Welcome to Sri Lanka | A Second Class Train Ticket to Colombo and Driving License Issues
Welcome to Sri Lanka! After realising that you technically need a Sri Lankan Driving Permit to be allowed to drive or ride in Sri Lanka, we head up north to Colombo by train. There were no first class carriages, so it was second class and no seats for us.
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Locations and Contacts:
- Accomodation: in the Galle area (southern Sri Lanka)
- Cafe: Department of Coffee, 10A Philip Gunawardena Mawatha, Colombo 07 00700
- Driving License Centre: Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) - Werahera (Building H, Queue 1).
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Other channels:
You can also find me on the @tuesdayatdobbs KZread channel for weekly motorcycle chat.
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Video editing: @monikameraki (Instagram)
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Ben Winwood: Sabul
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Пікірлер: 350
Hi Freddie, Please do share detials of the person who helped you to get driving license. Thanks !!!
@FreddieDobbs
4 ай бұрын
Sorry, I totally forgot to add this! His Jake’s Channa- just send him a WhatsApp: +94 77 366 5340
@ws1814
4 ай бұрын
Btw from April onwards you can obtain the license right at the airport. So it will be much easier. No need to contact/pay random people.
@benontheroadnl
4 ай бұрын
@@ws1814wish I knew this a week ago! 😂
This is great Freddie, In the nineteen thirties in Cornwall in the UK my grandfather left the small village of crows nest where he was born to go and drive a tea train in what was then Ceylon, now of course Sri Lanka! Fascinating to see this country in your film! 👍😀👏🏍
@vijayafernando1
4 ай бұрын
That is fascinating. My parents were from Ceylon and they first came in 1949. went back to ceylon. came back to London and then went back again. The world is a small place!
Hi Freddie, that's a Monitor Lizard, not a croc 😊
It’s just as hard to get a full motorcycle licence in the UK 😂
@duncanjowett5575
4 ай бұрын
😂
@lasi9845
4 ай бұрын
😂
@JohnSmith-xw5qe
4 ай бұрын
Bloody right on that & will set you back about £1k!
sunday fun :))) freddy your shirts are rocking
@FreddieDobbs
4 ай бұрын
Thank you sir!
Sunday morning lying in bed with a coffee and watching Freddie Dobbs. Absolute bliss.
The way Monica has captured the landscape it almost feels meditative
I'm enjoying your videos- current and past., since I'm a newbie to your channel. To do for us what you're doing seems like a monumental task- one that I'm sure you and Monica enjoy doing. At almost 71, I thoroughly enjoy your videos for their being not always structured. Nobody needs perfection.!! Don't change your style, please!!!! What a beautiful coffee break I had this morning watching you. 👍👍5🏍🙋♂️
Freddie, you must spend a day in Galle. You can easily walk around the place and soak up the Dutch colonial atmosphere. Plenty of nice coffee shops there!
Another brilliant video from Monica and Freddie! I've been a subscriber to your channel going on almost 2 years now. I found you when I first started my research on Royal Enfield's and trying to decide which one to get. I ended up with a 2022 Classic 350 in Bronze Chrome and your reviews were a big inspiration for me. Now, as an American I find myself inspired by your travel documentary videos and I love them! Keep up the great work and wish you both safe travels and many more adventures. Thanks
Used to have a Wagon R, it was a brilliant little car. They are very Tardis like, you can get so much stuff in them. I have an Ignis now which is ok but the Wagon was much more useful and better designed. We have Wagons in the UK and the Vauxhall Agila is the rebadged equivalent.
Tuk tuks are superb BUT you should never take one without a meter AND make sure they turn it on! (they are legally obliged to do so)
@joshuajames1720
4 ай бұрын
haha, yeah sure!
The silent camera moving around in the tour of the apartment reminded me of the old invisible man series with Patrick Duffy 😂 . Loving this series , well done both of you.
The success to any relationship is separate bathrooms.
@FreddieDobbs
4 ай бұрын
Agreed😆
@mrflores7708
4 ай бұрын
What's a bathroom? 😂
With the recent financial crisis sri lanka needs all the tourism it can get, excited to take the journey with you two & learn more about the country ❤❤❤
@pleun315
4 ай бұрын
I live in Holland and we have that same financial crisis 😂
@duncanjowett5575
4 ай бұрын
@@pleun315not like Sri Lanka you don't mate.
I feel your pain with the temp License. Car hire places will get it for you for about $35 USD. Just what’s app them your drivers license and passport page as well as a pic of your face. If you like colonial history you must got to Nuwara Ellia. Visit or stay a night at the hill club, visit the post office and go to Pedro tea estate. Seeping with British heritage. May even be interesting to see the house of the infamous British elephant hunter who killed over 100 elephants.- Cheltenham cottage. If it’s too far just do a day trip to galle. It’s only a few hours drive. Incredible Dutch fort.
