Day 15 – Stage 2 of the Pekoe Trail and my final blog of our trip

By marcia summers On

Yesterday’s Lesson Lesson learnt from yesterday – set off as early as possible, and than even earlier, and be walking the trails by sunrise – we were out by 05.45 and heading by tuktuk for the start …

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Day 12 – Visit to WDC, the shop Sthree and Krystyna’s wonderful weaving 

By marcia summers On

Women’s Development Centre (WDC) Women’s development censtaff were waiting for us when we arrived first thing in the morning to discuss the programmes they are working on and which we are supporting. Suzana and Gill …

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Day 11 – our colourful day in Manahapa Temple and pre-school with Rev. Ragama and his community

By marcia summers On

Warmest Welcome We received the warmest welcome today from Rev. Ragama and his community at Manahapa temple, Kuranagula where he, along with his community, began their Sinhalese and Tamil new year celebrations.  We were presented …

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Arrived . . .

By marcia summers On

Smooth 10 hour overnight flight from Heathrow to Colombo with Sri Lankan airlines, the only airline that flies direct.  Kiran close behind and should arrive tomorrow ready for trek beginning on Tuesday.


Safe taxi journey from Colombo to Kandy with a couple of stop-offs for a king coconut, a mango and chicken curry followed by a mango juice – and now I look like a ? and only been here a few hours! 


Fab driving through Kandy past familiar colonial sites such as the iconic clock tower, the old prison, Kandy lake, Queens and then eventually Hotel Suiss where I’ll be for next 2 nights. 

Day 1

As we’re 5.5 hours ahead of UK time and with at best 2 hours sleep on the plane, I collapsed last night and didn’t wake until gone 10am and nearly missed breakfast. Now UK clocks went forward last eve we’re now only 4.5 hours ahead of the game! UKers are catch up with us.

Looking forward to Kiran arriving on Monday now and not today as she’s had flight dramas but in time to start trekking with me on Tuesday. Sounds like her flight problems will make a blog all by itself – she’s now flying via Chennai and as I’m writing this she should be in the air.

Women’s refuge

I visited the girls’ refuge today – the real reason for coming to Sri Lanka. It all started here. An example below of some sanitary kits the girls have learnt to make which are sold at markets around the country and for schools in the poorer rural communities.  Each set lasts for approximately 2 years and as you can see comes in a discrete bag which the girls can carry in their school bag. 

Sanitary kits made by the girls staying at the refuge

More pictures of the activity in the refuge in future blogs when wifi working better!

My evening was spent with Koush, Sri Lanka’s well known birder and trekker who we met last year in the Sinharaja rainforest, to finalise our exciting trek plans starting Tuesday.

If you missed the last blog then HERE it is.

Further sponsorship – if you’d like to help me to help those in need in Sri Lanka at this difficult time, whilst being assured every penny will go to those who need it, then please donate by clicking on this link. Don’t forget that if you’re a tax payer to declare gift aid when doing so which will increase your donation by 25% at no cost to you. Alternatively, if you know of anyone or any organisation who may have an interest in this cause please share this blog link with them