In this age of āinstantā communication, one never knows when or where a new relationship will develop. Some will remain like āpen pals,ā (remember those?) but others can grow and form relationships that become very special. This travel story was a result of such a relationship. Also, my meeting John was an unforeseen occurrence in itself. We had taken out granddaughter to a play and he was sitting beside us. We struck up a conversation and he mentioned he was about to leave on a trip to visit friends in Sri Lanka. This is his story.
Sitting in the dimly lit cabin of the massive Qatar Boeing 777-300 ER, tears are streaming down my face. I let them fall. Iām on my long 18-hour, 10 minute flight home from an incredible 2 week vacation in Sri Lanka, Asia. Such loneliness and tiredness had started to set in.
You see, I had just been dropped off at the departure terminal at Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo. Friends Suban and Ashad let me off at the curb and I got in line with the hundreds and hundreds of others leaving Sri Lanka. It was about midnight and my 3:15 a.m. flight home seemed so sad to me.
Before I begin, I want to make a very special thank you to my Sri Lankan friend. His name is Vasanthan S. (Suban) He provided me with a once in a lifetime daily experience during my vacation. This was my second summer traveling to Asia due to an unexpected Facebook friendship that began in 2012 ā 7 years ago. After many years of corresponding, I decided to travel to visit Suban and his family. His family consists of his mother, father, and sister. Subanās father is a retired English teacher in the Sri Lankan school system, his mother continues to teach, and his sister attends university.
My August 8, 2019 trip began as I left OāHare for Hamad International Airport in DOHA. 13 hours and 10 minutes, with a layover. I made my last 5 hours and 10-minute flight to Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka. I Landed at Bandaranaike International Airport at 3:45 a.m. As I left the arrivals area, Suban and Ashad met me, greeting me with a bouquet of flowers and the biggest smiles I had ever seen. What a great feeling for me after such a long flight. I understand that it is culturally appropriate to greet with flowers, or candy, etc. Believe me, I was so happy to see them both. Hugs and more hugs, smiles we headed out to the car.
Suban and Ashad made a 3-hour journey from Kandy, the city which was my final destination for the 2 weeks. Upon reaching Kandy in the wee hours of the morning, I got checked into the Piumara Residence. I believe it is a 10 room hotel with a bed and breakfast sort of feel. My room was very comfortable for my stay. Westernized, with a nice queen bed, private bathroom with shower and toilet. What more could a person need…lol. I stayed there during the summer of 2018, and Suban arranged for my stay during this visit. I would recommend this hotel, staffed with very friendly all-male, young service staff, I would say in their 20s. For the traveler to Kandy, a very reasonable cost and great location for walking to the Kandy Lake and downtown area.
Travel
During the entire 2 weeks, Suban drove his small car. Kandy, also full of Tuk Tuks, small motorized open-air taxis. The traffic was insane, with taxis, motorcycles, autos, and thousands and thousands of people on the streets at any given time. I had the chance to ride in a Tuk Tuk, fun and yet a wild ride. Also, for the traveler, buses run all the time, with quick stops and people hopping off and on.
As a means to explain the daily experiences, I will list and describe my AWESOME 2 weeks chock full of adventures. Sites that only seeing them in person could do them justice. Suban took us to incredible sites each and every day. As with every traveler, each of us takes away something special from the places we visit.
Sembuwaththa Lake: Colombo Picturesque beauty at is best. Such an incredible lake located at the top of a mountain. After a very winding drive up the mountainside, we spent a couple hours walking around the massive lake, watched zip lining overhead, and people taking boat rides around the lake. We ate freshly cooked corn right from a boiling pot at a stand. Really, this place was so incredible, such beauty. I know that does not give the reader much to envision, but through these eyes, it was just beautiful.
Asala Perhera: A magnificent temple located at the top of another mountain. After a 2-hour drive up the winding mountain, we arrive at an amazing temple. This was a family outing. I was required to wear a wrap, no shoes upon entering the temple. Shoes were left in the car. The family had a special fruit plate and bay leaf swag that during prayer, both were presented. A special part of this day was Suban and I sitting in silence as we offered prayers in a prayer room located in the lower level of the temple.
Special note – On my second day at the hotel, (my room was on the second floor), I notice monkey droppings and food pieces on my balcony. On the window – a sign was posted warning guests to keep windows and the door locked. There SURE was a reason, so keep reading to find out why.
Daladha Perahara – Kandy: Magnificent lighted elephant parade. I understand that people travel from throughout the world to witness this amazing event. Elephants adorned with lights, and beautiful coverings, flame twirlers, native drum corps. This 3-hour parade was such an amazing experience. It was the reason Suban asked me to visit in August. It was a very special night, as the entire family experienced this for the first time. It is costly, and they had never attended. It is too bad I cannot attach a video. It was amazingā¦
MONKEY update … Hereās what happened
I had asked you to read on…in the morning, I woke to see a family of five monkeys on my balcony. Since the sighting of the droppings and food, I anticipate with some excitement of seeing them. I watched as chills filled my body. Awesome and creepy at the same time. I grabbed my phone and started snapping away some once in a lifetime pictures. Believe me, I was AWED by the sight of them and was SO GLAD I had adhered to the signā¦
Royal Botanical Gardens: A great day spent walking around the beautiful grounds. Nature at its best. Special moment, Suban and I spoke with a family of 5 from France. It is so interesting who you meet. We had also met a couple from Germany at a different location.
Hunas Leisure Park Waterfall is an eco-friendly Tourism project and was spectacular. We made our way up a rocky area to see an amazing waterfall. People were in the pool at the base of the falls. If you go and want to get in the water, be prepared, it is very cold
River Side Hotel: as we had made the 3-hour drive to Colombo for the waterfall, we stayed at this very nice hotel. Great hotel for the night. I would also recommend this for the traveler while in Colombo.
Sri Lankathilaka Rajamaha Viharaya (Pinnacle of Lanka) is a historic temple built on the summit rock named Panhalagala in the village of Rabbeggamuwain Udunuwara Division of Kandy District. (try saying that 3x fast!). It dates back to 1344 C.E. during the reign of King Bhuwaneka Bbahu IV, who was a ruler of great wisdom and faith. It is considered the most magnificent architectural edifice created during the Gampola era. Please note that this is a must-see if you visit. Such a beautiful location, with Buddhist monks still living on the property.
The National Zoological Garden Zoo in Dehiwala is a beautiful zoo, with many creatures that one would expect to see: exotic leopards, lions, monkeys, snakes, etc. So much to see, and a couple of hours well spent.
No words can express my experience at the Wannila Aththo Heritage- Aborigine Village. This ancient tribe is near extinction with only approximately 2,600 left in Sri Lanka. I had the privilege to sit and have my picture taken with a tribesman. A VERY RARE experience from what I am told. You must ask for permission for this to happen else expect trouble. We toured this unique museum out in the jungle area, which housed the incredible history of this tribe.
If you have time, here is another temple worth visiting. Embekka- specialists in wood carvings. Amazing centuries-old carvings on the pillars of an old temple site, the 14th century Gadaladeniya Temple, the hill capital of Sri Lanka. A must see! The statue of Lord Buddha, 88 feet tall, 850 feet from the city level.
How does one summarize two weeks of my incredible journey? I do not have the adjectives to do that in detail. The wonders of each of the locations we visited are embedded in my eyes forever. As a traveler, I cannot imagine doing this kind of adventure without my loving and amazing friend. Suban is native to the country, growing up in the culture he calls home. I did see throughout the city other tourists, and some seemed to have a tour guide. In my estimation, it would be the ONLY way to see the incredible places I visited.
