So, what have we been doing since we landed in Sri Lanka?

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Ayubowan! (Sri Lankan Greetings of Hello and wishes for a good, long life),

Arrived safely after a total of 30 hours in flight and/or airport lounge, Fortunately for us, we got to use the Airline Club, complete with shower, delicious hot and cold food, drinks, open bar, TV, wifi, the works. Supposedly, Turkish Airways Club is one of the nicest, we were told? We did not try out the free massages or suites, perhaps another time!!

Our first stop for 4 beautiful and restful days was in Unawatuna village and beach. A perfect spot to chill and get our bearings as we start this new adventure. The 3 to 4 dirt streets of the village are sprinkled with places to eat, buy wood carvings, funky batik type clothes or rent a scooter. Fish is a big menu item, fresh from the sea. The beach is in the shape of a crescent with a large Buddha looking down over you. It is the first of many a Buddha sighting and picture, so prepare yourself! The water temp is cool enough to refresh, yet warm enough to walk right in along with the breaking waves. Our hotel overlooked a lovely infinity pool and the ocean.

We took a day trip to Marissa beach, about 20 kilometers away, where the waves were HUGE and STRONG enough to knock me on my butt, steal my watch, remove my hat (which I was able to recover) and yep, even skin and bruise my knee. Fun, hmmmm? I chose not to go back and we stayed at the more tranquil Unawatuna beach! Also went to the old, Dutch colonial city of Galle, surrounded by a stone fort. We enjoyed a home cooked, 7 course meal at a local woman's home who runs THE WHITE HOUSE guest stay. She even has a room called the West Wing!!! Meal was delicious. Cost $7.00 for the two of us!

Leaving Unawatuna relaxed and psyched for our "travels" to begin, we headed to Kataragama, followed by 4 days in Ella.Our sole purpose to visit Kataragama was to observe the daily evening pilgrimage by Buddhists, Hindus and Muslims to their various temples, all co-located on the grounds. Specifically, the Buddhists come each evening, bathing first in the river and then buying lotus flower, fruit and other gift offerings to the Temple. It starts promptly at 6pm with ringing bells, swinging incense pots and special monks coming to perform their blessings. Aaron got dressed for the occasion (only males may visit some of the holy spots) and we were both "blessed" and received white string bracelets (which just about EVERYONE in this country is wearing....at least the Buddhists). A neat ritual is the lighting of a coconut, praying for whatever, and then slamming the coconut on a rock. If it cracks in two, your wish comes true, if it shatters....better luck next time. We witnessed both.

Next stop Ella. Just like the song! A beautiful, very windy, steep climb around the mountains in south central Sri Lanka, lands you in Ella. Another very relaxed town, dirt roads but much busier than Unawatuna. A haven for travelers to see some of their first waterfalls (Rawana), climb/hike mountains (Little Mt. Adams) and visit tea plantations and see how tea is made only after donning "scrubs" to cover our hair and feet at a Green Tea factory. We did all 3. The tea leaf "pickers" start at 7am and pick till mid morning......each bringing in close to 30 pounds of tea a day. That's a lot of picking and a heck of a lot of teabags!

Our guest house was a short walk from town and run by a lovely woman, names Sumithra. She and her helper, Chitra made us feel quite welcome. Again, had a home cooked meal as well as breakfast each day here. Rented a car and driver who picked us up at 4am in order to get to Horton's Plains by sunrise. A 2 hour drive, passing Eucalyptus tree forests (tall, straight, plain trunks with few limbs) and arriving just in time for sunrise. Our destination....Worlds End. Just like it implies, a 3 hour walk through cloud forest and plains to arrive at what looks like, the end of the world (sort of). A sheer 1 kilometer drop with no railing or platform to support you as you look over. The end of the walk is through the plains.....where flowers, birds, fish and some animals (they say even leopard) roam. Closest I came to a leopard was this stuffed one! Wrapping up Ella, all I can say, is great sights, very good food and lots to do for 3-4 days.

Transportation has been primarily local buses, where we have been lucky to get a seat by starting at the bus station verse being picked up on the side of the road and tuk tuks for shorter distances (3 wheel carts). The latter rates are always negotiable! However, from Ella, we took the local train to Nuwara Elia (pronounced New Rail E Ya).Both travelers and locals enjoyed the passing sights. 2nd class gave us reserved seats, not sure 1st class was any different except for upholstery!? 3rd class was unreserved and as you may have guessed, more crowded and more interesting meals brought on board to share. Our one night in Nuwara Elia was to break up our journey to our final destination for the next 2 weeks....Kandy. We went to the Grand India Hotel, a very stately, British old world hotel where we enjoyed a great Indian meal and people watching in the large lobby of this 4 star hotel. The gentleman playing the piano took requests so in anticipation of our 30th anniversary (May), he played "Hello" by Lionel Richie.....our wedding song. Nice touch don't you think?

Bus and tuk tuk the next day delivered us to our home stay family. We met Buddika, Darcy and their 15 month old son, Shannu. Next post will tell you all about them and our volunteer projects. We hear snow is coming......to the Northeast. Stay warm, dry and safe.

Susan and Aaron