Our driver meets us at 4.45pm for the short drive to the theatre. It reminds me of an old school hall. It's cooled by six fans so we opt to sit towards the back under one. It's hot in there even with the fans. Hall fills up to near capacity and I later learn that friends of mine from Abu Dhabi were there as well. In fact, most people we ran into were from AD. Because of the short flight and reasonable prices it was a very popular destination in that week.
The show begins with drums that don't stop until the end. It's hot and I didn't bring any water! A small glass bottle of coke sells for 80LK but I don't buy one. I begin to get a headache - 30 minutes is enough for me, 1 hour is a bit too long. We are treated to an energetic display of male prowess with spinning, cartwheels, intense drumming, and jumping all performed with lavish costumes.
It is difficult to take pictures due to so many arms raised with cell phones. Here are the ones I got inside the hall.
The show ends with an even more impressive fire walking demonstration. It begins with one of the guys throwing diesel onto what looks like a large flat BBQ. Flames shoot into the air with clouds of thick black smoke.
The fire swallowing is not as impressive. Perhaps he is new to the job.
Our driver is waiting for us at the end. He is great but many things are lost in translation!
I've asked for a traditional dinner with a vegetarian option. The restaurant he takes us to sports a Trip Advisor poster so I'm hoping it's ok. First impression is that it isn't clean, tables are not wiped, tin cups of water are put on tables filled from the hand washing tap. But the driver recommends it. He is parking while we enter and take stock. We invite him in to join us and sit down to sample the delights...
150LK buys us bread with 3 dipping sauces (chickpeas, potato curry & a spicy white yoghurt). 40Lk for a starter (savoury donut & white sauce; pumpkin balls (delicious) and same white sauce. We order fizz to be sure as we don't want to risk the water. The fizz arrives in a cup not a can as expected. We tentatively sip it while eating our food. Our trepadation is caused by the many stories of food poisoning that friends have experienced and we know to avoid salads, fresh water and various other delights.
We pay 760LK for 3 of us (including the driver) and hope we tolerate the food & drink. We kiwis tip 20Lk only to receive an aghast look from the waiter. We add another 20LK. Still horror! We ask the driver who reluctant to say. Eventually he suggests 150-300LK. OMG! We are under tipping big time so add another 100LK as the guy has been back and forth repeatedly. He finally smiles (and forgives us random foreigners - we hope)>
The show begins with drums that don't stop until the end. It's hot and I didn't bring any water! A small glass bottle of coke sells for 80LK but I don't buy one. I begin to get a headache - 30 minutes is enough for me, 1 hour is a bit too long. We are treated to an energetic display of male prowess with spinning, cartwheels, intense drumming, and jumping all performed with lavish costumes.
It is difficult to take pictures due to so many arms raised with cell phones. Here are the ones I got inside the hall.
The show ends with an even more impressive fire walking demonstration. It begins with one of the guys throwing diesel onto what looks like a large flat BBQ. Flames shoot into the air with clouds of thick black smoke.
Our driver is waiting for us at the end. He is great but many things are lost in translation!
I've asked for a traditional dinner with a vegetarian option. The restaurant he takes us to sports a Trip Advisor poster so I'm hoping it's ok. First impression is that it isn't clean, tables are not wiped, tin cups of water are put on tables filled from the hand washing tap. But the driver recommends it. He is parking while we enter and take stock. We invite him in to join us and sit down to sample the delights...
150LK buys us bread with 3 dipping sauces (chickpeas, potato curry & a spicy white yoghurt). 40Lk for a starter (savoury donut & white sauce; pumpkin balls (delicious) and same white sauce. We order fizz to be sure as we don't want to risk the water. The fizz arrives in a cup not a can as expected. We tentatively sip it while eating our food. Our trepadation is caused by the many stories of food poisoning that friends have experienced and we know to avoid salads, fresh water and various other delights.
We pay 760LK for 3 of us (including the driver) and hope we tolerate the food & drink. We kiwis tip 20Lk only to receive an aghast look from the waiter. We add another 20LK. Still horror! We ask the driver who reluctant to say. Eventually he suggests 150-300LK. OMG! We are under tipping big time so add another 100LK as the guy has been back and forth repeatedly. He finally smiles (and forgives us random foreigners - we hope)>
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