Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Colombo and Poya Day

Since hubby started a printing press in Colombo with a Sri Lankan business partner & friend over a year ago, it has become a frequent destination for us.  Colombo is the largest city in Sri Lanka with the busiest port in South Asia; a port that was known to ancient traders some 2000 years ago due to its strategic location along the East-West sea trade route.
Curries and rice are a staple of the Sri Lankan diet, so Indian and Chinese cuisine are quite popular.  The old colonial home above houses a Chinese restaurant we have eaten at before.  For lunch on the second day, my friend, Rizwana, took me to The Mango Tree for Indian food; aptly named because it actually sits directly under a mango tree.
Dinners are usually large family gatherings.  While walking to our friends' home, we encountered this Buddhist procession marking the full moon day, known as Poya Day, which is a national holiday each and every month in Sri Lanka.  In July it is known as Esala Full Moon Day.  Buddhists believe that many significant events in the life of Buddha took place on full moon days, thus the desire to celebrate.
Walking
and the trishaw (a/k/a tuk tuk) are the easiest modes of transportation while in the city.
This backyard garden at the home of our friend's brother is where the kids played a friendly game of soccer after dinner one night.  In this family of 7 brothers and sisters, there are 18 children, so when I say large family gatherings, we are talking at least 30 people (or more).
We always feel welcomed and well taken care of during our visits.

Next up was our first trip to an ecofriendly resort in Kandalama.
For now, it's back to laundry and cleaning.
Have a terrific Tuesday!

31 comments:

Caterina Giglio said...

oh I do love traveling with you, it is so wonderful to see your very different life than here in MI and it is nice because you know what I mean! And at the same time, backyard soccer and family dinners are the same everywhere... just wonderful! xo

Catherine said...

Gosh ~ you really have such an exciting life. Thank you for always sharing your adventures with us!
xo C

Janettessage.blogspot.com said...

How interesting..thanks for sharing, I love seeing the world. My son will be helping with a business in Cambodia, the world really is becoming smaller.

Anonymous said...

Loved reading this post! Thank you so much for sharing, I have been to Sri Lanka but only on an overnight stay on my way home from the Maldives.

val said...

wow! What a neat place...have a great week!

crafty cat corner said...

Thanks Tammy for a reallyl interesting post.Briony
x

Anonymous said...

How lucky you are to have friends in such exotic places! And that was one big soccer game...I can't imagine that many children!!!

AND an extra bonus seeing the Buddhist parade....how special.

Looking forward to the next set of photos of a place I'll never get to see. You are my 'tour guide'.

Now, go finish your laundry!

Jan

Tammy's in Love said...

When you say soccer team they actually have a FULL time and a bench to play! What a great story!

T2

Yesteryear Embroideries said...

Loved reading your posts on the country and it's customs. I think it's wonderful for people to have large families.........Have a great week.

Bettyann said...

I feel like I am travelling with you on your adventures. Laundry here too. Beautiful place.

Mariette VandenMunckhof-Vedder said...

Dearest Tammy,

That business partner created a lovely connection for the entire family to go to. Enjoy your memories of all the great visits and trips.
Love to you,
Mariette

Mrs. Micawber said...

I love the idea of a monthly holiday.

Such fun to see your photos and hear about life on the other side of the planet!

Helen Philipps said...

Such a fascinating post, Tammy! You describe your trip and the places so well I am getting a real feel for the colourful life over there.
You will have so many precious memories of these lovely times too.
Helen x

Unknown said...

Hi Tammy, looks like your are using your summertime to good avail. Great trip we went along on. I know a few folks from Sri Lanka due to my association with the Sister of Charity. There are several sisters from there in our Eastern Province. Your photo of the Mango Tree restaurant remind me of The Kopak Tree Restaurant in Clearwater Beach Florida. Blessings
QMM

Kathleen said...

I love to see the different places you travel to, they are so very different from our holiday destinations.

Please don't listen to your husband. Carry on watching the Food Network! Your baking posts especially always get my full attention.

nanny said...

I love your trips to places I am sure I will never visit!!

oldthings said...

Dear Tammy
It's great to have the opportunity to travel with your husband in other countries. You meet people, make new friends and know other cultures! Washing and cleaning will become easier if you remember those beautiful moments you had in your journey!
Olympia

Pam said...

Your blog is just like a travelog. You visit such interesting places. Wonderful that you have friends to visit in these exotic locations. Enjoy your visit.

Diane said...

Thanks for the information on this city and country. I'm sure your boys were happy to have such a bunch of other kids to play with there. Diane

Susan said...

Wow, Tammy, what a great experience for your boys and for you, too! Thanks for your visits and comments to my blog. Love having you stop by. Susan

Serena Lewis said...

I love hearing about your trips, Tammy, and the pics are always great too. YUM on the curry and rice...a steadfast favourite of mine. How lovely that the family always makes you feel so welcome.

~ Serena xo

Sheila Rumney said...

What wonderful trips to beautiful places. THanks for taking us along! Have a great time!

vintage grey said...

Looks like a beautiful place with yummy food!! That is a large family gathering!! ;) xo Heather

Pradeepa said...

I have heard that Sri Lanka is a beautiful place to visit. It's wonderful to be able to visit plenty of places, meet new people and of course try out new cuisines.

Julia @ Vintage with Laces said...

Hi Tammy, Thank you for sharing your trip to Sri Lanka with us. The scenery is so beautiful. I'm looking forward to seeing more pictures. You get me hungry with talking about Indian food. I just love it. Unfortunately the only Indian restaurant closed because it wasn't very popular here. We cook Asian dishes from time to time but it's not so easy to achieve the original taste. Besides hubby doesn't like cilantro and lemon grass, sigh.
Have a great day :-)!
Hugs,
Julia

Peli said...

your photos are so beautiful...i feel like you took as with you on that trip!!!

Anonymous said...

What a exotic and interesting trip. I imagine the buddist walk was cool to see. I still have grandkids, they are keeping me very busy. ta for now.
Gwen :)

Dagmar said...

It would of been so great if I had known you while we were traveling in Sri Lanka..love, love your photos and brought back so many memories...lovely people.❤

Unknown said...

what a wonderful, exotic, colorful place - and how nice to have friends there when you visit!

Linda said...

I enjoy seeing your wonderful photos and reading about your journey. I've never been to any place like this. My first thought is that Jim wouldn't survive there as he does not like either of those sorts of foods (Indian or Chinese). ;)

Looking forward to following more of your travels.
Best wishes,
Linda

Sam I Am...... said...

Thank you for sharing your trips. I love the beauty of the colorful costumes in the parade and the elephant..I love elephants. What great sights and mango trees and foods. It's all so different and fun to see how others live and play. What a pretty back yard they had too. It's so nice and green while here it is so dry and brown! LOL!
Enjoy!

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