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.
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| 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!
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| The sleeping buddha |
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| Images inside the temple |
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| Happy puppy! |
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| Cozy tuktuk ride |
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| 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!
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| 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!"
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| Cutest monkey ever!! I am in love! |
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| Fishy foot massage |
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| Baby alligator |
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| Ever wonder where cinnamon comes from? This guy can show you! |
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| Water monitor: just hanging out |
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| Temple in the lagoon |
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| Shrine on the water |
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| 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).
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