Danger! Heavy Load

On the way back to Colombo we overtook an elephant, which are actually faster than you'd imagine.
Our driver noticed us trying to photograph it out of the back window and slowed down to let it overtake. We then overtook again and slowed down to let the elephant overtake. After repeating this process a couple times the elephant's driver noticed and (sensing a potential cash payment) pulled over. The cash payment I offered equated to about a quid, which would have bought the driver and his mate lunch.
This is one load you hope the driver has securely tied down.

Weligama

About 15km east of Unawattuna is a little bay that is ideal for learning to surf. There is no reef and the very gentle gradient of the beach means the waves don't jack up too quickly. I've been wiped out a fair few times in Hikkaduwa recently so it was more relaxing to have a surf where the waves are on the smaller side.
I took a 3 wheeler with my dad on the first day and my sister came on the second day. While I surfed they walked on the beach and watched the fishermen. I didn't know how much they'ed enjoy it, but it turns out it gave them a chance to see the contrast between the tourist and local spots (something I don't really think about any more as I constantly switch between the two). I thought they might get a photo of me surfing but the waves I caught were so far out they lost sight of me apparently (or got bored of waiting for me to actually catch a wave).

On the way back the 3 wheeler driver stopped at about 4 other surf spots to let me check them out. Some of them were too reefy but I'm hoping to hit up one or two over the Sri Lankan New Year in April.

Unawattuna

View from the balcony at the guesthouse where my sister and I stayed. We had our own mini wild life park where we saw various birds, cows, dogs and most impressively, an iguana.
My mum and dad stayed at the Unawattuna Beach Resort next door, as they needed a few more creature comforts. My mum had taken a turn for the worse, (culminating in a 6 day stay in a Colombo hospital) so unfortunately she missed out during the middle part of the holiday. The three amigos serenading the guests took requests and in the absence of them knowing any gangster rap we got them to play some Johnny Cash. Mum only made it out of the room at the end of the two days and took a short walk to see what she'd been missing (Dad is either having a moment of enlightenment or is having an alien encounter judging by the direction he is looking in).

Hikkaduwa Henry

After acclimatising in Colombo, the first leg of my guided tour was takings us beachside. Having spent so many of my weekends in Hikkaduwa I wanted to show my family my preferred escape destination from the pressures of work. I upgraded the accommodation from my usual three quid a night quest house to somewhere slightly more salubrious.
It was actually pretty overcast while we were there but as always the seafood hit the spot and I managed to get a couple of surfs in. We went shopping to get my dad some new beach gear and stopped in to see Henry and his carvings. Unlike the Buddhas and elephants that are the usual subjects for the woodcarvers, Henry has developed a style that encompasses his interpretations of the traditional working people of Sri Lanka.
Between us we bought four carvings and two masks. I'd already got one carving so I now have a moody old guy, an inquisitive looking character and smaller happy dude to help me remember my time in Sri Lanka. Henry is a pretty cool guy and has managed to create a niche for himself; a lot of the people that rely on tourists for their income are really struggling.

Quick, Tidy up.

My folks and sister came to see me in Sri Lanka and luckily they arrived after the cleaning lady so the house didn't look too bad. After sleeping off their jet-lag on the first day we headed to Mount Lavinia Hotel on the evening of the second day to watch the sunset.

My dad and I sampled some oysters and scallops for starters. The seafood restaurant has a rowing boat full of ice in which they display the various fish, crabs, lobsters and prawns you can select for your meal. Other than the food, the other highlights of the night included a gecko landing on my mum's head and renditions of a song who's entire lyrics are made up of the repeated phrase "Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka, la, la, la, la".

Drinking Companions

As I'm a poor swimmer it took me a year of being in Sri Lanka before I started surfing and that was only because this guy Gamini convinced me I wasn't going to drown. He got me started and taught me the basics and now I rent surfboards off him. He's a bit camera shy.

My mate Archie was over for a couple of weeks working and he managed to make it down to Hikkaduwa with his friend Vicky for a couple of weekends. He on the other hand is not camera shy.

Home Coming Party

I was invited to my second Sri Lankan home coming, which is the equivalent of a wedding reception but it takes place after the newlyweds have returned from honeymoon. The event started with Kandyan dancers who backflipped across the hall as part of their dance routine.

Jo and his new new bride light the ceremonial lamp.

Jo works at the same place as me and the event was well attended by our other workmates.

This was at the end of the evening (approx 1am) after eating, drinking and dancing and I'm probably in better shape than I would have been at a comparative English wedding reception; less drinking and more dancing seems to be the Sri Lankan way.
Photo credits R.P.