Ok we’re on the road again today and it’s time to give the tuktuks their daily fluids checks. Adios.
Sri Lanka by tuktuk
- Thread starter The Other PaulG
- Start date
What a fabulous thing to do Paul, where on earth did you dream that idea up? Just brilliant.
Loving the trip report and as we were in SL in January, I echo all of your sentiments about the place, the people and the ambience. Sigiriya was a bucket list thing for us and didn't disappoint.
I presume that you travel light and take your luggage with you?
Can’t wait for the next instalment.
Loving the trip report and as we were in SL in January, I echo all of your sentiments about the place, the people and the ambience. Sigiriya was a bucket list thing for us and didn't disappoint.
I presume that you travel light and take your luggage with you?
Can’t wait for the next instalment.
Brings back memories of our 5 week tour of Sri Lanka earlier this year (though we had a car and driver for most of it).
At one point I think we were just a few hours behind @Oldrat!
Did you go up the Pidurangala Rock (opposite the Sigiriya Rock)?
We went up the Sigiriya Rock for sunrise and, the following day, up the Pidurangala Rock for sunset.
The Pidurangala Rock is a hard climb, in fact outright dangerous in parts. Fortunately, our driver came with us and helped us get up it (along with help from several younger people), without this help us two 70+ years olds would probably have turned back about three quarters of the way up, I think we were the oldest at the top by far on the day we went up.
Enjoying your report very much, keep it up, it is making me look forward to another future visit to that beautiful, and varied, Island.
At one point I think we were just a few hours behind @Oldrat!
Did you go up the Pidurangala Rock (opposite the Sigiriya Rock)?
We went up the Sigiriya Rock for sunrise and, the following day, up the Pidurangala Rock for sunset.
The Pidurangala Rock is a hard climb, in fact outright dangerous in parts. Fortunately, our driver came with us and helped us get up it (along with help from several younger people), without this help us two 70+ years olds would probably have turned back about three quarters of the way up, I think we were the oldest at the top by far on the day we went up.
Enjoying your report very much, keep it up, it is making me look forward to another future visit to that beautiful, and varied, Island.
It was hard work keeping you at bay!Brings back memories of our 5 week tour of Sri Lanka earlier this year (though we had a car and driver for most of it).
At one point I think we were just a few hours behind @Oldrat!
A short hop today, to Polonnaruwa.
We passed a couple of huge lakes and decided to go 4x4ing..or is that 3x2ing.. across the flats. There were elephant drinking on the far side of the lake.
We passed a couple of huge lakes and decided to go 4x4ing..or is that 3x2ing.. across the flats. There were elephant drinking on the far side of the lake.
Our hotel is right on the lakeside at Polonnorawua.
Apparently in 1954 the Queen and Phil stayed here - she was the monarch of Ceylon then. Her room complete with writing table has been preserved. The bath was shipped in specially from its manufacturer in Glasgow!
Apparently in 1954 the Queen and Phil stayed here - she was the monarch of Ceylon then. Her room complete with writing table has been preserved. The bath was shipped in specially from its manufacturer in Glasgow!
From the infinity pool you can see elephant on the far banks of the lake, and despite a very stiff wind, local fishermen battled on.
We’re in Trinco now, off to Sigirya on Saturday, then Ella and Galle.
Air conditioned Hiace van with driver for us!
Ok, time for a quick tour of my awesome steed.
The engine is a single cylinder 4 stroke. I don’t know the capacity but I’d guess about 200cc. Fuel injected with an oil pump on one end of the crank. Lawnmower style fuel tank, 9 litres.
The engine is a single cylinder 4 stroke. I don’t know the capacity but I’d guess about 200cc. Fuel injected with an oil pump on one end of the crank. Lawnmower style fuel tank, 9 litres.
Controls are like an old 2 stroke Vespa, with a combined clutch and twist gear change. 
The most important control by far is the horn. It sits on the rh handlebar, meaning that when you intend to start the engine you hoot, and when you want to hoot you activate the left indicator…
They’re about £5k new apparently.
The brakes - let’s just call them that for convenience - are activated by a floor pedal with a handy master cylinder reservoir right where you can see it for daily checks.
The engine bay is spacious… I keep thinking about this GPz900 engine sitting in my garage….
Paul , that engine is on eBay , also some 1200 Sport parts ( almost a whole bike ! ) . 
