Wow! Hard to believe my birthday was a week ago. This is a view from my balcony at 7:00 am this morning.
Yes, that little white dot is the sun. And yes, it is still dusty. The kind that just hangs in the air. (Think of it as fog with texture.) Not pleasant at all and yet Zack had a baseball game at 9 am this morning. Baseball isn't cancelled for anything.
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Last Friday, this was the view from our lunch balcony in Sri Lanka.
Now that's more like it! A view overlooking the city of Kandy.
You can just make out the big white buddha that sits atop a mountain.
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And since Kuwait is a dry country (in more ways than one), I thoroughly enjoyed my Sri Lankan beer on a hot day.
After lunch was our visit to the gemstone factory. Unfortunately, I didn't take any pictures there. We saw a 10 minute video that explained how gemstone mining is done in Sri Lanka which was quite interesting and informative. We were then able to view samples of stones in their natural state and how they appear after they've been cut and polished. Finally, upstairs to where the jewelry was located. The trip itself was my birthday present, but since we just happened to be in the presence of gems, Sam decided I should pick something out for myself. Although my birthstone is amethyst, I didn't like the settings, so this is what I wound up getting.
Garnet -- more my style and color (and happens to be Sam's birthstone).
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From the wood factory we visited earlier that day, we purchased this fisherman who is made from ebony and teak.
And these bowls and plates are made from the trunk of a pineapple tree.
Our evening ended with a cultural dance that was quite colorful and exciting!
A little hard to take pictures as they were moving and dancing so fast.
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It was certainly a full day and a definitely a most wonderful birthday to remember!
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One last thing before I go, please take a moment to visit Deborah at Art & Soul by Deborah. She has a lovely blog and paints the most amazing watercolors and right now is having her first giveaway of beautiful art pendants that she makes from her watercolor images. You have until noon tomorrow to put your name in the hat, so please head on over and tell her I sent you. Thanks so much and have a most blessed and dust free day. :) Tammy
22 comments:
Your trip looks just amazing. I am on your blog for the first time this week, and sincerely loved seeing your pictures and hearing stories from Sri Lanka. I LOVE the new look of the blog, especially the picture of you in the native dress. You look so wonderful in turquoise.
Your travels sound just perfect. What a wonderful, memorable way to spend the birthday. The jewelry looks beautiful. I wish you could have gotten pictures of the factory and how it was all made.
Hope baseball was not a disaster with the sand in the air. BOO!!
Love ya,
Renee
Hi Tammy,
I normally never have the volume on my speakers turned on, but today I did as I was watching some videos, and when I arrived here at your blog, I enjoyed your beautiful music in the background. :) Also - your new header and background are nice!
I love the items you brought back from your trip! The jewelry is gorgeous! Wow - Kuwait is a dry country? I wouldn't survive, as I really enjoy my wine, lol.
Thanks for the link, I'll check that out.
Hope you have a wonderfully-blessed weekend and that the dust leaves! :)
Linda
Tammy.... Your trip is just amazing! To see such beautiful country side is a rare chance for many.
I can't imagine those dust storms. At least with snow when it touches you it melts.
Questions....Do people have breathing problems as a result of these storms?? Are these storms seasonal or do they occur year round??
Just wonderin'....
Love,
Marilyn
xxoo
What a sky difference between the two countries! :-o I have never seen a sand storm in my life, so I find myself staring at that first picture like a nut.
Lovely, LOVELY birthday jewelry!! What a great gift! Sri Lanka was, without a doubt, a great experience. Even for us readers! :-) so thanks for sharing.
Have a lovely day!!
