Lanka Trip: Mysore to Colombo....

Trip’s part 2. My experience from mysore to Kandy  will be the post’s main theme. February 15^th was the day I had booked shatabdi train to Chennai and from there to Colombo via Spicejet.

Day started wwith me running to office to collect my relieving letter as it was not done due to some miscommunication from my side. So I had to rush to get it. People in office thought that I had not resigned and am still working after they saw me in the office!!! I showed them the visitor badge and then they realized. Even the security people were telling, y are u parking ur vehicle outside… I had to clarify them that I am no longer in the organization.

After I got the Letter,it was time to say a final goodbye and then left the company to home. Got some cash, was planning to get some $$ as I was skeptical of INR getting accepted at SL. The nightmare came true when I reached SL. I had some $20 AUD and $10 USD, took it and started my packing. With some Indian cash and my bag ready, I was ready to fly………..

Reached the railway station to catch the train, had reached early and had to wait some time to get into the AC bogie..  with music player on to the ear , and timely snacks enjoyed the journey to Chennai.

Reached Chennai at 9.25 on time and then crossed over the road to park station to catch metro train to trisulam. Since I was alone, I was least bothered to worry to travel in taxi. With 7Rs ticket I reached the airport in 29 minutes. The fastest way to get there;  Super economical travel with comfort. Reached the airport departure gate by 10.25 . I seriously pity our Indian security. They should have a serious mechanism for people who move into the airport. I really appreciate the SL and US guys. Security is so strict …

After entering the airport, I wanted to exchange the currency, Thomas cook , the cheater counter was there, USD selling rate was 50.50 Rs and SLR was.70 ps. Cheaters No1. I advice people not to exchange money at this counter. They charge very heavy price. For me ICICI bank charged .42 Ps for on SLR. I saved 28 ps on each SLR.

Called to friends from airport and then stood in a long queue of immigration counter. Damn it, 100 people at one time it took 30 minutes to get my turn. I donno y the immigration dept will not open more counters during the late nights as there are lot of flights from Chennai to other parts of the world.

Waited In lobby for 2 hours in departure lounge and then boarded the flight at 11.55PM. Wanted to sleep in flight , but I couldn’t as it was a very short flight 45 minutes travel and in between the short commercial breaks of airlines were there.

Finally touched Lanka @ 2.00 AM on 16^th .  this was my 5^th  foreign country where I had landed in last 30 years. Was expecting more things to come.

Came out of the flight, amazed to see the airport decorated like a bride for worldcup 2011. Hats off guys , u make your country proud. They were welcoming ppl for the cup and it was a festival for them. In India , we people eat, sleep and pray cricket, but stingy BCCI were unable to spend some money at airports to welcome people. Useless guys, only they see incoming money , not outgoing..

More in the next post…