Sri Lanka, Part Two: Narrowly Avoided Trampling and Very Useful Dung

Part Two: The Pinnewala Elephant Orphanage

Along the Colombo road there’s a turn off that leads to the Pinnewala Elephant Orphanage, a government-run sanctuary where orphaned or abandoned elephants are looked after.

Twice daily all 80 elephants are led down to a river to bathe. It seems like it must be the largest number of pachyderms anyone’s ever likely to see up close.

Sri Lanka, Part One: Kandalama and Speedy Bread

When you live in Saudi, you often find yourself planning your next departure. Sand, blue skies and date palms might sound romantic, but they don’t quite make up for the restrictions of everyday life.

Six months ago we decided on a week’s holiday in Sri Lanka. We would start in Colombo, driving to Kandalama to see the ancient city of Sigirya. From there we would travel to the tea country of Nurawa Eliya, stopping on the way to visit an elephant orphanage in Pinnawala. We would finish our whirlwind tour with a visit to the ancient Portuguese settlement of Galle on the Indian Ocean coast.

Much travelling and much to see in a very short time!

"A (Saudi) haaaaandbag?" or, Vital Secrets of An Arabian Bag-Carrier

In ‘The Importance of Being Earnest’ by Oscar Wilde, Jack Worthing breaks the astonishing news that as a baby he was discovered in a handbag.

“A handbag?” exclaims Lady Bracknell. Yes, says Jack, a very ordinary handbag.

 My Riaydh handbag is seemingly very ordinary; black and boring. But what’s inside is very important.

Here’s what’ll you’ll find.

Date Farms and Deserted Villages: a Visit to Al Ula

Near Madain Saleh is the small town of Al Ula. It’s set among an oasis of palm trees and tall red sandstone cliffs. 

Green and lush, it’s a totally different picture from the desert of the Nabatean tombs. There’s a museum, a high mountain to climb - by four wheel drive - and an old village which is being restored.