First stop was Hikkaduwa, Drifters Hotel. Owned by the most switched on Sri Lankan, Lalith, we had yet to meet - happy to work hard. Whilst here we got a tuk-tuk to the Tsunami Museum, which consisted of 2 shacks on the beach.No entry fee, just a donation box. The museum was mainly of donated photos from volunteers and organisations that helped with the clear up. It was extremely moving, some were taken as the first and second waves hit. Fe was in tears and I was holding them back, trying to do the man thing whilst surrounded by women survivors who were showing us round. The photos were very graphic and captured the moment as you can imagine. The beach front is scattered with shells of houses left and gravestones and memorials.
Tsunami stats for this area - 40,000 deaths (with 1500 killed on the train alone. After the first wave came when the train stopped at the station, everyone clambered on for safety but then the second wave hit. This resulted in the biggest rail disaster in history) 20,000 children orphaned, 5650 people missing.
Next, a little more light hearted, was the turtle sanctuary. A local guy ran this, doing what he thinks is the right thing by protecting this little critter as the locals seem to think they have the given right to steal the eggs and sell them on for a rupee of course. This little fella was only 1 day old, Big D didn't want to drop him!
Whilst we were staying at Drifters a Poson Poya day, full moon day, fell.
The Poya Day of each month is classed as a holiday in Sri Lanka. On Poya Days all places of entertainment are closed and no alcohol is sold. Lalith, Drifters manager has given this one some thought though as once dark, 7pm ish, he was more than happy to make special arrangements for guests to order booze. This came in the form of Amstels being served up in tea sets. The man was hailed a genius. It was a very clear night and the brightness of the moon lit the sea with splashes of silver.
No comments:
Post a Comment