Possibly I am dreaming of that land of Mother Lanka?! Website design By BotEap.comOh yes I do! Here are some of my most missed treats, simple as some of them may be! Website design By BotEap.com1. Coconut Trees: The array of lush green coconut trees that wrap around you at the plane landing never fails to give me that warm tingle of a good hug! Closely related to me then would be ‘Thambili’ (the deliciously sweet water from a king coconut) which is one of the best thirst quenchers my tongue has ever known! Website design By BotEap.com2. ‘Short-eats’: The unique and delicious pastries/snacks, popularly known as ‘short-eats’, are found in every nook and corner of a street. They really are a delight to your senses! Among many of my favorites are the ones at the Fab and Green Cabin shops, not to mention their pies and cream puffs! (Now I’m a big fan of Swiss deli, but if I had to choose, I know where my hands would go!) Website design By BotEap.com3. Rice and Curry – Authentic Sri Lankan comfort food made by loved ones with a little extra care (and lime juice!) never disappoints my taste buds. In the simplest form, it would be rice, dhal, and coconut sambal (a concoction of grated fresh coconut, made from orange with onions and spices). Also ‘Lamprais’ (a Dutch origin rice packet wrapped and baked in banana leaves) with its own unique flavors has been a winner in Colombo for as long as I can remember. Website design By BotEap.com4. The sea and the beach: One of the crowning glories of the island, of course, is the sea you bathe in and it’s amazing how much you miss the sea breeze and salty air when you’re not around. Unfortunately, however, to have good beaches, one has to find the places that are closest to the variety of hotels or restaurants, where they are well-maintained or out-of-the-way places that many don’t know about. And once you do, it’s a keeper for a great walk, swim, or enjoy all that fresh seafood. Website design By BotEap.com5. Luscious Green: Inland from the beach are lush green highlands as far as the eye can see with all sorts of exotic flora and fauna. The striking contrast in the surroundings as I move away from the outskirts immediately soothes my soul and pacifies my eyes. The cool springs, waterfalls and rivers cascading through all this greenery and heat are mystifying in most cases! Website design By BotEap.com6. Value for Money – Amongst this natural beauty are five-star hotels that line up to provide you with service at a cost that is unparalleled anywhere else. It’s certainly no surprise that Lonely Planet ranked the island at the top of their acclaimed ‘Best in Travel 2013’ list, naming it one of the best value destinations on the planet! And the icing on the cake, of course, are the cleverly designed pools, spas, lobbies and clubs of the hotels, with breathtaking views of the exquisite lands that surround them, be it the city, the sea or the hills. Website design By BotEap.com7. People: I find myself in throngs of carefree people with such wide smiles and such big, accessible hearts almost at all times; lucky people blessed with all that this ‘shining land’/’Sri Lanka’ has to offer. A people nurtured by an abundance of natural resources and armed with a rich culture and heritage; people awarded with one of the highest literacy rates in Asia and heirs of a multitude of ethnicities and religions. On the other hand, people who have lived through decades of war, torture and political strife but take life easy, always having that glimmer of hope. In the hustle and bustle, I am reunited with my nearest and dearest. Sometimes it seems as if a year’s worth is wrapped up in the blink of an eye! I can kick back, relax, and miss them even before the usual goodbyes and cults to the elderly begin. Farewells, that’s until the next visit my mind is already planning! Website design By BotEap.comAnd yes, I live in ‘heaven’ and have traveled the world (or most of it) and will continue to explore the rest, but one fact remains. Sri Lanka has a charm that does not fade. Simply put, it is a nation that is an amalgamation of all facets of natural landscape, cultural richness, and ethnic diversity. And I truly hope for everyone’s sake, including our son’s, that the earth is rid of its current political plagues, that it stays true to its path by accepting all of its children as one; and will always be a sweet home away from home for those of us forever ‘linked to Sri Lanka’ living in foreign lands. Alas, also for those of us who live on the seashores of the earth – to know, treasure and protect all its value while living there and not from the other side of the fence!
sri lankan bound
Website design By BotEap.comFor more than half of my life I have lived far from Sri Lanka, my native country, the origin of my identity and the beginning of my being. I have been away, tasting and devouring the world, breathing the freshness of foreign lands and adopting different customs and cultures. Still, this tiny country of mine has always had a strong hold on me, a magnanimous magnet that has always drawn me in some way. And of course this should be the case. It is my birthplace. However, I’ve always wondered if it’s just that the grass is greener on the other side; or a case of absence that makes love grow.
