Day 4- Nuwara Eliya

We traveled 7 hours north from the beach inland to the highest place in Sri Lanka. It was cool and mountainous. We stopped at few places to sight see and toured a tea factory. Beautiful..

 tea factory

trying on a Sari

Day 3 Marissa Beach-Blue whales

We took a impromptu trip to a beach called Marissa. It was my favorite beach...very small and unique. We did a boat tour which took us about an hour out into the ocean..and we saw blue whales! The pictures do not do justice...they are huge creatures! First, you would see the back pop up over the water, and then about 10 seconds later the fin. They are big.

 Blue whale fin

 fishing boats

traditional way of fishing in SL..from on top a stick

 whale fin

to spot the whales they would look for them blowing the water up like a fountain...then we would drive the boat in that direction

snake charmer

sunsets

more Hikkaduwa pics

baby crocodile

monk

 little catamaran we rode on to go snorkeling

mangroves

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