EASTER IN AUSTRALIA 2013

After our great trip in Sri Lanka,we flew to Singapore,then Sydney,train to Newcastle,where Olivia picked us up drove us to Hawks Nest, for a holiday at the seaside.nicola and michael were upfrom sydney,philippa down from middlemount,both very pregnant,andrew had to work.
It was great catching up with them and liv,s jack,and sopie,s chris.
We enjoyed beach walks,local news,nice food and not having the heat and humidity of asia.

Sophie,Philippa,Kerry,Olivia,Nicola

NEGOMBO 29march SRI LANKA 2013

As we fly out tomorrow,we made our way to this seaside town,half an hour from Columbo airport.
We found a nice guesthouse,said goodbye to our van and driver,hired some pushbikes and spent a lovely afternoon cycling.In the port there are hundreds of colourful fishing boats,about
50 feet long,made of fibreglass.presumably a lot of wooden ones were lost in tsunami,and these replaced them.Negombo has become a major departure point for boatpeople to Australia.
Negombo is also known as LittleRome- as it has so many large catholic churches.most of the population is catholic.yoday was good friday.all the churches had huge congregations with outdoor stages and plays.there were large groups walking to chuches,the women in all white finery.young girls in exquisite dresses,with wings,ie dresses up as angels,were carried on high platforms,down streets to various chuches.it certainly felt like we were in another country than sri lanka.

MIHINTA 28march SRI LANKA 2013

We stopped here on way back to Anuradhapura.another 2000 yearold temple site,where we got some good exercise

JAFFNA PENINSULA 28mar. SRI LANKA 2013

Today we did a tour of the Jaffna Peninsula,north of the city.it was a lovely day.
Our first stop was a local fish market- lots of colourful little fishing boatd in little harbour.there were military checkposts everywhere,including here,and the army man said to not take photos.the tamils certainly are reminded all the time that they lost and the others won.
Next stop was KEERIMALI SPRING and temples,on the ocean edge.there are 2 bathing pools,one open ,for men,and one enclosed for women. Next to the temple were lots of severely damaged buildings.
We saw lots of hindu temples in jaffna being repaired.
Our trip then went along the north coast.lots of sandy beaches,with topaz blue seas,very colourful fishing boats,and no other tourists all day!
After lunch we left Jaffna and headed back south.Lots of driving to see Jaffna,but very worthwhile

JAFFNA FORT ,27march2013, SRI LANKA

Back in jaffna we went to see the old dutch fort.this was well worth seeing.it was originally built in 1618.it has massive walls,the sea on on side,canals on the others.it was in good condition till the recent war.now it is being repaired for tourism.at this stage the walls and main building and canals are looking good,but some on the inside some massively damaged buildings,and lots of content cattle grazing on the lawns.

JAFFNA, SRI LANKA 27march2013

Today we went to NAINATAVIU ISLAND.We got a tuk tuk from our guest house,to bus station in central Jaffna.we crossed several causeways and low islands.Lots of empty ruined buildings from war.at ferry terminal we had to show our passports.the islands are heavily controlled by the navy.we were packed into a small wooden ferry,with tamils going to temple,the women in very colourful saris.
SRI NAGA PUSHANI AMMAN TEMPLE was very colourful inside and out,with a loud and vibrant religious ceremony occurring.
As we strolled around the grounds of temple we were attracted to live music and came across a wedding,to which we were made most welcome,with drinks and snacks,while wedding ceremony in full swing.lots of colour and music
The Tamils are actively recovering from the war

ANURADHAPURA 26 March,2013.SRI LANKA

ANURADHAPURA q was fantastic.then again I love temples,cathedrals and history.The crew are less keen.So we did the quick tour with an excellent guide.this place was the capitol 2000 years ago ,for an empire that lasted longer than rome did.still a very active place for Buddhism.