Surfin' Lanka

The Aussies finally arrive at the Indian Ocean and dive straight in. Matilda is free to dance and sing to her heart's content. Contemplating her next wave. Hello Mr Chamelon (again) The view from our hotel in Ahangama (near Galle). Lunch in/on Mirissa Beach. My daily gluten free meal... rice & curry, bliss! Brendan's morning ritual, boogie boarding until he got hungry. Cutie My favourite photo of the trip. A fisherman waiting for a bite.

Beach belle

Daddy & daughter, I love these shots.

We caught up with DESS friends at their hotel in Koggala. Phil dares touch the crab, to the girls' delighted squeals.Matilda, Phoebe, Amy & Isabelle We've got more waves to catch. The next hotel in Hikkaduwa was exquisite. Perfect small boutique hotel with excellent service. Plus, the BEST rice & curry in Sri Lanka! Our daily breakfast. Our daily visitor.
Our last night... boohoo.

Sweet Sweet Lanka - Horton Plains National Park

This morning we took the steep drive up to a national park. Passed lots of rice paddy fields along the way. One thing that is noticeable in Sri Lanka is how neat and ordered everything is. The people seem to house proud too.

One of hundreds of little roadside shops we passed.

Gorgeous.

Mooooove.

Lots of stray dogs in this country.

Hello Mr Chameleon.

I'm delighted... here is photographic proof that the girls DO love each other. The sibling rivalry stops for a few minutes and I got it on film!

This precipice is called "World's End"... sheer drop off into the clouds.

A lot of species are endemic to this park. So many varities of trees and birds.

We reached the top!

Rhododendrons just starting to bloom.

Baker's Falls

On the way down the mountian in our van.

So pretty.

Well done girls on walking 10 kms with no complaints! Ice cream and local fresh strawberries?

Sweet Sweet Lanka - Tea Country

Further up the hills we go in search of Ceylon tea. We pull in to the Blue Field Tea factory for a tour. Very interesting indeed. The varieties you get from the same leaf.

Ready for market.

Workers waiting to go home.

Once you spot the tea trees, you realise they're everywhere.

Some ladies still out picking leaves.

Sweet Sweet Lanka - Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic

In the heart of the city, this beautiful temple stands. It houses the Relic of the tooth of Buddha. Floral offerings. The school children visit on their last school day before a three week break.

This fierce animal (eyes of an eagle, mouth of a crocodile, ears of a monkey, nose of an elephant, body of a fish, tail of a peacock and feet of a lion) guards the Relic.

Good reminder.

The girls discover an unusual flower that opens up just like a pagoda.

This temple has been restored every time after several bombings since it was built in 1595.