Website design By BotEap.comI am now in Switzerland, ranked best for its high quality of life and some refer to it as heaven on earth! One can easily imagine this when you think of some of the Swiss specialties and know-how… the masterminds of watches, the best of transportation, elitist education, the caliber of chocolatiers, renowned cheese and wine makers. All of this is also wrapped in the enchanting beauty of mountains, lakes, and clean, fresh air! Having lived here for over three years, I can personally attest to this excellence and efficiency in almost everything! Heavenly indeed! And here, could
Possibly I am dreaming of that land of Mother Lanka?! Website design By BotEap.comOh yes I do! Here are some of my most missed treats, simple as some of them may be! Website design By BotEap.com1. Coconut Trees: The array of lush green coconut trees that wrap around you at the plane landing never fails to give me that warm tingle of a good hug! Closely related to me then would be ‘Thambili’ (the deliciously sweet water from a king coconut) which is one of the best thirst quenchers my tongue has ever known! Website design By BotEap.com2. ‘Short-eats’: The unique and delicious pastries/snacks, popularly known as ‘short-eats’, are found in every nook and corner of a street. They really are a delight to your senses! Among many of my favorites are the ones at the Fab and Green Cabin shops, not to mention their pies and cream puffs! (Now I’m a big fan of Swiss deli, but if I had to choose, I know where my hands would go!) Website design By BotEap.com3. Rice and Curry – Authentic Sri Lankan comfort food made by loved ones with a little extra care (and lime juice!) never disappoints my taste buds. In the simplest form, it would be rice, dhal, and coconut sambal (a concoction of grated fresh coconut, made from orange with onions and spices). Also ‘Lamprais’ (a Dutch origin rice packet wrapped and baked in banana leaves) with its own unique flavors has been a winner in Colombo for as long as I can remember. Website design By BotEap.com4. The sea and the beach: One of the crowning glories of the island, of course, is the sea you bathe in and it’s amazing how much you miss the sea breeze and salty air when you’re not around. Unfortunately, however, to have good beaches, one has to find the places that are closest to the variety of hotels or restaurants, where they are well-maintained or out-of-the-way places that many don’t know about. And once you do, it’s a keeper for a great walk, swim, or enjoy all that fresh seafood. Website design By BotEap.com5. Luscious Green: Inland from the beach are lush green highlands as far as the eye can see with all sorts of exotic flora and fauna. The striking contrast in the surroundings as I move away from the outskirts immediately soothes my soul and pacifies my eyes. The cool springs, waterfalls and rivers cascading through all this greenery and heat are mystifying in most cases! Website design By BotEap.com6. Value for Money – Amongst this natural beauty are five-star hotels that line up to provide you with service at a cost that is unparalleled anywhere else. It’s certainly no surprise that Lonely Planet ranked the island at the top of their acclaimed ‘Best in Travel 2013’ list, naming it one of the best value destinations on the planet! And the icing on the cake, of course, are the cleverly designed pools, spas, lobbies and clubs of the hotels, with breathtaking views of the exquisite lands that surround them, be it the city, the sea or the hills. Website design By BotEap.com7. People: I find myself in throngs of carefree people with such wide smiles and such big, accessible hearts almost at all times; lucky people blessed with all that this ‘shining land’/’Sri Lanka’ has to offer. A people nurtured by an abundance of natural resources and armed with a rich culture and heritage; people awarded with one of the highest literacy rates in Asia and heirs of a multitude of ethnicities and religions. On the other hand, people who have lived through decades of war, torture and political strife but take life easy, always having that glimmer of hope. In the hustle and bustle, I am reunited with my nearest and dearest. Sometimes it seems as if a year’s worth is wrapped up in the blink of an eye! I can kick back, relax, and miss them even before the usual goodbyes and cults to the elderly begin. Farewells, that’s until the next visit my mind is already planning! Website design By BotEap.comAnd yes, I live in ‘heaven’ and have traveled the world (or most of it) and will continue to explore the rest, but one fact remains. Sri Lanka has a charm that does not fade. Simply put, it is a nation that is an amalgamation of all facets of natural landscape, cultural richness, and ethnic diversity. And I truly hope for everyone’s sake, including our son’s, that the earth is rid of its current political plagues, that it stays true to its path by accepting all of its children as one; and will always be a sweet home away from home for those of us forever ‘linked to Sri Lanka’ living in foreign lands. Alas, also for those of us who live on the seashores of the earth – to know, treasure and protect all its value while living there and not from the other side of the fence!
