When we boarded the plane for the start of our round-the-world adventure, we had only one night’s accommodation reserved… our first. The rest was completely up in the air. We knew we were starting in Sri Lanka, and that our first night would be spent at Kandy Cottage, but that’s about all we knew. On the way to the airport, we purchased the Sri Lanka Lonely Planet guidebook on iTunes, and we were off into the unknown, with two kids, two cameras, and two heads filled with dreams coming true.
What we discovered in Sri Lanka, was a beautifully unique country of dichotomous contradictions. Aromatic roasted spices filled the air, mixed with smoke from burning crops and garbage, and a dash of sewage here and there. Atmospheric Buddhist chanting coalesced with relentless horn-honking. Peaceful forests encapsulated by bustling, chaotic cities. And cute, curious little monkeys, interspersed with the odd savage one to keep us on our toes (see journal entries from Day 6).
Here are a few of our favouite memories from our 10 days in Sri Lanka…
- Exploring the 2,000 year old Golden Cave Temple of Dambulla and it’s fascinating buddhist relics.
- Capitalizing on our extreme jet lag by exploring the ancient rock fortress of Sigiriya at sunrise.
- Exploring the ancient Kingdom of Polonnaruwa (as showcased on Disney Nature’s Monkey Kingdom).
- Our very first ever tuktuk (auto rickshaw) ride as a family of four.
- Joining the local school kids on their walk to school, during our hike up Ella’s Rock, where we had a close encounter with a deafening swarm of hornets!
- Riding one of “the world’s most scenic train routes” from Ella to Nuwara Eliya through clouds and tea plantations dotted with Tamil workers in bright, colourful clothes.
- Hiking to the World’s End in Horton Plains National Park.
- Meeting up with Sri Lankan photographer, Geeshan Bandara, in Colombo and swimming in his roof top pool.
Next up… Mann’s in India (coming soon).
Journals by Madelyn (8yrs) and Timmy (6yrs). Photos by mom & dad.
