7th February 2012

We loaded up the van with the presents from the family along with all our belongings, as we would not be coming back to Kandy. It was hard to say goodbye to them, as they have really taken us into the bosom of their family. Even Sujith came very early, on his way to work, to add to the tearful embraces before we pulled away eventually.


With bags of children's clothes and old spectacle frames, we waited for the Director and founder at the Haragama Crisis Centre that Ashika had visited in 2010 and had been moved by the plight of the residents there. Pearl Stephens, when she arrived, turned out to be a charismatic, bubbly Sri Lankan lady who inspired us by her story of how she had started the centre for victims of sexual abuse and violence.


The mainly adolescent girls, single mothers and pregnant women and infants are given a safe haven in which to recover, receive counselling and training and learn skills such as weaving and sewing. The money made from selling the things they make is put into a bank account which they are taught to manage, and used to help them gain independence.


Next nostalgic stop was Nature Walk, the Guest House that Savi had stayed in when she came on her own to do meditation and yoga two years ago.


The owner and his wife, and a couple of the staff welcomed us back: exchanging news, remembering also how all Jason and Ashika's wedding guests had descended on the place, culminating in a banquet on the lawn, under the stars.


The terrain changes to step farming and steep mountains and deep lush valleys with gushing waterfalls.








A visit to this area is not complete without a visit to a tea factory, with a tour of the refining processes, a complimentary cuppa and of a purchase of freshly packed bags of loose tea. We were told that the tea in tea-bags is the "tea dust" from stalks and leftover bits! Checked in at our hotel in Nuwarella, which is 6185 ft above sea level, then wandered down into the town admiring the lovely flowers, like the passion flower below, tumbling riotously over anywhere it can get hold.





Tied on to posts and railings were these limes and chilli offerings to the Gods, to ward off evil spirits.


Indira, if you come to Sri Lanka, you will be able to get a special deal at your favourite motel chain! It started to drizzle, and we contemplated getting a rickshaws back, but the boys were so enjoying their stroll, that they urged us to keep going. The real reason was they were on the search for the golf club house to check that the information that it was a members only club was wrong, so they could have a game in the morning. Ashika and Savi dried their tears, and promised them that they could have an extra glass of Arrak, as we admitted defeat, and all piled into one rickshaw, on top of each other with much laughter! Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Nuwarella