Thanks for posting video from Japan 🇯🇵 I love motorcycles . I love overseas landscape . The entire story is in English and will make me feel like I am in a foreign country. Good english practice 👌
The landscape with the water, coconut trees and the beaches is stunning!!
@FreddieDobbs
4 ай бұрын
It’s a proper world class coastline🏝️
Freddie, secondhand Wagon R’s in the UK start around £900, be a perfect replacement for the fiat when the time comes! Loving your Asian travels. We would love to see more Monika as well.
@FreddieDobbs
4 ай бұрын
Ahhhhhh I for some reason didn’t think we got these in the UK!😳
@stephennewell6628
4 ай бұрын
@@FreddieDobbs yes but they have 1300cc engines in the UK.
@allseeingotto2912
4 ай бұрын
I had a wagon R here in England, great little car
@DouweBuruma
4 ай бұрын
Freddie, you are always so enthusiastic, I would almost sell my 5-series to get one of those 😂
@user-zi3gg8jj1g
4 ай бұрын
A used WAGON R in Sri Lanka costs £12000 or more...
really loving this series mate. hope you and Monica are enjoying it too
Thanks for another great video, they used to sell the Suzuki Wagon R in the UK up to about 2007.
It's nature Monika. You have to let it take its course. Sounds like a clip from Batman talking to Robin ! 😅
@FreddieDobbs
4 ай бұрын
😆
@dharshanaratnayake4627
4 ай бұрын
😄More like something outta Star Trek. "It's life, Jim... But not as we know it"
Freddie you had to ride all the way long for your driving licence but look on the bright side what a magnificent views you had during that journey.
Freddie, I loved the wildlife segment with the monitor! You and Monika are both fantastic. Always a good day when I see you've uploaded something
Discovered you today, I have loved Sri Lanka ever since I read Michael Ondaatje’s “Running in the Family” as it reminded me of my mother country Jamaica. Love the videography and editing and story telling - thanks to you both!
Freddie, you are wrong let me explain. Your videos and vlogs are highly entertaining and vastly informative, I dont think most of us will mind at all if you ( I mean Monika 😊) were to lenghened them to 40mins, 20mins is is not long enough especially your travel videos, plz plz make them longer.
Wonderful start to my Sunday … watching your adventures beats anything else around… you both have something unique and fun… great work ❤️🇱🇰❤️
Wow! Sri Lanka does remind me of South India, especially Kerala. The landscape is really similar.
Very interesting- great videography and editing, thank you both as ever.
Spent 3 years in Sri Lanka, Freddie, I feel your pain. But TBH how many people want to drive on their holiday to Sri Lanka? Not many I'd hazard....
@alokm1233318
4 ай бұрын
@Lookup2Wakeup Underrated answer :)
In most SEA countries as well as the sub continent hiring a car with driver is good value. Gets you anywhere you want to go with a personal driver allowing you to focus all the sites without the struggles of driving and navigating.
Damn bro, I've been following you for two years now and you went to my homeland, I haven't been since I left 16 years ago to Canada because of the war it was good to see all the places I used to hang out as a kid lol🎉
Hi freddy and monica , please make your travel vids longer ... I have a suzuki bike and car. Very satisfied with both. My 2016 baleno is only 880 kg !! And very roomy and a joy to drive. Suzuki.s are super.
the view out of that train however is magical, what a scenic seaside train
What an awesome video, giving a fantastic insight into Sri Lanka. One of the major TV production companies needs to snap you both up as you are a pure pleasure to watch and Monica produces the best video's that can be viewed on KZread. 👍
@user-yb9ww6lv7j
4 ай бұрын
Yes they are a joy to watch which is exactly why you don't want it to become commercialised.
We could do with some legislation on vehicle size in UK. The massive 4x4s here in Cheshire are far to large for our narrow lanes. They all seem to be driven by mad women at silly speeds, as well.
I haven't even reached the middle of your video and already two words come to mind: excelent, brilliant! Two of my favourite things to do, train travelling and motorcycle riding. #Envy ... Nice Work!
Easter Sunday having coffee watching Another Freddie adventure.. Nothing better than that Hello from Texas
i enjoy your blogs, brother. keep safe!
I feel like I'm genuinely joining you, away on these adventures. The involvement level is brilliant.
