4th February to 12th February 2022
I keep inviting our dear friends to visit Sri Lanka to use the opportunity of us being here, to help them organise and manage their trips. When I told one of my university friends in Czech last summer, she was delighted and said she may come with her traveling buddy she has met 20 years ago.
On a ‘Zoom Christmas punch’ video call about 2 weeks before Christmas I suggested to the wider group to make it to Sri Lanka. They agreed and started to plan the trip of a lifetime; traveling with friends of 30 years, adventure not to be missed and something to look forward to.
Superkočky (Superkotchky) or in English, Supercats, was born. Within a week, a group of 7 was formed and on 24th December they bought the plane tickets – what a great Christmas present to themselves.
We started planning logically, methodically: A wish list from each of them, the decision how to travel (cars, trains or a small bus), what activities to do and what to see, what route to take, budget, what accommodation to stay in… you name it. You can imagine, not an easy task with 8 different personalities but by mutual respect and listening we decided to suit all and a plan was made, the bus and a guide was booked and all was in motion.
Last minute tasks: Insurance, visa, PCR, health declaration, packing and train tickets to Prague airport. Unfortunately, one of them had a positive pre departure PCR and had to stay behind. This was a big a disappointment for all involved so only 6 of them set off from their homes full of expectations.
I “travelled” with them to the airport and followed them on FlightRadar24 on both flights from Prague to Dubai, Dubai to Colombo. They arrived on Friday 4th February at 8.25am and it took nearly 2.5hours for them to get out of the airport for a hug. A bus with a driver and a guide (our usual family driver, Ishar, as he is actually a certified tour guide) was waiting for us all and as soon as we got on, we were on our way to the Millennium Elephant Orphanage. They were tired, stressed, hungry, hot, bothered, overwhelmed – you name it.
By the time we reached the elephants with some food from my kitchen and some peace in the air conditioned bus for 2.5 hours, there were composed and had an unforgettable time with elephant Raja and his mahout. They have never experienced anything like being so close to the big mammal, learning about him and spending time with him. Having the mahout climb a palm to get a fresh king coconuts down for us to enjoy was just amazing. Arriving at our first accommodation near Sigiriya rock with a swimming pool was lovely; an opportunity to take a dip and taste their first Sri Lankan dinner – a grilled tuna steak with salad and fried rice.
The second day we went to Dambulla Cave Temples – the girls loved it, especially the empty caves full of Lord Buddhas. A celebration of 30 years’ friendship (we started at the University of Olomouc in September 1991) by the pool with Czech “Christmas” loaf and tropical fruit whilst reminiscing was unforgettable. Trying to climb the famous rock Pidurangala for sunset was one of the toughest for some, especially as one had 4 slipped discs, and some a fear of heights. We held a small ritual of “letting go” at the top with things we wish to let go from our lives. We wrote it on a piece of paper and instead of burning it, which was fire risk, we tore it in small pieces and throw it into the wind. That night was the first typical Sri Lankan vegetarian curry dinner for the girls to taste and we drank nearly a whole bottle of pink gin with tonic. For the first time in ages, the girls made me drink and I giggled my way through the evening!
The next day a 3.5-hour visit to a Herbal Garden, learning a lot about plants and herbs, was a highlight for some of us. A Kandyan dancing show followed in the evening, and then tasting delicious Tamil Dosai on the balcony of one of the hotels drinking delicious thick mixed fruit juice – (the girls loved anything to do with tropical fruits). An evening walk around the Temple of the Tooth Relic was next, again talking about our lives. Having been given free Lotus flowers to enjoy by one of the stall holders, we placed them gently onto the lake.
A night in an Eco retreat above Kandy was very calming and then in the morning they dropped me at Kandy train station before continuing to Ella with their guide. I had some meetings to attend and teaching to facilitate, so for the first time in Sri Lanka I travelled alone, but knowing that my friends were safe and would have more fun times together. I travelled first class, the 3 hour journey to Colombo Fort Station costing the princely sum of the equivalent of £2.50.
I re-joined them on Friday morning in Weligama (down South, again travelled on my own by train, the 2nd class ticket for the 3.5 hours journey costing about one Pound). Unfortunately I met a bitterly disappointed group that had spent 6 hours on a whale watching trip without seeing a single whale or dolphin – only two turtles.
However, to top their trip in Sri Lanka, I booked us into the 5 star hotel Le Grand in Galle, which didn’t disappoint. The rooms each had a balcony and a lovely sea view, the food was delicious and the well-kept grounds with a nice swimming pool were just fabulous. We had a super time. A walk in Galle town with some shopping was a must, however seeing the lighthouse in the dark and in the rain was not as romantic as we hoped for.
Morning breakfast was another delicious feast and our drive to Colombo on their last day of Saturday 12th February took only 2.5hours on the highway. We managed to get upstairs to our apartment with all their suitcases so they could pack and repack before their travel. As a last activity in Sri Lanka, we had a Tuk Tuk tour into the old Colombo city, all to do with the port and its history – fascinating. Curry dinner cooked by Steve and Emi was delicious, and being joined by our best friend Mala, who I wanted them to meet, was very special indeed.
Goodbyes are never easy, but I felt it was a super trip for them and me. They learned a lot about themselves and each other – a group where all of us are individual, but we somehow fit together and complement each other. We have so many stories to tell and so many pictures to share. We will continue when we meet again in summer in Czech and are already planning our 40th anniversary – most likely in the USA.
No pre departure PCR test was needed, but as they are teachers, they have to do an antigen test each Monday and Wednesday morning. To our surprise, two of them tested positive on Monday after their arrival so had extended break with 7 days in isolation/quarantine. We tested ourselves and were all thankfully negative.
Rennie