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| leaf inspired shape for temple stupas |
Despite our past experiences we were once again caught up in a minor tourist scam. Whisked off to an "annual festival at an important temple" in a passing Tuk-Tuk, I should have known it was a scam when our guide asked the driver to stay and wait 10 minutes. Roger said he knew but I was so enthusiastic he didn't want to dampen my spirits. After a nice tour of the temple and, to my delight, a few minutes and photos with their resident temple elephant, we were whisked off to the gem and jewellery shop. We didn't even look or listen to the sales pitch, but headed right back out. When the driver took us back to the lighthouse (original destination) he tried charging us about four times what the trip should have cost and we gave him more than we wanted but much less than he asked. It wasn't an expensive scam and I did enjoy the temple, but I'm going to have to be more careful in the future not to get caught up in these things. The day we visited was the presidential elections and so things were quiet, stores were closed and restaurants were not allowed to serve alcohol. Even the normally bustling market I wanted to visit the following morning was empty when we got there! They was lots of expectations for some possible hostilities, should the current president have won the election, but he didn't and there were no outbreaks or drama of any kind.
Right next to our hotel was a nice little complex with a tea shop, several restaurants and a retail store or two. I believe it was located within the Old Fort Dutch Hospital complex. We met my friend and former colleague and his sister for lunch at the expensive but superb Ministry of Crab restaurant. It was truly a splurge and I enjoyed every morsel of the tasty crabs, shrimp and homemade bread, infused with garlic and pepper.
