We arrived safely in Sri Lanka after an eight-day sail using only twelve hours of the engine.
Our only hiccup was when our keel became ensnared in an unmarked, floating fishing net thirty-eight nautical miles off the coast of Trincomalee.
The Captain’s quick thinking to cleat the fishing net at the bow avoided further wrapping around the rudder or prop overnight. We were able to free Amandla from the net at dawn.
And every cloud has a silver lining. The delay allowed us to arrive as several whale pods were surfacing eight nautical miles from the harbor entrance ?
It’s been full-on travel since arriving here, with us returning periodically to Trincomalee to check in on Amandla, soak up the local culture, and prepare for the next excursion.
During our land travels, we’ve been delighting in the varied landscapes from the sea to the plains to the hills, enjoying some magnificent hikes in the more temperate climates…
…and spotting elephants, leopards, bears, peacocks, owls, and crocodiles in the wild while on Safari.
We’ve been treated to endless visual feasts with temples old & new…
…and multi-day festivals.
Pathirakali Amman Temple – Trincomalee
Even the ordinariness of every day here is exploding with color.
Sri Lankan’s are very warm and welcoming…
… always introducing themselves and curious about where we were coming from and headed to.
We’ve enjoyed many experiences sans other tourists and even in the more trafficked areas, we never felt overwhelmed
But the highlight for me was meeting old friends for the first time and spending two days with them in their jungle oasis.
I met Peta and Ben through their wonderful blog, Empty Nesters On A Green Global Trek in early 2016 and immediately felt a connection which only deepened when we met in person.
If you are ever in Sri Lanka, you’ll definitely want to book an Air BnB stay at their ‘Artists Haven’. Or hang out with them online for a few years and maybe they will invite you over as their guests.
We’ve lifted anchor and are headed to the Maldives where I hope, with a bit of downtime on the beach, to share more stories here about wonderful Sri Lanka.
I will be off-line as we make way but will send periodic position updates which you can follow on this website’s sidebar, Farkwar or Twitter. I will respond to your very welcome comments once I have arrived and procured a Maldivian SIM card.
Hello! Hello! So nice to hear from you. Glad the trip to Ceylon was safe. Apart from the net. Strange to see your pictures. I have some from a trip my parents made in 1952! The tea plantations still look exactly the same. Did you go to Sigiriya?
Fair winds to Maldives.
?There was something about those tea plantations that made me go ‘retro’ with my post-processing. They do indeed seem stuck in a time long past. Sadly, we did not make it to Sigiriya and missing it (as well as Adams Peak) is a regret. I had two opportunities, bypassing the first to keep up crew morale (The Captain had had enough of UNESCO entrance fees by that point) and bypassing the second given predictions of inclement weather which never materialized. I guess I will just have to come back. The good news is that I saw just about everything else on my list and really adored the place.
Have you visited here? If not, it is a must see. 8 UNESCO sights, 26 National Parks, endless beaches (which we bypassed because our life is full of beaches) and locals that treat you like a rock star. Much of it is relatively unspoiled by tourism. We’ve filled the boat with fresh tea that will carry us all the way to South Africa.
Anchored off Galle Harbor at the moment waiting for the winds to kick in to proceed to the Maldives.
No. Haven’t been there yet. I have a strange relationship with the Indian continent. Born there but left too young to remember anything. And yet my parents had so many photos and film, it’s almost as if I knew the place. 😉
SA? You will stop at cape town I guess?
Well I hope you go soon. We will sail to Cape Town in December. First stop in Africa will be Richards Bay in October
So you’re staying in the Maldives for several months? 🙂
And then straight to South Africa? No stop on the way? Seychelles? Madagascar?
We are in The Maldives for 1 month, then BIOT for 1 month, then Madagascar for 2 months, then quick trips through Mayotte, Comoros, Mozambique en route to South Africa. The Seychelles are still a possibility but unlikely
Fascinating – and quite different to all the other posts I have seen so far responding to the Weekly Photo Challenge
Sri Lanka offered much ‘awakening’ to chose from for this post. We were often ‘awake’ before dawn to catch the landscapes in the best light or see the animals (who are up early) on Safari. The festivals going on here were all about celebrating Mother Nature’s awakening in spring. But I opted for the monk contemplating under the tree in Anuradhapura, awakening his soul. Thank you for your visit. Nice to see you here.
