Trincomalee

This morning we took a ride from Uppuveli to Trincomalee, about 6km South. We parked the bike and took to the streets to find some brekky snacks and sat at the beautiful Dutch Bay to eat. Not a bad start to any day.

We then took a stroll up through Fort Frederick which, because it's military controlled, is dedicated to an army camp. As we wandered the streets of this surreal place we thought it a prime example of the military focus that exists in the North-Eastof Sri Lanka more than anywhere else we have been.

The number of police check points is greater here but in saying that, they generally just give us a big smile as we slow down and then wobble their head, indicating that we can dodge the road block and keep going.

Koneswaram Kovil, Trincomalee

At the far end of Fort Frederick, up a hill and past a whole bunch of shops selling useless crap like we saw at Adams peak, we found Koneswaram Kovil, a Hindu temple. After leaving all of our possessions with some Army guys, at their request, we wandered barefoot up to the temple. There we found a building covered in seemingly small figures and one giant gold statue. We followed the path around the side of the temple to Swami Rock or "lovers leap" as its has been nicknamed. A 130m high shear rock face which drops straight down to the ocean.

After gathering our stuff back from the Army guys we heading back to the bike. On our way I somehow managed to drop my helmet and water bottle off the edge of the road/fort walls and onto the rocky beach below. After deciding it was too high to jump down, we found a drain to climb down only to be stopped by the army guard at the gateway entrance. Once we used our best pointing and smiling he used his best pointing and head wobbling to indicate that while I wasn't allowed down there, Chris was. Like spiderman Chris jumped down, collected my things and returned exhausted. This being sick thing is really taking it out of him. After, we got a little lost in the back streets while attempting a seemingly simple little loop of Trincomalee to another bay and on to the harbour. It turns out to get to the harbour you have to go through a Navel checkpoint which includes a road block. We rode towards the checkpoint looking confused and did a U-turn only to have a smiling Naval man point us through the checkpoint. So, we did yet another U-turn (we're getting very good at them) as they raised the boom gate for us to ride under. The unimpressive harbour was quick to lose our attention so we headed the 6km back to the Resort for a pot of tea.

As more and more people, and loud obnoxious ones at that, arrived at our restaurant, I became more and more frustrated. I think the crappy weather, Chris being sick and being a little homesick all came together to create an upset Lauren. After escaping to our bedroom to be consoled by Chris I gathered myself enough so that we could escape the construction noise and go for a walk. After wandering into Uppuveli town, escorted by a friendly dog the entire way, we thought it'd be refreshing to dig our toes into the sand and walk back along the beach. It rained because Mother Nature figured the weather had not gotten to me enough already. By the time we went past the shipwreck and arrived back at our place of temporary residence we were drenched. So drenched that I went swimming fully clothed and emerged little wetter than when I had gone in. Our dog escort finally said goodbye as we went inside to dry off then ordered a delicious rice and curry for dinner. I'm getting very used to this service where we can order whatever we want, on the menu or not, and they will create it for us. Spoilt.

Construction at sunset, Aqua Inn