Picture Perfect Portraits: Children of the World
Picture perfect portraits tell so much about the subject. When we travel, we meet so many sweet and curious children around the world that absolutely love having their photos taken.
Seven Super Train Travels
Who Likes Train Travel? We love taking the train. There is nothing better than watching the countryside pass by as you relax in your compartment while getting to know your fellow passengers.
Adam’s Peak, A Pilgrimage for All Religions
- If there was one thing that we wanted to do when we were in Sri Lanka it was to climb Adams Peak and join pilgrims on this sacred walk. Believed to be the place where Adam first stepped foot on earth when he was cast down from heaven, Adams Peak attracts a large crowd [...]
The Human Elephant Conflict
There is a very real problem in Asia. Elephants and humans are not getting along and in Sri Lanka, it is more apparent than anywhere else. The Human Elephant Conflict is a term that defines a growing problem in Asia. Habitat is shrinking daily and humans are encroaching on the territory of elephants. At the same time, many poor farmers haven’t changed their daily lives for hundreds of years but their crops and villages are being threatened. As urbanization takes hold, the elephants have nowhere else to go and end up in fields searching for food.
Inspirational People We’ve Met in our Travels.
One of the things we love the most about travel is meeting new people. While we could compile a list of a hundred people that we have met that have become great friends and have been an inspiration, we wanted to share with you a few of the special people that have really stood out and touched our hearts during our travels around the world over the years. 1. Mary Louise in Paris, France, 2. Hussein in Udaipur, India, 3. Ajith in Hikkaduwa, Sri Lanka, 4. Abdulla Ahmed in Wadi Halfa, Sudan, 5. Kul and Mim Das Tamang in Kathmandu, Nepal
Festivals and Celebrations of the World- A Photo Story
From Thaipusam in Malaysia to the 500yr anniversary of the town of Hampi in India, we seem to have the knack of being in the right place at the right time. Below are just 5 of the crazy festivals we have been lucky enough to experience.
Around the World one Sunset at a time!
I think one of the favorite things people enjoy looking at is a beautiful sunset. Somehow as that sun sets on the horizon it seems to make you forget the days stress and gives you that sense of Ahhhh!
Wildlife of the World; A Photo Story
When people think of adventure travel they don’t really think of Wildlife photography. But being a big fan of any type of photography I like to push my limits. Photographing wildlife is a challenge as anyone can tell you. From birds in your back yard to the Big 5 in Africa they all require different skills.
Our Favourite Treks of the World; A Photo Story
Through our many travels around the globe we have had the privilege of participating in some amazing treks. From the Highest Peak in South East Asia, Mt. Kinabalu, to the grueling high altitude trek up to Mt. Everest Base camp. These are some of our favorites.
Top Things to do in Sri Lanka
We loved Sri Lanka. It was one of those countries that we actually felt sad leaving. We met inspiring people, saw magnificent sites and enjoyed awesome adventures. Many people have sent us messages and emails on how they too want to visit Sri Lanka one day soon and we thought that we should do a round up of the top things that we enjoyed doing while visiting this fascinating and beautiful country.
Top Secret in Hikkaduwa: A Review
There is a fantastic place in Hikkaduwa that we probably shouldn’t be telling you about because it is Top Secret. OK, to be fair the name of the place is Top Secret and I think that they wouldn’ t mind if we let the cat out of the bag since they are located right on Galle Road with a big sign promoting the spot. Located in Hikkaduwa close enough to all the action, but far enough away that you can relax, Top Secret is probably the best budget accommodation that we have ever stayed at.
Tsunami Five Years Later: A Photo Story
It has been over 5 years since the Tsunami devastated the coast of Sri Lanka. Over 50,000 people were killed and thousands more injured and displaced. he wounds are slowly disappearing as businesses are being rebuilt, roads are cleared and the landscape has recovered, but the scars still remain and there are still signs of the destruction that the mighty ocean left behind. Dave has captured the southern coast of Sri Lanka today in photos. Its i a reminder of the great suffering that the people faced after the event but also the resilience of the human spirit and how a nation has slowly recovered over time.
New India Visa Rules, Our Re-Entry
Welcome to part 3 of our update on the new India Tourist Visa rules. Way back in December we heard about the new rule while reading the India Times. How did we do? We had been out of India for 31 days while visiting Sri Lanka. We knew all about the visa problems and were prepared to not be allowed back into India. It was 3:00 am. Our flight was leaving Colombo in the middle of the night and we stood in line preparing to act surprised and confused once we were told about the changes.
Saving Sea Turtles One Egg at a Time
The sea turtle is in grave danger in this world. Fishing nets are scooping them up out of our oceans. Limbs are cut off by the nylon mesh, they suffocate and they are hit by boat propellers. Humans have had an enormous impact on the endangerment of the Sea Turtle. At the Kosgoda Turtle Hatchery, Chandrasiri Abrew is working to make a difference. We came across the Kosgoda Turtle Hatcher by chance. After walking along the deserted beach while the sun slowly set, we ran into a man walking and yelled to him, “Turtles?”
Tuk Tuk Driver Makes a Difference
Have you ever met an honest Tuk Tuk Driver? We did, and we never let him go. His name is Ajith and we lucked out on our first day back to Hikkaduwa. What is so special about this meeting? We have since gone to two charities with Ajith, had dinner at his house and watched him donate shoes to a school from money that he has raised with his friends from Italy. We talk to him everyday on the telephone.
Dave and Deb’s Excellent Surf Adventure Part 2
Have you ever loved doing something that you are just not very good at? That is Dave and I when it comes to surfing. Man, we love it, but we just aren’t naturals at it.When we came back to Hikkaduwa Beach on Sri Lanka’s south western coast, we decided to get down to business and try to see if we could actually get the hang of riding the surf. Milan was our instructor and he was fantastic. showed us how to look for the right wave, how to turn upside down on our surfboard to go under a wave and how to feel the right moment to stand and ride the crest of the wave as opposed to white water. He even showed us how to start turning on the wave so that we could actually ride it one day soon.
Snapshot Sunday: Dodanduwa Temple
Sri Lanka has its fair share of holy sites. Temples, like this one in the small town of Dodanduwa, dot the landscape. Some offered refuge during the Tsunami and others continue to be a place where monks study and learn the ways of Buddhism.
Unawatuna Sri Lanka. It Could be Paradise
The one thing that I don’t love about Sri Lanka’s beaches is the fact that they are so close to the Highway. That was something that we found to be refreshing change in Unawatuna. Unawatuna is a beach located right on the southern tip of Sri Lanka and it used to be the place to go. The highway bypasses this area and travelers can walk on quiet streets checking out shops and vendors and eating in cafés without inhaling fumes. Dave put it perfectly however. If Unawatuna had Hikkaduwa’s beaches it would be perfect. If Hikkaduwa had Unawatuna’s roads, it would be perfect. Unfortunately, neither is perfect.
Temples of India and Sri Lanka: A Photostory
We have seen some pretty extraordinary temples in our three months of traveling through India and Sri Lanka. From the Taj Mahal to the summit of Adams Peak, temples are a way of life in these spiritual countries. We will be seeing many more I am sure, but here is a photo story of some of the great temples that we have witnessed on our Asian Adventure.
Train Travel, Sri Lanka
One of the most pleasant ways of traveling around Sri Lanka is by train. Sri Lanka is a small country so you don’t have to worry about overnight sleepers as in India and booking is a dream. Just show up at the station a few minutes before your departure, buy a second class ticket and you are off! It chugs slowly along through Tea Plantations, dense forest and spectacular mountain Vistas.
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