twenty ten chelle & ben: June 2010

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Amanthi and Niranjan's Wedding

Saturday afternoon is Amanthi and Niranjan’s wedding and out of the 20 or so brides I’ve seen over the last couple of days, Amanthi is by far the most beautiful. She wears a delicate ivory sari and looks spectacular.

At 3:45pm there is a nice catholic ceremony held at a local Church (St Joseph's). Ben and I are dressed formally for the first time in months and though the non-air conditioned church proves a real challenge for us both, it’s great to be dressed up and wearing something we didn’t wear, 2 days, 2 weeks or 2 months ago.

We return to the hotel and enter the Empire Ballroom where next a very interesting Buddhist ceremony takes place. Amanthi and Niranjan both stand on a Poruwa and I believe offering and blessings are made. There is a tying of Amanthi and Niranjan’s fingers together with gold thread to symbolise unity, then water is poured over the fingers. The reception then begins in this grandiose room with great food, live music and a lot of crazy dancing.

Sunday morning I am lucky to have a quick coffee with my very happy friend and her lovely husband before going on our way. I can’t wait for them to come to Australia!!!

Amanthi and Niranjan, St Joseph's Church

Amanthi and Niranjan, Poruwa ceremony in Empire Ballroom

Niranjana, Amanthi and the cake!

Myself, Amanthi and Niranjan

Niranjan and Amanthi

Sunday, June 27, 2010

Elephant goes wild, scares tourists : Sri Lanka

Here is the best action from our Jeep safari at Minneriya National Park, Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka part 1

On arrival in Colombo we are met by Romal, our guide/driver for the next 10 days, and begin our drive north to the cultural triangle. We immediately get the feeling of being on a big tropical island (which we are) as we drive along a winding rough edged road with palm trees and stalls, passing through small villages and paddy fields, coconut, cashew, mango and banana plantations.

Our first stop is the Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage. Here we witness 80 odd elephants making their way down to the river for one of their daily baths. I’ve never seen this many elephants together in a group and I am just fascinated as I watch for what seems like hours. We get to our hotel by late afternoon and relax there from the remainder of the day.

Ben’s new choice of wheels

Pinnawela elephants

elephants ...

more elephants ...

Ben and elephant ...

On Monday we drive to the ancient ruined city of Polonnaruwa which we explore for a few hours.

Watadageya

Royal bathing pool

Monkeys

Stupa

Gal Vihara, Rock Temple

Then after a much needed swim back at the hotel (it’s mid 30s and very humid) we go out again for a jeep safari at Minneriya National Park. Ben and I stand in the back of an old jeep (Toyota FJ40 so ben tells me) with our tracker as we drive through the jungle. We see many different types of bird life (all well spotted by Romal), deer and buffalo. The magic is a little spoilt when we get out into the open and drive along the manmade lake, only to see the convoy of jeeps in front, but we see a few herds of elephants and soon forget. Ben got some good footage so I won’t say any more, but it was defiantly a lot of fun for us!

That night we have a relaxing massage and sauna (Ben didn’t quite appreciate the sauna after feeling like he was in one all day long).

Tuesday we have a down day sitting by the pool with a late afternoon trip to Sigiriya Rock Fortress (Lions Rock). The approach was over a moat, then through a very formal arrangement of pools and gardens. Halfway up the rock face there were interesting frescos of women and to the side are giant lion paws (there was a wooden head and the rock shape formed the lions body). On the summit of the rock we looked at the remains of the palace and took in the spectacular views of the land below.

Sigiriya Rock

frescos

path along the rock face

lion paws and enterance to palace

view from the top overlooking the palace ruins

Wednesday we went to Dambulla. Dambulla Cave Temple was an impressive group of 5 caves, each with decorative frescos over the walls and ceiling and numerous Buddha statues.

Dambulla Cave Temple

After a very long drive from Dambulla we eventually arrive in Colombo (the capital of this interesting Island) where we have a quick city tour before checking into the lovely Galle Face Hotel. After feeling like being on a tropical island for the past 4 days we finally make it to the water and are amazed by the force of the waves crashing along the coastline.

It’s wedding season in Sri Lanka and we count at least 5 different bridal parties (each with a more varied colour scheme then the last, and also a traditional Kandian dress too) having photos taken here. We were lucky enough to be walking by one of the ballrooms when one group were entering their reception with a traditional procession of drummers and dancers!

