FOR THE FAMILY

Happy birthday, Pop! Some family shots for all the grandparents to enjoy.

Dressing up as Daddy.

Jay-Jay on the beach at Galle.

Don't these three look like they're posing for an album cover?! This photo was taken at Galle.

At Galle we caught up with Mahesh and his family, who we met last time we were in Sri Lanka. We spent Sinhala & Tamil New Year's Day at Mahesh's house. They fed us Sri Lankan sweets and a little cricket was played.

The New Year is seen in at midday on the 13th of April. The sound of firecrackers can be heard echoing across the countryside at midday. Here the kids are having fun with sparklers.

Brenton at Galle fort. No, he's not facing the firing squad!

Another photo taken at Galle fort.

We stopped for lunch on the way home from Galle and the boys got to play with the lobsters (as you do!).

Brenton makes friends.

GALLE FORT

We recently made a visit to the fort at Galle. I think this might be one of my favourite places I have visited in Sri Lanka so far. A small fort was constructed here by the Portuguese and, later, extended and developed by the Dutch. I find the historic architecture and sense of timelessness appealing. It's narrow streets are alluring and it's massive rock walls are impressive. Still, the fort is not a land lost to time but remains a thriving community. Inside it's walls are homes, churches, mosques, temples, offices, courts, companies, shops, hotels and restaurants.


This is one of the entrances to the fort. This photo was taken inside the fort, so you are looking out to see Galle International Cricket Stadium and the buildings of New Galle.











Along the mighty wall of the fort, tourists and locals alike enjoy a late-afternoon stroll. In the open, grassed areas numerous friendly cricket games will be in progress and young children run races.









Looking down one of the streets inside the fort.


















A restored bull cart.













It seems that each town in Sri Lanka has a clock tower serving as a point of reference. This is the fort's clock tower. Moments earlier a friendly game of cricket had concluded on this green.











Sunset from the fort walls.

TURTLE FARM

While travelling down south we stopped at a turtle farm in Kosgoda. It was an enjoyable, interactive experience.




The turtle worker digs up the latest hatchlings from the mounds of sand. Each mound is labelled to identify the species of turtle egg and when the eggs are due to hatch.

Bit of an intese few moments for these little fellows, but it is apparently eco-tourism. We just scare the little fellows from ever coming back to land.

This is the tank where the babies are held until they are three days old, or Jaymon drops them (thankfully not).

This is the best tank to play at because the babies are too small to fight back - unlike some of the bigger ones, like Osama, who tries to remove any finger placed in front of him.

Cute little fellows. Well, the ones with the long tails are. The ones with short tails are cute little girls. Fun and we learnt stuff.

Baby Crush here will grow up to 2m long and weigh a few hundred kilos.

Plenty of photo opportunities here. Not sure who is more suprised!

Meet Osama: Finger Destroyer. He even tries to get out of his tank.

Not so keen once he is out though.

SCENES FROM THE SOUTH

Just some pretty pictures for you today. These were taken on a recent trip to the south of the island.


This is Taprobane Island at Weligama. At low tide you can walk out to the island. There is a hotel on the island and apparently it's pretty special. If you have a few thousand to spend (per night) you can have the island all to yourself. Otherwise, get some mates to chip in!










Enjoying the waters at Old Galle.

After the swim.

Brenton at Weligama.













Fancy a massage? Only for foreigners though. Photo taken from Unawatuna Beach.
















Looking across to Old Galle.















Taken from the fort walls at dusk.













Sunset at Unawatuna Beach. Gorgeous, isn't it?! Now imagine sitting at a simple beachfront restaurant, with sand in between your toes and an ice cold drink in your hand. Ah, the serenity!

DADDY'S TAKING US TO THE ZOO TOMORROW

Recently we visited a nature park. It was an interesting mix of zoo, cultural village and amusement park. First up were some displays showcasing traditional Sri Lankan life. These displays were followed by a small zoo. The zoo housed monkeys, birds, porcupines, rabbits, mongooses, a wildcat and a deer. There was also an African lioness. The only thing stopping you from sticking your arm in her cage was a small trench. And common sense, I hope!




After the zoo we were able to explore a series of artificial caves set up as "Jurassic Park".

The boys were very cautious of all the 'dinosaurs'.







Darren had a great time shouting loudly every time the boys turned a corner and then photographing their terrified little faces. What brave little adventurers they were.
After this, the nature park became more like an amusement park or fun fair, complete with fairy floss, carousel and pony rides. We stopped for a drink while the boys played in the park. This was followed by a train ride with a twist. Near the end, a man with a gun stops the ride, asking for money. He is supposed to be Sri Lanka's version of Robin Hood. Brenton was not sure quite what to make of this, while Jaymon thought it was fantastic and wanted him to do it again!

There were animals to pat; horses, donkeys, dogs and sheep. There were also others simply for viewing pleasure; a grumpy looking bull, some deer and a boar.

There were also several more walk-through displays of Sri Lankan culture and history.

None of us got eaten, though.

Still, it pays to be cautious!

THE FAMILY ALBUM

For those of you out there who need your fix of family photos (you know who you are!)


Brenton meets a monkey on the beach (the monkey is the one in the middle!)

Jaymon the fearless!






















Here the boys have been asked to show their biggest smiles.







Jaymon demonstrates his super powers.












Is this Brenton or a koala?

Darren is feeling a little peckish. It is interesting to note that sometime after this photo was taken, both of our tortoises went missing. We have been scratching our heads wondering how they could have escaped and I even began to consider the possibility that somebody may have stolen them. Maybe the answer to this mystery is staring us in the face!






Ah, happy family!

VISITORS (PART 2): MEN AT WORK

Now just in case you saw our last blog entry and thought, "Hey! What's the story with these slackers? All they did was play!", we thought we better put some photos in to show that it wasn't all about the firecrackers and porcupines.

This photo was taken when we Aussies met with a group of community leaders.

Here, Prince & Ernie pass the time of day at the village well. This photo was taken when Dave & Ernie were visiting a tsunami housing project in Koralawella.

Smile! Ernest the dentist hands out toothbrushes at a Montessori. This Montessori is in another tsunami housing project area and has been in operation for about a year. The teacher-in-charge told us that the kids had very poor hygiene before they started at the school, but they had been able to turn that around. Ernie gave a lesson on how to brush teeth properly and each child was presented with a toothbrush and a balloon.

Ah, my natural environment! Here the kids do an art and craft activity that helps to develop dexterity and fine motor skills. They tear up pieces of coloured tissue paper and roll it into small balls. They are each given a picture (hand drawn by the teacher) and they must use their fingers to put glue on the picture and then stick the coloured tissue balls on. The action of rolling the paper is similar to the action used when they roll rice in their fingers for eating, so this activity is also good for developing this important skill.

One of these things is not like the others! Dave makes some friends in the class room.

So it's back to school for Ernie. Today Ernie learnt how to colour in and how to make a flower from craft materials. Although he did not get a gold star, the teacher says that if he is a good boy he can come back another day.

Dave was particularly taken by these signs recruiting for the army. I wonder whether this straight-to-the-point, blunt-as-a-butter-knife approach might work for our defence force!?!