Possibly I am dreaming of that land of Mother Lanka?! Website design By BotEap.comOh yes I do! Here are some of my most missed treats, simple as some of them may be! Website design By BotEap.com1. Coconut Trees: The array of lush green coconut trees that wrap around you at the plane landing never fails to give me that warm tingle of a good hug! Closely related to me then would be ‘Thambili’ (the deliciously sweet water from a king coconut) which is one of the best thirst quenchers my tongue has ever known! Website design By BotEap.com2. ‘Short-eats’: The unique and delicious pastries/snacks, popularly known as ‘short-eats’, are found in every nook and corner of a street. They really are a delight to your senses! Among many of my favorites are the ones at the Fab and Green Cabin shops, not to mention their pies and cream puffs! (Now I’m a big fan of Swiss deli, but if I had to choose, I know where my hands would go!) Website design By BotEap.com3. Rice and Curry – Authentic Sri Lankan comfort food made by loved ones with a little extra care (and lime juice!) never disappoints my taste buds. In the simplest form, it would be rice, dhal, and coconut sambal (a concoction of grated fresh coconut, made from orange with onions and spices). Also ‘Lamprais’ (a Dutch origin rice packet wrapped and baked in banana leaves) with its own unique flavors has been a winner in Colombo for as long as I can remember. Website design By BotEap.com4. The sea and the beach: One of the crowning glories of the island, of course, is the sea you bathe in and it’s amazing how much you miss the sea breeze and salty air when you’re not around. Unfortunately, however, to have good beaches, one has to find the places that are closest to the variety of hotels or restaurants, where they are well-maintained or out-of-the-way places that many don’t know about. And once you do, it’s a keeper for a great walk, swim, or enjoy all that fresh seafood. Website design By BotEap.com5. Luscious Green: Inland from the beach are lush green highlands as far as the eye can see with all sorts of exotic flora and fauna. The striking contrast in the surroundings as I move away from the outskirts immediately soothes my soul and pacifies my eyes. The cool springs, waterfalls and rivers cascading through all this greenery and heat are mystifying in most cases! Website design By BotEap.com6. Value for Money – Amongst this natural beauty are five-star hotels that line up to provide you with service at a cost that is unparalleled anywhere else. It’s certainly no surprise that Lonely Planet ranked the island at the top of their acclaimed ‘Best in Travel 2013’ list, naming it one of the best value destinations on the planet! And the icing on the cake, of course, are the cleverly designed pools, spas, lobbies and clubs of the hotels, with breathtaking views of the exquisite lands that surround them, be it the city, the sea or the hills. Website design By BotEap.com7. People: I find myself in throngs of carefree people with such wide smiles and such big, accessible hearts almost at all times; lucky people blessed with all that this ‘shining land’/’Sri Lanka’ has to offer. A people nurtured by an abundance of natural resources and armed with a rich culture and heritage; people awarded with one of the highest literacy rates in Asia and heirs of a multitude of ethnicities and religions. On the other hand, people who have lived through decades of war, torture and political strife but take life easy, always having that glimmer of hope. In the hustle and bustle, I am reunited with my nearest and dearest. Sometimes it seems as if a year’s worth is wrapped up in the blink of an eye! I can kick back, relax, and miss them even before the usual goodbyes and cults to the elderly begin. Farewells, that’s until the next visit my mind is already planning! Website design By BotEap.comAnd yes, I live in ‘heaven’ and have traveled the world (or most of it) and will continue to explore the rest, but one fact remains. Sri Lanka has a charm that does not fade. Simply put, it is a nation that is an amalgamation of all facets of natural landscape, cultural richness, and ethnic diversity. And I truly hope for everyone’s sake, including our son’s, that the earth is rid of its current political plagues, that it stays true to its path by accepting all of its children as one; and will always be a sweet home away from home for those of us forever ‘linked to Sri Lanka’ living in foreign lands. Alas, also for those of us who live on the seashores of the earth – to know, treasure and protect all its value while living there and not from the other side of the fence!