Fascinating post! Fair winds!
Thank you as always for your visit John and Susan. Delighted that you enjoyed the post! We are resting at anchor in the southwest corner of Sri Lanka waiting for wind. The gribs say we should be on our way tomorrow…but the gribs here seem to change by the moment.
Fascinating Lisa.
I am a bit afraid to leave the boat in this part of the world and travel around.
How was your experience from a security stand point?
Best
Dom
Always a pleasure to see you here Dom. I hope you and Songhui are doing well.
I never felt unsafe during my land travels in Sri Lanka whether traveling solo, with only women or in mixed groups. And we felt very safe in the two ports we visited with Amandla.
For the predominance of our time in Sri Lanka, we were at anchor in the large bay at Trincomalee. We had only left Amandla for two nights at anchor once before, so The Captain was a bit reticent to stay away longer. But the bay is large, remained as tranquil as a lake in all conditions, and had virtually zero traffic in it. With the exception of the sailing fleet, I think we saw one large cargo, our shipping agent’s boat, one small fishing outrigger, a tourist whale watching boat, and a few sailing dinghies during the month. There is room for 100 + sailing boats in the Town Anchorage but there were never more than eight at a time. The entrance from the street to the dinghy dock is manned by police and the harbormaster. It is off-the-beaten-track, but still walking distance from town. We ended leaving Amandla twice for multi-day trips. If you are loath to leave your boat overnight, there are great UNESCO Sights and safari options near enough for a day trips. And Trinco is a colorful town with snorkeling, whale watching, and festivals with very little tourism.
After we left Trinco, circumstances found us unexpectedly in Port Galle for just under a week. While we preferred the Trincomalee over Galle for a variety of reasons, the Port is just as safe. You can tie up to cement walls and everyone who exits or enters is required to show port permit papers.
What are your sailing plans for the year?
Delighted to hear from you, Lisa! Sri Lanka looks lovely, and I’m glad to hear you had a good time there. Looking forward seeing your pictures from the Maldives. Safe travels!
Ahoy from the anchorage at Jungle Beach. We’ve dropped anchor while we wait for the wind to kick in. Allegedly, it should be here tomorrow to carry us all the way to Uligamu.
I think you’d really enjoy Sri Lanka. 8 UNESCO sights, 26 National Parks, endless beaches, and adorable, well-behaved school children. Maybe these students can convince you to come someday for a visit.
I would love to come by for a visit! Sounds like a wonderful country, and I do love meeting school children acrpss the world. 🙂 ONE DAY!
A place I would much like to visit.
I do hope you visit Sri Lanka. So much awesome on offer here.
Good news, good passage, great hosts and excellent images – great to hear of it all and see it too. Happy Sri Lanka to you, and beyond!
Ahoy from the anchorage at Jungle Beach Manja! We have dropped anchor here waiting for the ever elusive wind to blow in. Thank you for your visit, well wishes and retweet. And thank you also for your recent shout-out. Am delighted to be counted among the women who make your day better
Ah, Lisa, you’re always welcome. 🙂 Waiting for the wind is not the bad way to live. I hope you don’t have to wish for long though. And I applaud your skill of adding a concealed link in a comment like this. 😀
???
I was just thinking of you Lisa and wondering where and how you and the Captain are doing. Wonderful photos and blog as usual. Looking forward to seeing and hearing more. Safe passage.
Ahoy you! We are at anchor waiting for wind. Looks like you’ve got plenty to spare down your way ?. So far life is good on our Indian Ocean passage. Really looking forward to Chagos! Wish we were sharing an anchorage or two with you and John.
Hi, Lisa – Thank you for sharing your remarkable travels and photos with us. You are not kidding about the “endless visual feasts”! So cool that you were able to meet up with Ben and Petra (I also follow their blog). Wishing you continued amazing, and safe, travels!
Thank you for joining me virtually Donna and for your lovely compliments! Maybe you will visit Sri Lanka on your next trip to the region.
