Where Did the Time Go?

I cannot believe we have been here for five days - we're leaving Sri Lanka tomorrow for the Maldives and I have very few photos to show for our beach visit. We've had a wonderful time, mind you, it's just that I didn't bring the camera out very often.

Mirissa and Weligama are two adjacent beaches on the south coast of Sri Lanka. Just swaying palm trees and long sandy beaches - perfect for lazing the days away.

These beaches actually have very good beginner surfing waves, so why not? Our gang is always up for a challenge. We didn't opt for lessons, but just hoped that our natural athletic abilities and keen sense of balance would be enough.

Seemed to work for Annie.

Didn't take long for Owen to get the hang of it either.

And Shirley was a natural, too. 

Me, on the other hand....not so good. Shirley said that it wasn't that I couldn't get up, but I just had problems staying up. Hmmm.

And when we haven't been swimming or surfing, then it's boogie boarding.

Shouldn't you be in school? These kids are having way too much fun.

We managed one day trip during our beach visit (but it was good) - we checked out the old fort in Galle. This is yet another of Sri Lanka's UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and a lovely old colonial fort packed with pleasant tree lined streets and art galleries.

It's about 400 years old and the walls are still strong - in fact, during the terrible tsunami in 2004, there were many fatalities in the newer areas of Galle outside of the fort, but the inside of the fort remained unscathed.

Whoa - flashback!

It's fun to stay at the Y - M - B - A ....

Horny Toads. 

We have been staying in a lovely little guesthouse away from the beach, but we have been woken several times during the night by extremely loud sounds of nature - turns out it's mating season. 

This is apparently Sri Lanka's only privately-owned island. Very expensive to stay here, as the cost includes a private staff of five to cater to your every need.

Time to stroll down the beach in search of dinner.

Sri Lanka has been very good to us, but it's time to bid farewell and begin our next adventure in the Maldives. Again, I'm not sure about internet on our Maldivian island adventure, so who knows when you'll hear from us?