Hi Nutella. I was trying to book Galle for January, right before the Literary Festival. It did look fairly deserted when I day-tripped even though I couldn't get a room.

Hmmm, interesting about the buses. I seldom spring for a car and driver, but sounds like it was worth it this time. Although if I go back it will probably be buses and trains!

thursdays- thank you for this "warts and all" TR, which I have now read at least twice!

the Serendip [which I thought from the map was a quite a way outside Kandy] is one of the places that the agent I am talking to at the moment has recommended, and i wasn't sure about it, so you've helped me decide.

I'm going to start a new thread with our proposed itinerary [probably one of many] - hope you'll chime in!

I'm a little late to the party here, found this via one of your recent links, thursdaysd. You and I seem to have a certain amount of travel history and inclination in common. I've been pondering another possible trip to India after several 1-2 month stays there previously and wanting to go yet wondering if I'm up to facing it again. Your description of Sri Lanka as "India light" as well as a friend's recommendation makes me think, except for seeing friends in Pondy & Auroville, this might be just what I'm looking for at this stage of my travel career.

Thanks so much for the details you provide, so much more interesting to me than the usual everything-is-great travelog. Very much appreciated.

MmePerdu - glad it's useful. I understand your India reluctance - I have several years of a 10 year visa left, but am not faling over myself to use it.

I don't know how much of southern India you have seen, but if you're going to Pondy anyway there are some worthwhile sights nearby, and you might like the Chettinad region. (See http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...an-sojourn.cfm for details.)

Funny, it's 2 more years on my 10 year visa that's getting me thinking. On the SE coast I've stayed only in Pondy/Auroville. I'll read your report.