Pardies Nilaveli

We can see the sunrise on the horizon from our bed. It's 6:00 a.m. and really too early to get up. So we stay lying down and doze off for a while.

After breakfast, we go snorkeling with the boat we booked yesterday and two French people. It's the first time snorkeling again, and I'm very excited, even though it used to be part of my daily routine in Australia. But that was almost seven years ago. Our guide jumps in first, and then we follow him. He swims ahead and stops here and there to show us a shell, a starfish, or a special fish. After 30 minutes, I'm back in the snorkeling flow and I'm so happy to be in the water again. For the second snorkeling session, we drive around the small island and view the reef from the other side. It's simply wonderful to admire the colorful fish and a variety of corals. It always feels like being in a different world. You dive into a peaceful atmosphere. Your head crackles, your breath gets faster, and your heart rate increases, but you still feel great. The waves are relatively shallow, sometimes you feel like touching the corals with your belly, but in reality, you're far enough away. After two hours, we head back to the shore. Short stop because our guide catches a squid and wants to show us how black the ink is. What a joker...

Back at the accommodation, it's time to take a break. Mom reads and I lie in the hammock and write. A little breeze blows around my nose. Even in the shade, it's about 30 degrees Celsius.
For lunch, we have chicken soup, sandwiches, and freshly squeezed pineapple juice. For the afternoon program, we have planned a little exploration tour to Trincomalee. We set off around 3:00 p.m., trying to take the bus to the city. On the way to the main road, a tuk-tuk comes along, and in the heat, we can't resist and take the tuk-tuk driver's services. The drive to the city center takes about 30 minutes for about 18 km. The city center is bustling. There are countless tuk-tuks, mopeds, buses, and people on the streets. We exchange money at a bank and then stroll towards Ford. A small hilly peninsula that juts into the ocean in front of the old town of Trinco. The area is under military control, and there are barracks and training grounds here. Passing through the old entrance gate from 1668, a path lined with neem trees winds up the hill, past the soldiers' accommodations, past deer, dogs, monkeys, and small animals. At the end of the hill, there is the entrance to the temple complex. Here, you leave your shoes with an attendant and continue barefoot, past souvenir stands, to the plateau of the hill. Once arrived, we are greeted by a large blue-white statue and a colorful Hindu temple. Inside, they are preparing for the 5:00 p.m. session. All incense sticks are lit, and fruits are brought into the temple. A monk rings the bell, brings flowers and incense to the small black statues at the entrance of the temple, and then returns to the interior, and the ceremony begins with loud 'Ohm' chants and Hindu songs. Fruits are offered, and everyone stands there praying and eagerly watching. An impressive moment, but I feel out of place. We quietly sneak out of the temple. We don't want to disturb the ceremony in any way. Everyone seems so captivated and touched.

The descent in the evening light is very atmospheric and peaceful. It was a good decision to take this trip in the evening light. Slowly, hunger comes up, and since we didn't order dinner at our accommodation in time today, we want to try a restaurant here in Trinco. I am still skeptical and rely entirely on Mom's experience in Southeast Asia. We enter a dark restaurant with a few plastic tables and washable tablecloths. Two corpulent women rush towards us. Mom orders 'two curry', and we are taken to the back. Here we receive a plate in plastic foil, we unwrap the foil and can put together our curry from five plastic containers. There's rice, lentil, carrot, bean, and cabbage vegetables, and of course, papadum as a snack. I'm still skeptical, it's my first time in such a restaurant outside the familiar Western world, so I mainly stuff my food in. I don't even put my bag down, I'm just too tense. Mom, on the other hand, enjoys her meal, thanks the chefs, and wants more of the delicious cabbage with coconut milk. I express my preference for papadum, and we get a whole bag put on the table. The meal costs a total of only 700rs (about €4.50), including a liter of water that we gulped down in a few minutes. Exciting, but I feel like I've finally arrived.

It's getting dark outside, and since our bus just left, we decide to take a tuk-tuk again. I try to call the driver from earlier, but can't reach him, so we take one of the many other drivers waiting at the bus station. Through the nightly hustle and bustle of Trinco, we rush north without much regard. Overtaking, honking, braking hard, everything included. Along the way, we are waved down by the police and the driver has to show his papers. Since everything seems fine, we continue. We turn back into our small side street and shake through the many potholes. It starts raining now, too, and we are happy not to have taken the bus. Tired and exhausted, I fall straight into bed. A beautiful day with many small highlights, and in the end, I'm a little proud to have done everything.