Sri Lanka continued...

So it's been a very long time since I've written anything about anything on here. Since Christmas I've enjoyed another trip to sunny Sri Lanka and most recently an amazing trip to Jordan. Before I can share any stories and photos from Jordan, I have to finish off my Sri Lankan adventure.

I wanted to wrap up my Sri Lankan posted by mentioning the great people I met while I was traveling there. More than any other holiday, I found that in Sri Lanka it's impossible to go away without being touched by peoples' kindness, and especially their stories of survival and loss through the Boxing Day tsunami. Every person that I met from Hikkaduwa had a story, and most were very open to tell it.

The owner of the hotel we stayed at both times told his story of being separated from his family for days in the aftermath, and brought a tear to everyones' eyes.

One of the shops we frequented was a fabric shop called Anula's. It was run by Anula and her husband and located on what was left of the beach after the tsunami. I went there originally to look at the beautiful duvet covers displayed outside, but after ordering one of my own, Anula invited us to have lunch on her front porch overlooking the ocean. Anula's husband spoke of his own experience in the tsunami; how he survived by climbing up a power pole but knocking all his front teeth out in the process. Despite their hardships, they were happy to be 

Anula and her husband looking very stern for some reason

Another of the fabric shops we went to numerous times was run by Lanka and her mother. We originally went in to get some tops that were displayed outside, but subsequently went back for just about every item they had. The perk of shopping in these little stores was that you could pick out the fabric you wanted from hundreds of samples hanging all around the shop, and choose the pattern from the hanger samples, and they would sew it up for you in a matter of hours. Suffice it to say, I came home with lots of clothes.

Lanka and her mother in the shop

On the Best Day Ever, while at the temple for the full moon celebration, we met a boy who touched our hearts. I noticed him eyeing us from a distance and when he approached he asked, "What's your name?", in rather good English. We responded in kind with our names and asked him his name. He responded with, "Photo?" That was apparently where his English ended. He pointed to the camera and then himself. After traveling in a few other countries where children will expect money for having a photo taken, that's what I was expecting. So I was surprised when all he wanted to do is look at a photo of himself on the tiny screen of the camera. After that was accomplished, he quickly scampered away with the biggest smile I've seen!

"What's your name?"... "Photo?"

And last but definitely not least was the staff at our hotel. From the servers for breakfast everyday, to the maintenance staff, everyone was beyond friendly and helpful. Even bringing us a huge tub of the jam served for the toast and bags of the same tea served for breakfast. I felt the greatest sense of community traveling and staying in Sri Lanka both times I was there. A truly welcoming place and a hidden gem that's quickly being uncovered by many now.

The Best Day Ever...

The date was December 27, 2012. The place was Hikkaduwa, Sri Lanka. And the event was the best day ever! 

After numerous days of relaxing on the beach in the sunshine, our trio ventured off for a day of touring around Hikkaduwa. As it was an 8 hour adventure, I've got too many stories for one little blog. So I'll stick to my top moments of the day!

The first stop of the day was the Tsunami Memorial and Photo Museum. It was a humbling and emotional stop, and a very in-the-moment experience. For this reason, I don't have any photos for this part of the day. During the previous days, I had met so many people who had heart-wrenching personal stories about their own experience with the tsunami. To see the photos of the event and aftermath was too much for words. If you're interested in more information I'd encourage you to check out the Tsunami Photo Memorial Blog. Even eight years later, many people are still rebuilding from the devastating effects of the tsunami.

At the local temple. The hands mean to give and receive knowledge.

This day in particular was a special day to be out and about as it was a full moon that night. In Sri Lanka, Buddhists celebrate every full moon with a day off and ceremonies at the local temples. Our next stop on the tuktuk tour was a beautiful temple near Hikkaduwa. I was in awe at the stunning statues and murals, but what really caught me was one very adorable temple dog!

The sleeping buddha

Images inside the temple

Happy puppy!

Cozy tuktuk ride

Baby sea turtle

A variety of other highlights for the day came in the form of many wild and wonderful animal encounters. After a trip to a moonstone mine and an ayurvedic spice garden, we visited a sea turtle hatchery, where conservation work is ongoing to protect the species native to the area. Not only did we get to hold baby sea turtles (which are ridiculously cute) but we got to hold some fairly heavy grown-up ones too!

Do not drop the sea turtle!

On our way to lunch we found an elephant. I have never come face to face with such an amazing and mammoth creature. Talk of an elephant ride was tossed around, but after seeing all the heavy chains around his neck it didn't seem like a positive idea. But I did get to touch an elephant! Serena quoted this as the first appearance of my "5-year-old face", as I spontaneously revert back into a giddy and giggly 5-year-old when faced with such an experience.

Although the elephant encounter was exciting, it couldn't hold a candle to the next. The latter part of our afternoon was spent on a boat ride through the lagoon. With stops at an island temple, a cinnamon plantation, and a hilarious and ticklish fish foot-massage, the lagoon cruise was one of the top highlights. However, the high point of the entire day for me was meeting a little monkey in a canoe and having him sit on my shoulder!!! For anyone who knows me even a little, this was the biggest, hugest thing! Quote of the day: "This made my life!"

Cutest monkey ever!! I am in love!

Fishy foot massage

Baby alligator

Ever wonder where cinnamon comes from? This guy can show you!