Hindu Temple, Colombo

Galle Face Hotel

Wednesday night I finally get to see Amanthi when I attend her hen’s night at the Cinnamon Grand. After a delicious dinner in Chutneys we catch up with everyone’s partners for drinks and, at long last, I am introduced to the man who is making Amanthi the happiest I’ve seen her in the 12 odd years I’ve known her!

Me, Amanthi, Niranjan

Not wanting to leave the Gale Face Hotel we wake up early for our trip down to Galle. In this city we see the old Dutch Fort and many interesting colonial buildings before checking into the lovely Lighthouse Hotel. Set right on the beach over rocks, it is quite a spectacular setting.

quick stop at a turtle hatchery on the way to Galle

2 day old turtles

lighthouse at Galle

ben on the old fort

backstreet of downtown Galle

renovated colonial building

Beach outside the Lighthouse Hotel

Friday we head north to Mt Lavinia (just south of Colombo). Along the way the streets are very busy as it’s a public holiday and the locals are making their way to temples ... it's the full moon poya day marking the introduction of Buddhism to this country. We check into the Mt Lavinia Hotel (where Amanthi’s wedding reception will be held) and relax.

Beach beside Mt Lavinia Hotel

Locals watching sunset

Sunday, June 20, 2010

KL stop over with Dina and Kimi!

After an early morning flight from Siem Reap, we arrived in KL for a nights stop over. With only 2 weeks until their wedding, Dina and Kimi so very kindly made time to pick us up and entertain us for the day before dropping us back to the airport the following morning at 4am.

By the sounds of it it’s going to be a huge wedding, so it was fantastic to spend some quality time with them both (it has been 2 years since I last saw them in the UK).

Dina and I outside Putra Mosque, Putrajaya

Dina and Kimi

Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin Mosque, photo courtesy of Dina.

Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin Mosque, Putrajaya

Only Ben was appropriately dressed so the 3 of us waited out side while he viewed this amazing mosque and took photos for us.

Friday, June 18, 2010

Cambodia

It’s my birthday today and I couldn’t have picked a better location on our forth full day in Seim reap. Today we are visiting the temple of Beng Mealea which is a good 1 hour drive from the city, but well worth the time. It’s by far the most overgrown and mysterious of all the temples we have visited in the Angkor area and we are both glad we added it to our itinerary.

Cambodia is a very poor country due to a violent and troubled history but it seems to have an undeniable and infectious spirit which puts a smile on your face that never wavers.

It’s hot like nothing I have felt- which in itself is a new challenge. In fact I don't think I had ever seen Michelle sweat before (assumed she was incapable). I could swear it hit 40 yesterday and visiting a temple at midday is a true test of stamina and patience. The good part is the temples are truly a wonder of this world.

We have visited a LOT of temples in the 4 days we have been here so I won’t bore with details of each and every one, but the highlights are definitely Ankor Wat, Ta Prohm, Preah Khan, Banteay Srei and Beng Mealea. There is no doubt why this location is one of the new Seven Wonders of the World. The best way to get around is by Tuk Tuk as it’s slower and closer to riding a bike – without the legwork, giving a feeling of being closer to your surroundings unlike the cacoon of a car. We had the same driver (Soukheng) the whole time and paid the exorbitant amount of $13USD /day. We also took a boat ride out to the floating village of Tonle Sap Lake which was a little too orchestrated towards tourists, but still an interesting few hours.

Each temple or tourist site is usually littered with children. They all have things to sell and use their innocence and helplessness to bring home income for their families or masters. Sometimes we buy or just give money; sometimes we give lollies or simple chatter. It’s a challenge to know what the right thing to do as even if they could afford education their parents would likely earn more keeping them at this business and in most cases food is more important than school.

The food is of course cheap and amazing! We recommend the “Sugar Palm” for an unforgettable meal. Start with the crispy spring rolls! And try their take on the local Cambodian dish of Fish Amok.

I'm not sure what the future holds for this little part of the world but there is positive development thanks to foreign aid and tourism. In the next 5 years I am sure this place will change dramatically for the locals as Michelle tells me much has changed since she visited in 2004. Hopefully it will not lose its charm in trying to pander to ever increasing tourism, but just in case you should plan your visit soon.