DAY 1-2 Hikkaduwa Beach

When we arrived we headed south from the airport about 4 hours to a Hikkaduwa beach. The atmosphere was very laid back and peaceful. We went snorkeling,  on a mangrove tour, and watched baby sea turtles hatch. My favorite was the turtle farm. This is the 1st effort in Sri Lanka to save the sea turtles which are endangered. The turtle farm buys turtle eggs from fishermen, or finds them on the beaches, and provides a safe place for the turtles to hatch. Every night baby turtles hatch in the fenced in sand area, follow the moonlight, and drop into a box they set outside the caged area. In the morning the  people put them into a little water tub where they live for a few weeks. When they are big enough they release them back into the ocean.  They also take in turtles who have been damaged by boats ( arms or legs cut off) and keep them in a safe place. When we were there, one of the little groups of turtles hatched! Special moments..

Handicap turtle...arm cut off in a boat accident

baby turtles, a few days old

Rach holding a mama

babies

Hikkaduwa beach

coconuts

mangrove tour

Sri Lanka

Just got back from my spring holiday in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka is a country located on an island south of India. We took a 7 day trip through the southern part of the country, and up into the middle and west coast. This place is beautiful! So diverse in terrain and culture.  Each place we stayed was so unique from the beach, mountains, waterfalls, to jungles.  We had a driver who took us around, booked our hotels, and drove us to all the touring and local spots we would have never been able to find on our own.  We were able to see many aspects of the county we would not have been able to explore without our guide. The people of this country are very welcoming and kind. Our driver even took us out to a Sri Lankan meal our last night...very hospitable people. I feel very fortunate to have been able to see and experience such a wonderful place! Below are pics from each day on the trip.

Girls at the health convention field trip

After trying to keep all the 20 little ones together in a crowded convention center (thankful their uniforms are pink so I can spot them when they don't turn the corner with me)..we were hustled into one of the booths promoting fitness....they were lovin it..


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lGkNIicZd34&feature=youtu.be

If you are wondering why they are wearing winter parkas in the desert...they make sure to wear all their winter gear...gloves, hats, scarves, ski jackets...this time of year when it is anything below 75 degrees...:)

Home for the Holidays

Got to take a last minute trip home for Christmas! It was so nice to be back home for a little bit. I am so happy I got to spend time with my loved ones..and remember why I love them so much.  Being away you realize just how important your family and friends are. I am blessed to have all these people in my life.   A few things I miss from home:
1. my people..fam, friends, ♥.
2. Fry's grocery store..or any familiar grocery store that is not a puzzle to figure out what is what
3. dollars! not having to convert to figure out prices
4. having a car to get places
5. not having to make sure you are all covered up before going into publc
6. English
7. how fast and easy errands are..like running to the bank, or the gas station..not a long process!
8. streets and directions-so easy and simple!
9. the holiday theme and feeling during December..so happy/busy
10.Chipotle/Olive Garden/Quick Trip/pizza Fridays/TV shows/new music/salad dressing/Fresca/Ross/TJ MAX/BBQing/ Lifetime Fitness or a regular gym/and the Dollar Store.

HAPPY NEW YEAR..may it be filled with faith, love, and happiness

Birthday Celebrations in Dubai

Stayed at a beautiful hotel in Dubai for my Bday in November.Nice treat before end of trimester grading.. Raffles Dubai Below are some pictures.

That is the Burj Khalifa in the background..tallest building in the world

Big Christmas tree in the Wafi Mall, Dubai

Light show-lights projected on the buildings with music in the background

loved the colors in the room

city lights from the balcony

waterfall in the lobby

 
Light show next to the hotel..pretty

link for light show at hotel..very pretty

National Day in Abu Dhabi

Counting down from 40 days...December 2nd was Abu Dhabi's 40th National Day. This is when they celebrate their countries establishment as a union..similar to our 4th of July in the States.  This country is only 40 years young! It is definitely the most anticipated and celebrated event out here! They decorate the city, do activities at school, and there was even a jet flying outside my window the week before streaming red, green, white, and black smoke for National Day pre-celebrations. They are super prideful. My girls at school started wearing national dress and UAE everything (headbands, bracelets, earrings, socks, face paint) all through November up until Dec. 2nd. They would even carry their flags around from class to class, and draw flags on EVERYTHING we did in school. Many of the girls would wear pins on their clothes, and tell me all about which Sheikh was which. I couldn't imagine our 1st graders in the US knowing so much about the presidents! They have much love for the country.

 Hair Dance

Mock wedding for National Day Celebrations

On December 2nd, the actual day it was like a huge party all across the city. The Corniche, which is the street that lines the beach in Abu Dhabi, was packed with people. Everyone BBQ's and picnics and waits for the parade to start. At dusk, cars jam the street in a huge parade of Emirate pride. People hang out the sunroofs of their decorated cars (which have been like this for the past month). They add decals with UAE colors, Sheikhs, and elaborate decorations. Many of the buildings have these decorations and stickers as well. Kids, and teenagers, run around on the street and spray silly string at people. It is pretty crazy. We walked along, and as much as I tried to avoid it, you get covered in silly string. Some men even hold huge flags out the top of their cars. The great thing is it is all good fun. Even though it is irritating to be sprayed in the face with silly string, everyone is very happy and celebrating. Their are no fights or riots...it is all very controlled chaos. I think that no alcohol being involved plays a part in the peacefulness of this. I would describe this day as a mix of 4th of July, Mardi Gras, and homecoming parades.Definitely an unforgettable experience.

 My honda in the parade

Many of the buildings are decorated with lights for National Day...similar to our Christmas time

Hair Dance at school for National Day

OMAN

Driving to Oman

Coconuts on the way to Oman

more streets

Starfish we found in the water

the pool at hotel

our little room

beach

 Country's flag

 The Dhow boats

 On the boat...upstairs

The place we snorkeled

Snorkeling

We took a weekend trip to Dibba, Oman...Just about a 4 hour drive to the tip of Oman, right above the UAE. It was very relaxing and beautiful. The border was very quick and easy to cross, and a we just got a bit lost on the way to the hotel.  We stayed at a little resort called Golden Tulip. It had a pool and beach and was in the middle of no where...nothing around to walk to but mountains and beach. It was very tranquil. We saw fish, hermit crabs, starfish, and manta ray. On Saturday, we took a boat trip on the traditional Middle Eastern boat called a Dhow. We went snorkeling, fishing, and ate lunch. It was heaven. Below are some pictures/videos from the trip. Hope all is well. School is starting to settle down here. I have a student teacher from the local college who is really helpful because she can translate into Arabic for the girls. She is also helping me with the class...don't necessarily feel like I am the best mentor for her..because this is all new for me too:) but it has been good.