Water monitor: just hanging out

Temple in the lagoon

Shrine on the water

On our way home

Thus concludes the highlights of the best day ever! Stay tuned for the next installment of Sri Lanka (work willing, hopefully it won't be another two-week wait).

Sri Lankan adventures...

I've seen a lot of places in the last few years, but after an absolute whirlwind of a trip to Sri Lanka, I would have to say that it is quite possibly one of the most beautiful places I've ever been! That being said, I don't think it's possible to sum up my entire Sri Lankan experience in one post. So, this will be the first of a few notes from the road on the 12-day ride through Hikkaduwa and beyond!

The whole household here in Kuwait is currently coming down from the exhilarating high of our Christmas and New Years trip. Our journey home was dotted with some unexpected bumps in the road (including a flight delayed by more than 7 hours), but we made it back to our little flat in Salwa safe and sound (although, clearly more-than-slightly heartbroken, I must admit). Now home, my mind is quickly wandering back to my first moments and impressions of Sri Lanka...

Two weeks ago, I boarded a plane, excited and anticipatory, for a relaxing, tropical vacation. Upon landing in Colombo, I was struck by the sudden change in behaviour of those around me. Disembarking is generally a hectic process at best, but in this case it struck me more as a full-contact event. Everyone and their grandma, literally, was pushing, shoving and tossing around luggage in the rush to get off the plane. When we did get off the airplane it was a fairly quick and easy trip through immigration and out to our taxi. 

The three hour ride to Hikkaduwa was a bit cozier than expected, as a miscommunication left us with the backseat of a small sedan for the three of us and one big suitcase that wouldn't fit in the trunk. With some mid-ride seat switches, Serena and I shared the duty of "putting our feet up" (aka sitting with a large suitcase where your legs should be).  

After life in the desert, I was in awe to see all the lush layers of green covering most of the landscape from Colombo to Hikkaduwa. And when we arrived at the Nippon Villa Beach Resort, which would be our home for the duration, I immediately fell in love...

 To be continued... a few photos for now. Enjoy!

Our cozy ride from Colombo

Markets around Colombo

Green!!!

One of many, many tuktuks

Remnants from the 2004 tsunami near Hikkaduwa

First cup of Ceylon tea

Love

Holiday houseguest...

The first term of school has ended, with a big party to finish off the last day of school. I had a ball playing games and getting my kids all sugared-up with candy canes before sending them off for their holidays!

Meanwhile, at home... Last minute preparations are in full swing for the upcoming trip for Sri Lanka, for the whole household here! And amidst all this, a new houseguest has recently appeared in our apartment. A small lizard/gecko was discovered this morning and was thusly named "Fred" for the movie 'Drop Dead Fred', which we were watching at the time. Fred was met with a much warmer welcome than our usual houseguests (the cockroaches), and we're hoping that roaches might be in his diet and would be so kind as to help us out with that.

Fred hangin' out

Fred's spot in the kitchen

Wishing a very merry Christmas to you all and a happy 2013! I'll be sure to update with photos and stories of Sri Lanka when I'm back in Kuwait in the new year!

Bahrain adventure...

In the last few weeks, my time has been consumed with the crunch of Report season at work. However, recently, my roommate and I had a the pleasure of a last-minute trip to Bahrain for some much needed visa processing. Bahrain is a rather small Gulf Coast nation about an hour-long flight from Kuwait. I was surprised upon arrival at the temperature in Bahrain. While the weather in Kuwait has cooled down to a “chilly” 20ºC average daytime highs, Bahrain was a noticeable few degrees warmer. 

The other big difference between Kuwait and Bahrain is the fact that you can legally buy alcohol in Bahrain. After 3 months without a pint, Serena and I made a special trip to JJ's Irish Pub for some quality refreshments and a surprise edition of Bahrain Idol karaoke. 

Although my excursion was stretched out to a full work week away, it wasn’t quite a proper holiday as I was writing Reports while I was there. Therefore, it just made me even more excited for my upcoming trip to Sri Lanka for Christmas and New Year!

For now, I’ll leave you with some parting shots from Bahrain. Enjoy!

No matter how many warm and sunny Christmases I have, it still strikes me as odd to see snowmen and palm trees in the same place

My first delicious beer after 3 months in Kuwait! Excitement abounds!

View of the city from my hotel window

I encountered a curious little caged bird on this balcony, who quite accurately mimicked random car noises from the busy street below

The new Bahraini "Coolio", a little Gangsta's Paradise anyone?

Scientific adventure…

During my time off for Eid Mubarak, after the customary shopping and eating, Serena and I ventured to The Scientific Center. We got there just in time for the shark feeding, which consisted of a scuba diver and a bucket of fish food for the various creatures in the tank, including three sharks. The aquarium also had a variety of animals from otters to penguins and owls.

Also included in our pass was a trip to the Discovery Place. Despite the fact that we asked beforehand about the age limit, we were clearly the only adults not accompanying small children. Nonetheless, we had some hands-on fun with magnets, memory, measurements and the like.

After our scientific adventure, we explored the coast line of the city. Up until now it’s been a little on the hot side for walking during daylight hours. It’s finally cooled down to tolerable levels. We walked to the Kuwait Towers but unfortunately were informed that they are under repairs until next year.

To follow are some pictures of the Scientific Center and the Kuwait City waterfront. Enjoy!

Peek-a-boo! This big guy didn’t want to come out for a good picture