Where in the world...
are those LeapFrog guys?
'Au Revoir France'
Read about their last week in France as their journey brings an end to their having 'cheese for every meal' and begins a new chapter consisting of many 'pies and pints' in London.
Visit their website http://www.leapfrogvoyage.com/ where they have been posting their videos of cultural faux pas and language difficulties as they delve into each other's way of life and experience each other's countries as only a local could.
"Spending time with the Frogs in their own country is such a fantastic opportunity. There is such a rich culture here, and in some ways completely different to ours, so it's nice to know exactly when you put your foot in it culture-wise." - Benji Hall
'I'm just excited about finishing up on the complete opposite side of the world - a place as exotic and foreign as New Zealand. But first, I can't wait to see how these little Kiwis appreciate all things French - especially the local Breton dance!' - Antoine Bourgin
D O W N U N D E R T R A V E L I N S U R A N C E
is covering the LeapFrog Kiwis with a Backpacker Insurance Policy
|
Spotlight on:
Sri Lanka
|
"To me the beauty of Ceylon lies not so much in its blue seas and golden beaches, its jungles and its mountain peaks, as in its ancient atmosphere. There is no nation, from Egypt of the Pharaohs to modern Britain, in whose literature this island has not at some time been mentioned by one or other of its many names - Lanka, Serendib, Taprobane, Cellao, Zellan, to recall a few. History lies buried in its sands and ghosts of romance lurk among its bastioned rocks, for Lanka is very, very old." - D.J.G Hennessy, GREEN AILES, 1949
map of Sri Lanka
visit Sri Lanka's official tourism site
|
|
    Sri Lanka has a rich and exotic variety of wildlife and a long tradition of conservation rooted in its 2,230 year old Buddhist civilisation. The history of Sri Lanka and the history of Buddhism in the island go hand in hand. Since the arrival of Buddhism in the 3rd century BC. The majority Sinhalese are mostly Buddhist, while minority Tamils are mostly Muslim or Hindu. Sri Lanka has a number of religious places that attract tourists from all over the world. Most of these are related to Buddhism. Major among them are Temple of Tooth that houses the sacred tooth relic of Lord Buddha and Sri Pada Peak (Adam's Peak). Theses religious places provide solace to the people and give them courage to face the challenges of life. On the conservation front, you can visit any of many animal refuge centres on the islands including Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage and
|
|
 
The main island is dominated by central highlands that are rugged with fertile northern plains dissected by rivers. Most of the land is tropical jungle. One of the seven World Heritage sites in Sri Lanka, Sigiriya Rock (Lion's Rock) stands so tall above the surrounding jungle that one can see for miles when visiting the castle ruins and ancient rock fortress situated at its peak.
|
|
Kandy's rolling green hills are home to the many tea farms that create most of the tea that makes its way into our countries. Sri Lanka's climate is tropical with breezes on the coast and cooler air in the highlands where the tea farms are. Northeast is driest and hottest.
 
Until the 1860's the main crop produced on the island of Sri Lanka, the Ceylon, was coffee. But in 1869, the coffee-rust fungus, Hemileia vastatrix, killed the majority of the coffee plants and estate owners had to diversify into other crops in order to avoid total ruin. The owners of Loolecondera Estate had been interested in tea since the late 1850's and in 1866, James Taylor, a recently arrived Scot, was selected to be in charge of the first sowing of tea seeds in 1867, on 19 acres of land." More...
|
|
Flying High -
Tip of the Month
Anyone who flies regularly knows how difficult it can be falling asleep on a long haul flight. Some of us are lucky enough to fit into the chairs provided but for those of you who are a little lengthier, it helps requesting a seat at the front of the cabin when you're checking in. These seats have more leg room but be warned, they are also situated next to the baby bassinets so have a pair of earplugs handy! Keep a bottle of water close by, put on a pair of socks, grab a pillow or two and a blanket and cocoon yourself as the air conditioning can be quite cold at times. Make use of the wings that fold in from the headrest to support your head on the sides or purchase a blow up neck support at duty free. Buckle your belt up over your blanket to avoid being woken up by a flight attendant in the event of turbulence.
|