Day sixteen in Sri Lanka. The journey home.

We are back! We spent the evening of New Years Eve in a Thai restaurant with the family of my wife’s cousin.  And after packing, it was off to the airport where we got to celebrate New Year’s Eve by being in a queue!  But once through the gates, my wife and I were able to have a glass of champagne.  Over this time my son fell asleep and when it came to the time to the time to get to the plane, moving him reminded me of moving a sleeping cat.  At least he did not scratch!

On the plane from Colombo to Dubai, I watched Thor as well as catching up on sleep.  I have wanted to watch it for a while but have missed out on chances in the past.  I was not impressed at first, but the film did improve and was very enjoyable over all and told the back story of Thor and Loki quite well.

Dubai was a lot more relaxed compared to before,  we rested, the kids ate and I drank (soft drinks).

On the way back to the UK, I watched two more films as well as sleeping at times.  We flew on the Airbus A380 which I have always wanted to fly on.  Auggie was a slow but great film.  Similar in some ways to The Circle it was a disturbingly good film.  The other film was The Dead Don’t Die.  And I actually liked it.  In the limited time available it allowed the viewer to click with characters, hoping some would die and some live.

Anyway, we are at home.  Everyone else is asleep and I am watching Dr Who.  I not going to be able to stay awake to listen to the Arsenal match.  But while it is unlikely, I do hope we win.  While we have not a proven defensive mastermind as a manager, I hope Arteta is going to be able to sort out our defence.  As great a manager that Wenger was, he had a habit of ruining defenders such as the then German international Mustafi.  Now we have sideshow Bob in defence.  I can only cross my fingers and hope...

Day fifteen in Sri Lanka. Shopping.

Today is our last full day in Sri Lanka.

So, it was time for some last minute shopping in Colombo and packing.  As usual I had let my family pack at home, which meant that I was able to maximise space today.

My son loved a Japanese shop that we visited and got a neck cushion for the trip home.  In addition to his we went out to a great ice cream place in Colombo.

Anyway, it is time to stop as I have to continue to pack, and we are to go out one last time to a restaurant.  We are to return, but I do not know when this will be.

Day fourteen in Sri Lanka. Another day in paradise.

We are back in Colombo.  I am making this post before the end of today as we are to attend an engagement party later tonight.

We left our hotel, but again some drama had to take place.  We were meant to get a large taxi to take us as we have a bit of luggage.  I can condense it so that it is not as bulky, but my wife told me this would not be needed.

But the receptionist who this has been discussed with yesterday did not tell the whole truth.  Yes large taxi’s are available but they either have to be booked, or taken up in the early morning as otherwise, they leave on excursions.  Which is what happened.  We were lucky enough to get a taxi that was able to fit in the cases, but we had to carry items on our laps and with three in the back, it was a tight fit.  And our taxi driver did not know where we were to go, so we had to direct him.

We got back in time for a trip to a temple.  Two years ago, we obtained blessings for my son for the eleven plus.  While he did not pass, I hope that the path he is to follow is a good one and that he can become the person he is meant to be.  And we returned there to give thanks.

But we are now back at Hotel Janaki.  My wife at this moment is getting her hair done and as my son who has no clean trousers, his grandmother has taken him out shopping for some.

Day thirteen in Sri Lanka. Lucky for some.

The good news is that my wife is feeling better with her back.  The bad news is that my son is unwell with what looks like a viral sore throat.

Her cousin has left and we have had to change rooms.  There was a slight issue in that we have two children and only bed space for one.  A ‘discussion’ ensued and we now have the right number of beds.

Tonight is our last night here and once we could, we spent the time in the pool, or in the case of my daughter and I, in the sea.

Day twelve in Sri Lanka. Back pain.

Today started off well.

Before breakfast, I had a quick swim in the pool outside our room and afterwards we all got together around the pool.  My wife enjoyed swimming in the pool and my two children enjoyed looking after their little cousins.

After lunch, we went to the local town to get a few things, and my son got a Vans backpack.  Afterwards we played pool (I won through luck) and my son appeared to enjoy it.  Later, my daughter and I went to the beach and had fun in the sea.

Sadly though, my wife has had an attack of back pain which we hope will improve tomorrow.

Day eleven in Sri Lanka. On the road.

We are now in Bentota.  It was a bit of a journey to get here from Kandy, the trip taking us through traffic jam after traffic jam.  One thing is apparent, which is that the driving here has got worse compared to two years ago.  Back then, my wife and I would have been happy to drive as we were surprised then to see how everyone obeyed the traffic laws.  Now they appear to be more advisory again.  And neither of us would be happy to drive here now.

I am hoping to relax by the pool and go for walks along the beach over the next few days.

Day ten in Sri Lanka. Shopping.

Today was not just about shopping.  After breakfast with the family of my wife’s cousin, we met up in the hotel playground.  My son was eager to play and look after their two sons.  While my daughter wanted to swim, she also helped to play and look after them.

Their mother went for a walk while her husband and I talked while making sure my kids looked after his properly.  We talked about a range of issues, including our children and of course, I got the chance to say how amazing both mine are.  My son loves being an older brother to the two younger boys and my daughter enjoyed mocking after and playing with them.

Later we went into Kandy to eat in the food court and then some of us had a go on the virtual reality machines.  My kids loved the one they went on and later, after eating some ice cream, I went on the other.  And it was terrifying.  When it comes to rides, the thing that scares me most is the g-force as you accelerate to the ground.  And this machine terrified me.  My daughter had a laugh watching me on it as well as apparently, I screamed.  Which I am sure that I did not do.  Afterwards it was a shop for some clothes and then later we split up.

My daughter wanted to swim in the pool, but her chest has been an issue as she has a cold.  While the air was warm when we got back, it was not hot enough for her to swim while I’ll, so instead I packed for the next leg of our journey.  My wife and son continued to shop and had both good and bad experiences doing so.