Return to Sri Lanka

We return to Sri Lanka - and even though we have another visa problem we are happy to be here and feel the peace of this Buddhist country with its lovely temples.

The simple and sincere adoration of the people is so sweet.

And we are fortunate to have Iraj explaining all the symbolism of the various statues and the stories on the murals. Such an ancient and deep tradition.

Even the ceilings are gorgeously painted.

And we are delighted to be back to home-cooked meals! And vegetables, which were sadly missing in most of India.

We finally get to meet Iraj's friends - the Girl Posse. Absolutely delightful young women who have a rollicking good time teasing each other - but can just as easily slip into  deep and interesting conversation. And who can complain about drinks and food right on the beach! (Other than the price of cocktails which was at US standards!)

The next day we leave for our own beach experience - really craving some nature and some chill-out time.  Though chill-out is a funny term considering the temperatures here!  Beach breezes heal all. And we found a lovely Italian cafe to quench our desire for real coffee and Western food - getting tired of all the curries and the stews. We find it strange that so much of the food is heavy stews that seem more suited to a winter climate.

Wide beaches with clean sand - impossible to walk on in the midday sun.  Big winds in the afternoons.

On Sunday it was packed with locals. Just amazing to watch women in saris wading into the sea squealing and laughing!

Tired of the crowds and traffic and realizing just how much India has sapped us we venture further north on the west coast to a posh Belgian owned retreat. A bit of a splurge and we soak it up. Six small cottages.

A glorious comfy bed with ironed and soft sheets! 

A shower open to the air!

Lovely art scattered about the grounds.

A pool!!!  With chairs in the shade!

Outdoor dining

Western breakfast! And dinners! Cooked by Belgian chefs!

Chairs by the riverside. And canoes for bird watching paddles.

A guitar for Glenn to work on his softening calluses while awaiting breakfast.

A sweet baby cow named Elodie

Bikes available for a ride to the beach.

Beautiful gates to many of the homes, even the less fancy ones.

The strangest tree here. The bark looks like a pine but obviously NOT! 

We tear ourselves away from 2 days of peace, quiet, good meals and physical exercise!  Back to Colombo to take the family out for a thank you dinner. The railroad stations all are so nicely kept - there is competition among them to win the prize of the most beautifully kept.

It is a most raucous ride as we are in a car with a large group of young men who sing and chant the whole way! 

We enjoy a fabulous meal of Jaffna curried crab - until the bill comes and we find we have paid $65 for the crab alone. Everyone takes their share of embarrassment as we don't have enough cash to pay after inviting them and they haven't asked about the price of the day. Still - a great meal with great company.