People who live in glass houses...

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People who live in glass houses...

Through a friend of a friend (you know who you are) we've been given the wonderful gift of a week's stay at the Silva Tree House (aka The Glass House) on Rumasalla Peninsula just east of the city of Galle.

We're very grateful for this time to rest from our full-on days and build our energies for "Phase 2" of our time in Sri Lanka. Our trip is now half over, we realize.

I've loved having books to read again, from the chest full of books and games, and have already enjoyed "A Year in Green Tea and Tuk Tuks", about the trials and tribulations of the establishment of an organic farm near Galle, and "A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian", a very funny tale of two sisters trying to look after their elderly father who insists on marrying a much younger gold-digger woman. Phil has continued reading from his Kindle library (truly, Lucien), which has so many books in it he feels depressed when he thinks about it.

Because I think in this blog the pictures give the main story, I'll just end here with a peripheral one:

There once was a king who lived in a village of grass huts. To his pleasure and pride, his subjects carved him a beautiful throne from the local wood for presiding regally at official functions. As his fame and power spread, this wooden throne didn't seem quite grand enough, so he got a bigger one, with ivory inlaid designs, and put the first one up in the attic. The years passed and both his dominion and his own arrogance increased, so he insisted on a much larger throne, laden with gold, and the second one was also stored in the attic. Finally his discontent got the better of him and he insisted on an even grander throne, encrusted with jewels. The subjects laboured to get the third throne into the attic, but as they dropped it into place the attic floor gave way and all the thrones tumbled down, killing the king.

The moral of this story? People who live in grass houses shouldn't store thrones.

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Photos

The Glass House
Otherwise known as the Silva Tree House on Rumasalla Peninsula, just outside of Galle. We were so lucky to be offered a chance to stay here!

Glass House living area
The top floor is a large airy treetop space with views to the sea.

Glass House kitchen
At one end of the living area is the kitchen, with its blackboard spaces for important phone numbers, messages and just plain doodling.

Enoka and Mrs Ira
These two ladies cooked us wonderful meals, answered our many questions and looked after our needs. THANK YOU so much!!

Glass House outlook
From the top floor deck you look out across the tree tops. Do you see the birds? The monkeys?

Martha reads on upper deck
Having been without a book of her own for over 2 weeks, Martha is luxuriating in a good long read from the chest of books in the living room.

Glass House recliner
Phil checks out the household books, too.

Glass House in 2 levels
The lower floor, still quite raised from the ground, holds the bedrooms and long decks on both sides.

Glass House stairs
Travel between floors is via this exterior covered staircase.

Glass House master bedroom
Where sunlight, views and privacy combine.

Glass House bath
Yes, I did have a treetop bath. Why not?

Good coffee-what a treat
At the Peddlar's Inn Cafe in Galle Fort.

French Toast brekky
With jaggery syrup, made from the flower bud of the palmyrah palm. Culturally the local equivalent of maple syrup.

Galle Fort shop
The buildings inside Galle Fort, that large old colonial Dutch Fort enclosed in high thick walls, are now becoming trendy boutiques and guest houses.

Galle Fort beach
Time for families and the ubiquitous ice cream truck.

Stone steps to Jungle Beach
Down, down, down to the lovely little beach.

Jungle Beach boat
A local catamaran pulled up between the trees. Is it for rent? Is it used for fishing? Or does it bring in the cold drinks?

Jungle Beach
The lovely quiet beach just down the west side of Rumasalla Peninsula where we're staying.

Jungle Beach Cafe?
Yes, a little kiosk was right there under the trees, so why not have a refreshing drink?

Phil at Jungle Beach Cafe
The publican's son always has time to stop for a drink. Here soft drinks are in recycled glass bottles with abrased exteriors due to their age. A great change from plastic!

Coral wall Jungle Beach
When we asked why the policemen were prowling the beach and rocks, we were told it was to catch the people who use dynamite to kill fish--and blast up the coral in the process. See the wall behind me made of lumps of coral?

Comments

[Michelle]

Glass House
You time in the Glass House is obviously a well needed rest which you both fully deserve. Enjoy!! And thanks for the great pictures. M xx

[John]

Thankyou
Dear Martha and Phil, I'm very grateful for pictures to see how the house is holding up. I'm glad you had a bath Martha. That's the Princess bathroom. No man has ever bathed in that bathroom.

[HZ]

beautiful glass house
amazingly green and definitely looks like you have a trip back to the nature? ;-)