Ayubowan Sri Lanka

Warning : This is a REALLY Long post ! 


Now go ahead read it :)


Six months from the day of engagement each day had brought me closer to him. Now Husband and Wife for 2 weeks we are not one of those strange couples coming together after an Arranged Marriage. I knew him well and one such thing about him is : If he does not plan it now then I need to be ready to support him during his Emergency Planning phase in the future. Everything including the destination was decided and planned ? did we ? fine lemme call it planning just 4 days before the journey !!

26^th of May , Sunday afternoon Arjun and me were on our flight to the Paradise island ~ Ceylon aka Sri Lanka. An hour and a half journey we were there and from the moment of landing till our departure we were swept away by the warmth and serenity of the country.

From the airport we drove to the city of Kandy the second largest city of the country in the Central Province of Lanka and home to Buddha’s Temple of Tooth Relic. Driving into the Color and Lights of the city we were swept by the beauty of the creative lanterns and pandols that adorned every home, buildings and roads of the city. It was then we got to know that in May the Vesak (Buddha’s Birthday) was celebrated and lanterns were lit to pay homage to the birth , enlightenment and death of Lord Buddha. A blissful night at the Thilanka Resort where we were welcomed with the freshly brewed Ceylone tea. The next day a Visit to the Temple of Tooth Relic and then Elephant Safari followed by a visit to the Pinnewala Elephant orphanage ! then the wood carving and batik making centres. 

Next couple of days was pure relaxation at the Cocoon resort. Playing in the gently lapping waves of the Indian Ocean we spent time on the warm shores and soft beach sand of Beruwala & Bentota. Here we had been to a turtle hatchery where we played with one year old turtles ! Boat safari in the estuary of Madu ganga which houses 64 islands. During the ride we watched a boatman pull out a Jelly fish alive to show off , got a glimpse of the water monitor lizard and King fishers waiting patiently for their fish prey, prawn fishing, Fish spa in the middle of the river from hundreds of small fishes, we caught hold of a baby crocodile in our hands , visiting an island with the Buddhist monastery where a monk showed us an 150 year old book made out of palm leaves, another island where only one family lived to make products from cinnamon, another island that had 250 families living in it and was connected to the mainland via a bridge, in and out of the mangrove forest we finally saw the place where the river enters the sea at Balapitiya.

Then we geared up for our last two days at Colombo . Halting at Mount Lavinia beach we headed for the sunset view from Global Towers our resort that stared upon the ocean front. Stepping out into the balcony from our room on the third floor it was a breath taking view of the ocean, sunset and strong winds that could blow one of the feet. Tempted we walked to the beach to play with the waves and golden sand.

Last day was the city tour of Colombo , the largest city of the country we drove around getting a glimpse of the Galle road, Galle face green, Temple Trees – Lankan President’s home , two World Trade Centre towers, Bank of Ceylon, Town Hall of Colombo, UN office , BMICH , the Nelum pokuna theatre, visit to Sri Lankan Cricket board’s office & Independence Memorial Hall and did some last minute shopping.

Back in India at my desk as I write this post I feel the bliss of my trip wishes being fulfilled completely:

First abroad trip
Fun & Romance
Long drives
Adventure
Bedazzlement by the beauty of the country
Tasted most of the stuff in the Lankan Restaurant's Ala Carte
Bought gifts for family
Got us some souvenir !
Lastly some work for my camera lenses :p

Vesak at Kandy

A click from The Temple of Tooth Relic

One year old's at Turtle hatchery

Sharing some love

Cloudy before Sunset @ Colombo

The Sunset in the Indian Ocean 

Love @ Lanka

Finally Thank you Dear Husband (^_^)