2-4th December 2011 - Days 1-3

Heathrow Airport

Day 1 and Day 2

Cat talks to a Guide, a Senior Guide and two Little Friends

After a long and tiring journey that took over most of the 2nd and the 3rd December we arrived safely in Colombo. We were met at the airport by Kush (International Commissioner), Shantha (Chief Commissioner) and Yamuna (our homestay host). After a quick stop for some food we were taken to the Sri Lankan Girl Guide Head Quarters where we were warmly welcomed by a group of Little Friends (Brownies), Guides, Senior Guides, Youth Committee and other HQ volunteers. We were given flowers, hand made cards, drinks and welcome cakes and had the opportunity to chat to everyone who was there!

We then went with Yamuna to her house where we are staying for our time in Colombo. The house is beautiful with marble floors, an indoor fish pond and an outdoor pool! We are staying in three bedrooms which are also lovely. We spent the evening relaxing in and around the pool and looking at our plans for our first training session on Monday.





Day 3

Our leader working hard

Team Sri Lanka in the sun! :)

Today was surprise day!! We had been told just before we left that we would be having a surprise and all we knew was that we had to bring our swimsuits. After breakfast we took two trishaws (tuktuks) to the Mount Lavinia Hotel. The journey was a bit hairy weaving in and out of the busy traffic - honking your horn here seems to mean "I'm behind you!" as a warning just as you overtake. It was an exhilarating ride and an exciting start to our surprise. We spent the day by the pool, which overlooked the beach and was surrounded by palm trees. The water was lovely, lunch was delicious and we had plenty of relaxing time before the hard work starts tomorrow with our first training sessions.

Hoppers for dinner

On the way back our booked trishaws didn't turn up so we decided to haggle with the ones outside. Their starting price was more than double what we paid but after some more haggling and a bit of an argument between the drivers we managed to get ourselves tuktuks for almost the price we should have paid. On the way home though both tuktuks broke down, with Vicky's, Jo's and Cat's tuktuk having to stop for petrol and both having to ask for directions - luckily we made it home ok though more than an hour later than we were expected back.

For dinner we had hoppers - which are a cross between a pancake and a crumpet, shaped as a big dish. We had them with chicken curry, coconut sambal (a spicy dish of fresh coconut, chilli, garlic, salt and lime) and then we ate some more with butter and mango jam- yum! Lots of fresh pineapple for dessert, and freshly ground Sri Lankan coffee finished it off nicely.

We've spent the evening preparing all our resources, practicing some songs and role plays and sorting everything out for tommorrow. We're really looking forward to our first training session and hope it goes well!

Resources ready to be sorted