Tour Guides and Conmen

Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka, 2015

We recently went on a quick trip to Sri Lanka. The aim of the trip was to go get a first look at the country. It is a country that has been relatively inaccessible in the past; and now that it is open for business, we were curious to go see it before the tourist boom.

Although the country itself is gorgeous with beautiful landscape and wonderful wildlife, what really stuck in my mind is the people we met.

Beware of the tour guides

As our trip was a last minute adventure, we decided to hire a tour guide to show us around rather than plan out our own itinerary. BIG MISTAKE! Our tour guide was hands down, the most annoying person i have ever come across.

Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka, 2015

After 2 days on the tea plantations in Nuwara Eliya, on our way out of the region, our tour guide turns to us and says, "If you look to your left, you can see the people picking tea"

My thoughts: No Kidding. I thought they were out picking potatoes over there!

Galle, Sri Lanka, 2015

When we asked to stop at a market for some souvenirs, our guide took us to a 'mall'. My friend bought some tea for her family and colleagues. Later that day, we went to a supermarket and discovered that the tea (with the same packaging) was much cheaper! When we questioned our tour guide, his response was, "Ma'am, I can only say one thing - taxes! Supermarkets pay no tax while a small family store pays much more tax!"

My thoughts: uh huh... you mean the tour guide is friends with the shopkeeper tax. ;o)

Beware of the Conman

On our last day in Colombo, we decided to go for a wander around the harbour. Within seconds of walking out of our hotel, a guy saw us loitering around the parliament house admiring the old colonial building. He inched a little closer and said, "Hi, you cant take a picture of that building. Its parliament house and the police will harass you if they catch you taking a picture."
We said, "Thanks for letting us know" and started to move away - seemingly in the same direction. He fell into step with us and started making conversation. He mentioned that he recognized us from the hotel and that he worked at the hotel, had just finished his shift and was headed home.

As he walked with us, he asked us about our trip, how our experience had been in Sri Lanka and slowly gained our trust. He then casually said, "Best if you walk on the other side of the road - its safer, no pickpockets." So we promptly crossed the road. He then stopped us by a rickshaw and said, "today is the last day of the gem sale. Best bargains in the country. You pay me Rs 50 and i'll tell this guy to take you there." When he answer he got was a no thank you, he became quite angry and very forceful.... Shaken up, we just as forcefully told him to leave us alone! Less than 30 seconds later, cue the next conman - with a very similar 'pick-up' line.

We returned to the hotel and informed concierge about what had happened and that there were people out there claiming to work for the hotel. We found out that this was a problem they were aware of and had informed the authorities but hadn't noticed any improvement...!

This was my first experience with a tour guide - atleast in recent times. My patience has never been tested as much as it was with my Sri Lankan guide. By the end of the trip, everything about him got on my nerves; from his voice to his Limp Fish handshake! As for the conman, well, that's all part of the 'charm' in visiting a developing nation.
What has been your experience with tour guides?