Rosi CornwellThursday 23rd Jan
I woke up the day after our eventful tour, and Lou had told me she’d been googling about the Spice Garden and read that Tour drivers get paid commission for taking people there. Oh dear, it just gets worse. (I paid £60 for herbal remedies because I love natural products, but then remembered I’d read that it was a scam. Felt sick and realised no products had any ingreidnets on) (However it had felt like a really good experience, eating a coconut salad rotti, getting a massage and learning about the uses of nature for ailments). I then googled some more, and read how some girl had got a refund as she’d threatened them with the police.
It was about 10am, and my train was 12.25pm. I went to ask the hostel their view on things, and the owner even sounded shocked that I’d spent that much money. He said they have to give me a refund if I ask for it. I took his phone number as back up, packed my things and decided to get a tuk tuk to the Spice Garden, get a refund then get my train.
Upon arrival at the Spice Garden the girl who gave us the tour yesterday (who said she was student of medicine) approached me. I politely informed her about having second thoughts following spending a large amount of money, and not knowing the ingredients. She asked “you want to return them” . I said yes. She took me down and asked me to wait. Then she made small talk and was very sweet. She asked about the products and I explained again. She didn’t really fight me to keep them. However to make it a smooth transition I said I’d keep the curry powder and the sandal wood oil (I’m yet to find out if it’s just vegetable oil). She questioned “no hair removal cream”. I don’t even know why I bought it, I’ve never dabled with hair removal cream. I tried to question what the science was that made it last for 7 years, but she just kept called me Ma’am and telling me the ingredients and saying they ‘get the roots’.
I asked her some more about the place, she said it had been open for 20 years, they had a hospital and a factory 10km away. She said that at the weekends local comes here. I was very suss and wondered why I hadn’t asked all these questions yesterday. I blame it on the long busy day and being tired and hungry.
She said we were waiting for the management and then led me down to meet a guy with a calculator. He took off the price for the 2 items I would keep (£15) and even made sure to keep the credit card transaction money. I got back the majority in cash, so felt very relieved!
I headed to the train station and went to the collect my ticket. Ticket printed and the officer says “the train is tomorrow”. I cracked up thinking that was a hilarious mistake to make. There I was thinking I’d not get to spend much time in Kandy, and I’d bagged another day.
A man offered me a tuk tuk and I decided to take it for 2500 as he offered, thinking that Pick Me wouldn’t be much more. As we drive out the station he only goes and says “do you know about the Spice Garden, it’s free entry”. To which I replied “oh yes I know. I’ve already been”. I also thought that was super funny. And realized that telling people you’ve already been somewhere is a good get out for hustlers and bustlers. He then pulls in at the petrol station and asks me to pay 3000. I questioned this and he says “out of town” . Whatever. I give him 5000 and he returns my change.
I rebook the backpackers Hostel and when I turned up the lady owner gives me a big hug. How sweet. She shows me to the room and my bed is still the same. So I take it. She remarks “its not clean” and I say that it’s mine so it’s okay! Back again!
Its sunny for once, so I head to the pool and Lou shouts over the balcony “ah I’m so glad you’re back”. She heads down and we sit in the sun. Chatting about our past relationships and life.
I ordered food and it was the first time I’d eaten curry poolside. It was tasyy and had some spice which I appreciated. As lots of places tone it down as they don’t think white people can handle it. Literally the owner at the cooking class every night would comment how no one can handle it, yet everyone asks for more spice!
Later in the evening we decide to head out for dinner, I really fancied a cocktail as I needed a change from beer. I found a spot called the Hangout and saw cocktails on their website. We arrive and look on the menu. Mocktails is what they offer. Great. But they did have fruit beer..which I mistook for fruit cider it was that tasty.
It was nice to have a lil change from curry as I’m finding they all have the distinct taste of the curry leaves.
I order spinach with garlic, roast cashew nuts.. which did have the curry leaf, but the roast texture was really nice. And potatoes and veg. Which I thought was a side dish! But it was like a main.
This was the most English priced meal yet £18 .. I mean I guess it’s not that bad for 3 plates of food and 2 fruit beers. But also not the usual £2.77. However the change to the taste buds was appreciated.
We get a taxi back and it’s 10pm now, a Dutch girl came with us and her friend back at the hostel said they’d only just eaten the cooking class meal now. I am very glad we went out.
We all hit the hay as everyone is taking the famous train to Ella tomorrow. I am looking forward to seeing the sights, but also anxious because I’ve read so many blogs about it being so busy. I’m also unsure where I’ll be as it says Observation Carriage .. and nothing I’ve read mentions that.. only 1st, 2nd and 3rd class. So let’s wait and see!
So all in all, a productive day getting a refund, but also a chill day by the pool, hiding inside to not spend money, but then going out in the evening and spending money. But hey, that’s life! A life I am very grateful and blessed for.