I love how you enjoy life and are like a little kid with everything. Just lovely to see the honest reactions. Im leaving for indonesiea in little over two weeks and Im just devouring your videos :D
It's bad enough having to do this sort of stuff when you live somewhere. I wouldn't have bothered going. I'd have stopped in Goa but for your description of the driving-permit agent. Your description of the woman leaving for her lunch took me back to my day at the bank in Sagres, southwest Portugal in 1986. Queueing outside the bank for ages only to have the bank door slammed in our face by a scowling, cigarette-smoking Portuguese. Over one hour for lunch, then the queueing started again. People travelling now have no idea how inconvenient everything was in the 1980s. 12:30 Toyota Land Cruiser? Ingenious car at the end. Nick
Seems very clean, thanks for sharing 😊
Lunch break is holy in Asia:) I had the funniest situations in Thailand already. Amazing Video
Looking forward to your adventures in Sri Lanka next
well done Freddy get on with it still a great experience
The Suzuki Wagon R was sold in the UK in The late 1990's and possibly early 2000's. They were very popular in Hunstanton Norfolk with retired people because of the Wagon R's versatility.
Im so glad i stumbled across this channel. Just everything about it is different from the usual copy and paste formula, which i like to avoid. Here its more like reading a good novel, the way you tell your story is so alluring. There is also the fact that you have a passion for motorcycles like i do.
Beautiful videography Monica. Freddy, get some bike maintenance tips from the locals while you’re there! 😅
Hello Freddie! Great videos as always, with interesting places and topics. I have an idea for a video for you: what if you made a "behind the scenes" video where you document your process, from selecting equipment to mounting cameras on your bike and editing your videos?
never knew Freddie had a passion for nature commentary.
Freddie, you and Monica are a pleasure to watch, you're a pair of stars 🌟, whatever goes wrong you carry on and muddle through the problems, more power to you both! ❤ Cheers Mel 🍻
7:02 " and i love the lag of any kind of health and safety" bro just said that in most respectable way
Freddie was amazing in Shogun. What a talented guy !!
Looking forward to ypur travels in this country, it looks really beautiful there. Glad your speeding incident hasn't made things worse.
Anyone planning a trip to Sri Lanka... Freddie is not entirely correct here (Sorry Freddie - no disrespect - love you both) We're currently planning a trip there. Both car rental places I've spoken to so far will organise the permit for you ahead of time so you collect it when you get the car. Also seen folk do this on KZread. Cost €30.
The reptile was a monitor lizard; very common throughout south asia. The WagonR is available and even made in India also!
20:16 you know why you don't get these in EU one simple reason crash protection I mean your car can also be this spacious if you removed all the things that make it a secure juggerknot it is. The steady decline in the popularity of newer Kei-car models among Japanese consumers in the 22th century can be attributed to the perception that a single crash could result in game over for the vehicle and more. Even in India this car is sold under the name Maruti Wagon R and is a beffed up version.
That was a Monitor Lizard...and... It was a SMALL one. If you watch the video carefully, as it starts to climb the bank you can see it's great long tongue flicking out. They are every bit as vicious as Crocs and lightening fast when they strike. They have hundreds of needle sharp teeth and, if you were unlucky enough to get bitten, they tear huge lumps off the victim. People who have been bitten and got away, suffer terrible infections from the lizards mouth and teeth. Conclusion? Avoid like the plague.
Guess why you can't rent a Enfield in Sri Lanka? Any bike above 300cc is banned because the police feels that "powerful" Enfields will outrun police bikes 😂. Try and rent a Tata Nano. They're great fun! Oh and they have a massive classic car scene in Lanka. Keep your eyes peeled for 50s British cars in the most unlikely places. And that appears to be a Monitor Lizard. Very common in those parts.
@thebestevertherewas
4 ай бұрын
Hilarious.
@xtrememanegerLK
4 ай бұрын
බොරු කියන්න එපා.
@Nuwan.99
4 ай бұрын
Do not lie. Are you Sri Lankan? I also use a Pulsar 200cc bike. There is no such problem in Sri Lanka. Why are you lying?
@PasanArunajith
4 ай бұрын
There is a royal enfield showroom also in colombo
The reason we don’t get them in the UK is they would fall down the nearest pothole, but excellent video.
I had a 2002 wagon R+ for a couple of years. Loved it to bits! The reason we don't get them in Europe anymore is due to specific EU crash safety rules they cannot pass. I believe they were sold until 2008 over here (in the Netherlands) These cars make so much sense that they ought to be exempt for at least some rules.
Try getting a motorcycle license in Australia unless you have a full, separate one to the car license from your home country. Even Australians take 3-12 months to do it.
So nice episode thanks to Freedie Iam completely enjoyed
fantastic content as always, keep it up!
Freddie we live and learn .I worked in Africa for 4 years an believe me money gets you everything that you want. Documents and more lol . Dont trust anyone make some good contacts before you travel and if you ask a Tuck Tuck driver for anything he will get it sorted for you and for small money .I used the same driver for over 3 years .Great stream Freddie and Monica thanks for taking us with you on your trip . First class stream 👍👍👍
I have just spend almost 6 hours on yours videos here’s why , one of your video which was filmed in Goa appears on my tv it struck me and I have to go your channel and I started from one of your first video which was posted 3 years ago and I just finished Sri Lanka video , I enjoyed a lot
Nissan note, Toyota Yaris, mitsubishi colt all have rear sliding seats.
