesh of ส้มโอ on a tray exactly like the photo shows. With that, all I need to do is just wash my hands, peel off the plastic wrap and then eat. I really love this fruit, really.