We left Haputale today to head to Anurhadapura via a van. The driver was wonderful and every time Daddy pointed something out to the kids, the driver would pull over so everyone could see. He even did a few U-turns to go back. However, we learned that the line on the map should not have been drawn with a pen, or even a Sharpie, but rather a 2 inch wide paint brush. Our ears would pop going down one set of mount ridge switch backs, then pop going up the next ridge. Cai threw up suddenly about 15-20 minutes into the journey due to motion sickness. Saoirse and Tekla informed us while we were stopped cleaning the van/clothes/Mommy that they felt bad too. Time to re-arrange the seating. We decided to try shifting seating again because Tekla, Saoirse, Cai/Mommy could sit on one bench. Saoirse (who was feeling worse after Cai who would not leave Mommy’s lap) joined Daddy on the front seat. The driver (either due to language barrier or preference) drove through lunch even when Daddy suggested/hinted at lunch time.
We stopped at a beautiful botanical garden in Hakgala and used the time to wonder around and stretch. We also used the time to make sure all the kids had an opportunity to get their photos taken by everyone who wanted to run up and stand in line (about 15 minutes total). We learned that Sri Lanka has a fern tree. We watched the monkeys eat the flowers off of the bushes/trees. We learned that the large monkeys are about the same height as Cai (and startle both Daddy and Cai when they run past just as you step out of the bathroom door and Cai almost gets knocked over). We also learned that the English Oaks get REALLY big when growing in Sri Lanka.
Our next stop was in Durban to see the Gold Temple. It had the world’s largest Buddha in a certain pose that I need to look up on a picture. Oh, and Daddy was mean and did not wait a long time for the kids to get their shoes on, but rather started moving on towards the van. He stopped about 20 feet away to look back and two Sri Lankan women were holding umbrellas over Cai while he put his shoes on. He was struggling with the first shoe so one of the women knelt down and put both shoes on him. Even his sisters were amused by this extra attention he was getting.
As sunset was approaching, Jael yelled out that the large birds that we could see flying by were actually bats. The driver confirmed that they were fruit bats heading out to forage. We finally reached the water side bungalow at about 7 PM. Paid the driver then tried to find something to eat for dinner, learning in the process that neither of the night works spoke English. They kept trying to explain that only breakfast was covered. Daddy was ready to march off with all the kids and find a restaurant when Mommy stepped in to try re-phrasing the request. They did not understand this either, but finally called someone who spoke English to act as an interpreter. Dinner was at a restaurant called Mango Mango and was wonderful. We are still debating whether it was because we were all hungry or because it was good. Doesn’t matter.
Daddy went out for a walk once kids were in bed to get night photos of the stupas across the water. While coming back along the rice paddy walls, he heard splashing in the water. Using his “torch” he was able to find small fish (minnows?) in the water and a several yellow crabs eating them. They had the fish cornered and the fish were trying to get away. Interestingly enough, every time the flash shined on them, all motion from both sides stopped. Apparently no matter how scary the crabs are, both the fish and crabs are more scared of humans.
We stopped at a beautiful botanical garden in Hakgala and used the time to wonder around and stretch. We also used the time to make sure all the kids had an opportunity to get their photos taken by everyone who wanted to run up and stand in line (about 15 minutes total). We learned that Sri Lanka has a fern tree. We watched the monkeys eat the flowers off of the bushes/trees. We learned that the large monkeys are about the same height as Cai (and startle both Daddy and Cai when they run past just as you step out of the bathroom door and Cai almost gets knocked over). We also learned that the English Oaks get REALLY big when growing in Sri Lanka.
Our next stop was in Durban to see the Gold Temple. It had the world’s largest Buddha in a certain pose that I need to look up on a picture. Oh, and Daddy was mean and did not wait a long time for the kids to get their shoes on, but rather started moving on towards the van. He stopped about 20 feet away to look back and two Sri Lankan women were holding umbrellas over Cai while he put his shoes on. He was struggling with the first shoe so one of the women knelt down and put both shoes on him. Even his sisters were amused by this extra attention he was getting.
As sunset was approaching, Jael yelled out that the large birds that we could see flying by were actually bats. The driver confirmed that they were fruit bats heading out to forage. We finally reached the water side bungalow at about 7 PM. Paid the driver then tried to find something to eat for dinner, learning in the process that neither of the night works spoke English. They kept trying to explain that only breakfast was covered. Daddy was ready to march off with all the kids and find a restaurant when Mommy stepped in to try re-phrasing the request. They did not understand this either, but finally called someone who spoke English to act as an interpreter. Dinner was at a restaurant called Mango Mango and was wonderful. We are still debating whether it was because we were all hungry or because it was good. Doesn’t matter.
Daddy went out for a walk once kids were in bed to get night photos of the stupas across the water. While coming back along the rice paddy walls, he heard splashing in the water. Using his “torch” he was able to find small fish (minnows?) in the water and a several yellow crabs eating them. They had the fish cornered and the fish were trying to get away. Interestingly enough, every time the flash shined on them, all motion from both sides stopped. Apparently no matter how scary the crabs are, both the fish and crabs are more scared of humans.
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