2013-09-21

Sri Lanka does not cease to amaze me - I'm privileged to witness this incredible beauty of nature here and lucky to share it all with lovely people. I've seen more elephants in the wild - what graceful animals! I've seen the most beautiful rainbow in my life while waiting for the next wave in the line-up, I've seen beautiful sunrises and the brightest full moon ever. I don't think I have words to describe it really. Just makes me feel so humble and grateful.




 
Early bird catches the worm! Headed to a surf spot at 05.10 this morning and had the most awesome surf against the odds (felt a bit strange last night and slept really bad)! Surf can be such a gamble, but "knowing the bitter allows me to appreciate the sweet":) I feel like all that I've learned during the past 2-3 years of surfing (on-off), is slowly coming together here. The session this morning was just incredible! Clean waves, long rides, beautiful sunrise. I kind of feel connected to something higher when I surf. It is simply amazing. Shukran allah!!! (The population in Sri Lanka mainly consists of Tamils, Sinhalese and Mulslims, Arugam bay being Muslim-dominated.)
 




I wanted to have a bit of a look around to also see a little more than Arugam bay:) Visited Ella, which is referred as being the most beautiful village in Sri Lanka. It sure was, but I missed the Ocean!


Amen!


This one too surely keeps the doctor away.... According to Wikipedia: "Unless the coconut has been damaged, it is likely sterile. There have been cases where coconut water has been used as an intravenous hydration fluid in some developing countries where medical saline was unavailable."

2013-09-09

From the concrete jungle to a real jungle! Been to Sri Lanka for a week now. I got a taxi from the airport to the other side of the country (busted -that's how middle aged I've become...). The distance is maybe 300km and took about 9 hours... I fell asleep on the way and woke up since we had stopped in the middle of the road. As I was wondering why, the driver went: "Elephants on the road, very dangerous!" And there were indeed two elephants on the road! (What a welcome to the country:) Fortunately they continued their way to the jungle and we got safely to Arugam bay.

And here I still am - surfing every morning at 6 o'clock, drinking coconut water, eating amazing food, hanging out with beautiful people and enjoying life! It's a lot like South India here in many ways and this tropical jungle is pretty amazing really. . Goes without saying that the surf (without wetsuit!) is just fantastic - happyhappyhappy:)







2013-09-03

At the airport about to leave Singapore now! Sri Lanka here I come! Big thanks to my generous host, big thanks to this city! A few more photos of the last days in the city of which cleanliness I will surely miss in other Asian destinations.. Will miss the botanic garden!