Thank you, From my Art and Soul for sharing my Give Away!!! Your jewelry is lovely!!! I'll be in AZ for my b-day and I am counting the days! Meeting my new neice, Erika JO. Many Blessing, Deborah...and TKS
More greaat pictures from your trip .You are one lucky girl. I can't think breating in all that good is for you. hugs to you all
Yes.. you are a lucky girl. You get to go to so many interesting places in the world. the most interesting being Gwenny's house. Ha ha! not! Seriously .. you are blessed. Love the garnet ring. Looks like your birthday day was full of fun. Love your new header and your smile. love ya! Gwen
Looks like you had a wonderful Birthday...thank you for sharing all these lovely images..it is so nice to see other parts of the world. I will go visit your friend...have a great weekend..hope the sky clears up for you. xoxox
I love your new banner! Your birthday was so special. Thank you for sharing your special day with us. I love garnets and think you made a very nice choice. Have a nice weekend! Twyla
Very nice post, Tammy. Loved all the photos. The pineapple trunk bowls are just lovely and your jewelry is quite beautiful. Hope that dust dispels soon. Take care and have an awesome day. Sincerely, Susan from writingstraightfromtheheart.blogspot.com
Tammy, loving the tour you are giving. What beautiful pictures and so happy that you so enjoyed yourself ... such a sweet girl, you deserve this.
Have a wonderful day full of all good things. Bless you. hugs, gloria
HI TAMMY, THE PICTURES OF YOUR TRIP ARE GORGEOUS. WHAT AN INTERESTING LIFE YOU HAVE TO BE ABLE TO TRAVEL TO SO MANY DIFFERNT PLACES. THE RING IS BEAUTIFUL. YOU ALWAYS LOOK GREAT IN WHATEVER YOU ARE WEARING. THANKS FOR THE COMMENT ON RAY'S & MY PICTURE GWEN TOOK AT THE CONDO LAST WEEK.
LOVE KAY
Hello, Tammy,
I am so glad you celebrated your birthday in such a special way there in Sri Lanka. The beer looks delicious! I am more of a Margarita girl, but my sister and niece love a good cold beer. Your jewelry is beautiful. Garnet is my birthstone, and I have always loved it. Have a fun filled weekend! Sending love your way! Vicki
Wow girl...I am so loving my trip to Sri Lanka with you!!!!
You picked up some fabulous things to remind you of this special birthday trip!!! I love them!!!
Hope the dust clears for you soon~
Tammy, I love the new look! Thanks for more pictures of your trip. I'll bet you had a fabulous time, and such a contrast to the dry dusty climate must have been wonderful. Have a lovely weekend!
Sherry
Tammy so fun to travel with you...I love to travel and see new things...that dust I could not handle....may I ask a question..where are you from orignally...and how did you come to live in Kuwait?
Oh I love your blue dress and the jewelry you choose. That sounds like a wonderful outing. Gosh what I wouldn't give to journey to a place like Sri Lanka. I know a couple of women from there who are Sisters of Charity. Blessings
QMM
What a beautiful day you appeared to have had. Good for you. I didn't realize your whole family was over there, now I know.
Great baubles, too.
Belated Happy Birthday,
Jo
Tammy, It seems your dust is like our snow. It never seems to go away! Lovely things you came home with on your trip. Your home is so very interesting, and I enjoy visiting here very much. Have a lovely weekend! Elizabeth
Tammy your birthdat trip looks like a dream to me. SO many interesting and beautiful things to remember.
That is some seriously gritty air. I can't believe they still can play sports in it. Ouchy.
Hugs
Tammy, glad your day was filled with such wonder and entertainment. Your pics are awesome to a girl in the Midwest, USA.
T,
I tried to comment a couple of days ago on the first Sri Lanka post, blogger was not cooperating. Anyway, back to this. I love the new header, whenever you change it I can see just looking at that what's up in your part of the world. You vacation posts have been marvelous. I just love reading your blog because it's part blog, part travel journal. Someday maybe you'll put it all together in a book like Molly of Orangette did. Sometimes your life is so American you could be living next door. Then other posts your in an amazing place like Sri Lanke & sharing with me here in Texas. Be well, T & have a great adventurous weekend. Lisa
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