The hassle around getting a driver's license is deliberate. The system makes you work with an agent. You pay a fee (MOT/DOT/RTO or the equivalent gets their cut) provide your documents and they do the rest. Not just Sri Lanka, its the same in India, Thailand and a few Asian countries.
At 17:05 / 17:06, a spray of water emanates from the left of the lizard and towards the lizard. Most likely another water creature hiding there and attacking the lizard. Our amateur Nat Geo journalists have missed that.
Great vlog once again both, a tip, kindly remind people to like your vlog as only a very small percentage actually do.
🏍 Where are the blue trousers Freddie? Enjoyed this episode
This is a reality of SriLanka. Moreover we need more tourists to improve our economy. Sounds great.
That was sort of a David Attenborough documentry👍
Green shirt to match the green sea on the oil painting in your apartment.
I'm with Monika. I was rooting for the white bird too!
Hello Freddie, my son who lived in Sri Lanka for 4 years, and his wife who is Sri Lankan, say you only need an International Driving permit that you get from the post office here, to drive there ! Please can you clarify this as when I go again I might hire a bike. Thank you, Great videos by the way !
Oh, Freddy, I had a feeling you might come to SL when I saw your vlogs in India! Haha, it's wonderful to have you here. Where do you plan to visit? If you happen to have any free time, I would absolutely love to meet up with you too.
We are on holiday right now in Srilanka. Started in Colombo, traveled to Kandi and Ella and now in Unawatuna. Be careful on the roads. The bus drivers are crazy and often fly round corners on the wrong side of the road.
Freddie, you’re like a new wave Charlie Boorman doing travel videos with a bike slant. But without annoying Russ getting n the way of the camera 😂
Wow Freddie seeing you in the motor vehicle place brought back bad memories of the DMV in NY. Had to spend all day to register my bike and truck and get a driver license renewal. Hundreds of pissed of people just waiting in line to find out your in the wrong line. That’s why I love KY. Go to the county clerk, walk right up to lady that knows your name. Done in 5 minutes. I don’t know what was in the pond, looked like Godzilla to me. I’m with Monica, I would stay away from that pond.
With us you no need to waste your valuable vacation in the license office. And you can pay when you receive your permit to the hand. Only 50$
Monica has become so good at catching and editing footage. Does she do work for others?
You needed to rent in tuktukrental. It was the experience of my life 🙌🙌
You didn’t show us much of the bathroom so I’m wondering what the loo roll situation is there? Did you bring all of the loo rolls you could get your hands on from India? I just can’t understand why you and Monica would want to travel to places like that.
The goods news is, from April 2024 you can apply for your licence at the airport when you arrive! Well, that’s what Google is telling me
Not an auspicious arrival to Sri Lanka, but the experience was interesting, obviously not for you guys. The nature drama was great, happy endings. Those ' K' cars are fantastic, I think we can get them here in Oz, as 'Grey' Imports. Looking forwards to your Adventures in Sri Lanka.
@FreddieDobbs
4 ай бұрын
The use of space of these K cars is incredible🪄 I’m sure you wouldn’t bat an eyelid for wildlife like this in Oz!😳
Thanks for the nice video.
Where can I find the details of the gentleman that helped you get your international permit driver's license thing?
From April onwards you can obtain the license at the airport itself.
Wagon R's have sold in UK years ago also rebadged as a Vauxhall Aguila com'on Freddie lad where U been in last 30 years still watch your vids though
Goa seemed much nicer 😭 Need more Goaaaaa!!!
Sri Lanka 🇱🇰 the hidden diamond of Asia.
I have seen wagon R on roads in Netherlands.
Looks like a Northern Ireland registration on the Suzuki.
Freddie I did warn you about this on previous video. Really could have saved you a day of grief. We had a Suzuki wagon r in UK in 1998 on a S plate also sold as Vauxhall agila.
Welcome to Sri Lanka. It seems like you're getting the full Sri Lankan experience from the first day. Damn 😂
Hi Fred, have you contact details where you hired your car in Sri Lanka and the cost? Thanks
Hi Freddie! What are your plans for the next 2 weeks? Would you like to tour some safe(ish), awesome Myanmar roads? I know it sounds a bit risky, but I've covered 3,500 miles here since 2017on my trusty old CB500ss. Happy to welcome you if you consider. Large range of big bikes is available to rent from the guy I bought the Honda (R.E, BMW, Indian, Harley, etc). I will be here until end of April....Welcome brother!
Am I the only cynic thinking the driving permit sourced by the ‘intermediary’ may not be entirely genuine?.🤔🤔