...and then there were four...

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Sri Lanka was a great change from India. The tuk tuk drivers still had the same bloody attitude problems as in india, but the sri lankan people were charming and the change in scenery was well-earned.

Adding dave the traveller'' to our equation in kerela, she also graced us with her presence in Sri Lanka. Day one we headed to pinewella, an orphanage for elephants!! Here, in the 40 degree heat, we watched in amazement the eating, cleaning and daily rituals of the orphaned elephants.

From here we ventured east to a place in the hills called Kandy. Staying in lovely homestay, we explored Kandy for two days before heading on a religious pilgramage up Adams Peak, a 4000 stepped pilgrim walk just south of kandy. If getting up at 2:30AM (!) was not bad enough (so that we could reach the top of the mountain by sunrise), walking up the 4000 steps still half asleep with thousands of other pilgrims was enough to test our endurance. Decending was the real test as our legs turned to jelly, we realised just how unfit we where when we were being overtaken by old-aged sri lankan women in saris 😊 A definate feat, but well worth it!

We were then joined in Hikkaduwa by Matthew, also know in She bu as 'Jimmy Luffman'. Here we filled in our days lazing on deck chairs, swimming and trying to find the 'ideal chocolate milkshake'! It was really interesting hearing all of the scary tsunami stories from the locals.

We then headed further south to an idyllic bay called Unawatuna. Here there was much of the same eating/swimming/sleeping formula perfected in hikkaduwa. We also went on two day trips, to Galle fort and Welligama. Galle was amazing as it was greatly affetcted my the tsunami - the whole cricket stadium was washed away! The actual fort was protected due to the large surrounding sandstone walls.

We also ventured further south to a place called Welligama. Our mums school in sydney sponsors a primary school in welligama who were badly affected by the Tsunami. Here we took photos of the children, explored some of the class rooms and drank tea with their charming school principle. It was great to see the new buildings that have been built due to the funds raised through the World Vision program. we also went to a nearby beach called Marissa. This was beautiful, the closest beach we have come to resembling an aussie beach - it actually had surf!

The cricket final - by the time the rains actually cleared - was great. So much fun being in Sri Lanka for it as the Sri Lankans are just as passionate about there cricket as Australians. Quite a few drinks were consumed as we watched the game on the big screen which doubled up as a pain killer for me, who unluckily got hit in the head by a large wooden Sri lankan flag held by a crazed sri lankan supporter......the aussie victory also helped to ease the pain😊

Cradleing our hangovers (and me the large bruise forming on my head) we travelled back up to Columbo for a night. A little nervous entering Columbo, after hearing about the bombs and air raid which had happened the previous night, we found refuge in a lovely homestay in Cinnamon Gardens. Splurging on a buffet meal at the Galle Face Hotel (delicious!) we then explored Columbo until it was time to go our seperate ways: Jimmy back to London, Dave back to India and the Morahan sisters to bankok to start the second chapter of their trip: South East Asia.

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Comments

[hellybear]

thats my clare