Got some work in. Skyped with some great friends. And got on the road at 11. I can't believe how inexpensive the hotels are here. My bills have been ridiculously small. So if this blog inspires you to come to Sri Lanka, call me. I'll come back with you.
We stopped at the turtle hatchery on the way up the coast to Colombo. It was really interesting. The hatchery buys turtle eggs from fisherman (or whomever) for 30 Sri Lankan ruppes ($.27 US). They replant them and let them hatch 48 days later. They hatchlings will stay for two days (until their navel closes over) and then will be released at night. The owner/biologist said this raises the likelihood that the turtle reaches adulthood by three times. It was pretty cool - of course since it is a private endeavor I initially wondered how much profit he made. The more I spoke to him, the more I felt it was earnest.
This was also the first place that I got to see concrete examples of the Tsunami damage. He had before and after pictures of the Tsunami. Wow, totally devastating. As we drove north to Colombo, I got to see a number of shells of houses along the beach with a new house right next to it. Ruwan said that the south and west coast had water inland for many kilometers.
And then we arrived in Colombo. It is the commercial center of Sri Lanka, the main port, and where most embassies are. We arrived on a Buddhist holiday (the third National Holiday since I have been here -- which reeks havoc on everything from changing money to seeing sights to shopping).
The Casa Colombo is awesome. Again, a dirt cheap rate to stay here -- I mean Super 8 type of rate). There are only 12 rooms and it isn't full (and each room is a suite). My suite (I was upgraded my domo told me with pride) is humongous. If you have an extra weekend in Bangalore, fly here for $200 US on Sri Lanka Air and stay in this place. You'll get a ton of bang for your buck. Look at this suite. The bathroom is bigger than the bathroom we had as a hall in college! The pool is phenomenal. I don't take baths but I may need a hot one in that tub!
And then we went to lunch. The other night, I sent Ruwan home to be with his family. His daughter was sick and his wife had all three kids home. I knew it was going to be a beach day and a half for me so I wouldn't need a driver. So today, I got no canned American music on the MP3 player but real Sri Lankan radio AND real Sri Lankan food. AWE-SOME as Aidan would sing-song. Look at this plate of food for $3.50 (inclusive of an orange Fanta, I may add). I spilled red chili sauce from the deviled shrimp on my pants but it was totally worth it. The fried rice comes with its own egg on it. The fried eggplant was sweet and tangy. The chili paster to mix with the potatoes gave hot a new meaning. Dave, before you ask again. No one knows anything about a ghost pepper. But these chili's were super hot.
So after some real shopping with non-inflated tour stop pricing, we did some sight-seeing - without actually being able to go into anything due to the Holiday. I got to see the Sri Lankan Independence Hall. I am partialto the one in Philly. Here the both are so you make the call:
So here I sit at the end of the day by the pool writing on my last full day in Sri Lanka. As my new bud, Dilan asked this morning, "Mr. Chris, will you be back. Can I have your email to send you a note to find out if you are coming back. Sri Lanka needs more people like you to visit. If you come back, I will have you over to my house to cook a real meal for you. Please come back and bring others like you." Six days was not enough, however. I recommend longer.
So I'll get up from beside the pool. It is getting dusk. And ready myself to pack and maybe go into the office tomorrow. I'll continue to blog from Bangalore, but I am guessing it won't be nearly the same since the day will be filled with work.
See you all soon as my time away is now halfway done.
We stopped at the turtle hatchery on the way up the coast to Colombo. It was really interesting. The hatchery buys turtle eggs from fisherman (or whomever) for 30 Sri Lankan ruppes ($.27 US). They replant them and let them hatch 48 days later. They hatchlings will stay for two days (until their navel closes over) and then will be released at night. The owner/biologist said this raises the likelihood that the turtle reaches adulthood by three times. It was pretty cool - of course since it is a private endeavor I initially wondered how much profit he made. The more I spoke to him, the more I felt it was earnest.
This was also the first place that I got to see concrete examples of the Tsunami damage. He had before and after pictures of the Tsunami. Wow, totally devastating. As we drove north to Colombo, I got to see a number of shells of houses along the beach with a new house right next to it. Ruwan said that the south and west coast had water inland for many kilometers.
And then we arrived in Colombo. It is the commercial center of Sri Lanka, the main port, and where most embassies are. We arrived on a Buddhist holiday (the third National Holiday since I have been here -- which reeks havoc on everything from changing money to seeing sights to shopping).
The Casa Colombo is awesome. Again, a dirt cheap rate to stay here -- I mean Super 8 type of rate). There are only 12 rooms and it isn't full (and each room is a suite). My suite (I was upgraded my domo told me with pride) is humongous. If you have an extra weekend in Bangalore, fly here for $200 US on Sri Lanka Air and stay in this place. You'll get a ton of bang for your buck. Look at this suite. The bathroom is bigger than the bathroom we had as a hall in college! The pool is phenomenal. I don't take baths but I may need a hot one in that tub!
See you all soon as my time away is now halfway done.
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