On another note, congratulations on your nomination for Best Overall Blogger in the Annual Blogger Bash Awards. I voted for you here
Funny how delays can end up working out for the better. 🙂 Gorgeous photos, as usual, and how wonderful to meet up with the radiant Peta and Ben. I can just imagine the conversations. Wishing you a bon voyage to Maldives.
Delays do indeed often work out for the better. Whenever I am angry at a delay, I flip it on its head and think ‘how fortuitous’ …even when it doesn’t end with a visit from whales
And honestly, spending time with Peta and Ben was like being home with family. For a part of their life, they hailed from around the same part of ‘Chicagoland’ that I am from, so perhaps that is what drove the connection. Or maybe it is just their nomadic lifestyle that made me feel so at home in their company.
And speaking of being a perpetual nomad, I truly adored your latest post. Resonated with me on so many levels.
Thank you, Lisa. ?
Once again taking me to regions of the world I can only dream about. Love the awesome pictures!
Adore having you onboard virtually for the circumnavigation Gary! Big hug to the entire Skipah crew in your new digs in New Albany. Looking forward to the day when you are #HoosiersInAnnapolis
What a wonderful journey you’re on, and how fabulous that you got to meet Peta and Ben!
Alison
? I am a lucky girl indeed Alison! Now if only I could take pictures as lovely as yours ?
Fabulous to sea you sailing again, lovely lady. 🙂 🙂 And what an exotic mix of images! I especially love painting the stupa. (not in person, you understand 🙂 ) Have a fab time in the Maldives!
It is wonderful to be crossing another ocean Jo! I’ve been dreaming of sailing to Sri Lanka since 2015 and now, here I am. It is even better than I dreamed of and I am so not ready to leave. We are anchored here in Jungle Bay for one more evening while waiting for wind that will carry us to the Maldives. Thank you as always for your visit and kind words. Always a pleasure to see you here.
Renee (aka Bridget, alias Lisa) – Herself’s favorite is the fellows hanging off the ladder repairing the temple, but mine is the scarlet robed monk under the ancient tree – but you probably that… Your Secret Admirer
OMG Tom-Tom, you totally cracked me up with your ‘Horacio Hornblower’ moniker! I LOVE comments on the blog so thank you for yours…and such a lovely one at that. The monk under the tree was my favorite snap from Sri Lanka so I am delighted that you liked it too! Fabio prefers the fellows hanging off the ladder on the temple like your First Mate.
Can not wait to see Sri Lanka through Tiger Lilly’s eyes. I hope you love it as much as I have.
Hoping that we will catch you in Chagos. We will likely be there from 22 May.
It all looks so enchanting, Lisa. Have only sat on the tarmac at Colombo airport (en route from Maldives to Dubai). It all looked so inviting as we came into land, but no means of accessing it! But whales and elephants! Wonderful.
Oh I do hope that you find your way back to Sri Lanka Tish …outside of the airport. So much wonderful to see in such an easily accessible space. And I am curious to know of your experience in The Maldives as that is where we are sailing now.
It was quite a long time ago, and only a package tour from Kenya so we were confined mostly to a very luxurious but tiny tourist island. We did take a boat trip to Mahe, which was a delight to wander around, though anyone not staying there had to leave by sunset. I think all was well managed to avoid the ill effects of mass western tourism – which we understood, but it all felt a bit Disney-esque on our island.
Traveling here by sailboat gives us more ‘freedom to roam’ but we are still limited. Not all resort islands welcome visiting yachts in their anchorage. Many of the islands inhabited by local populations remain ‘off-limits’ to foreigners although some have opened up since 2008. We love meeting locals and plan to stop in where ever we are able.
Lovely to see your photos of Sri Lanka. My house mate is from Sri Lanka and once upon a time lived in Nuwara Eliya. She is an expert on tea so always ensures we get great cups of tea in this house. Apart from my friend, one of my longest connections with Sri Lanka is through my great uncle who died on the hospital ship HMHS Neuralia, August 1915. It is believed that the name Neuralia was derived from Nuwara Eliya. http://forums.clydemaritime.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=13199 Such interesting connections 🙂 and you have made a lovely one with your friends Peta and Ben.
Ahoy from somewhere in the Maldives (we are under sail at the moment but The Captain and our crew Lucio are manning the ship). How lucky is your housemate to have lived in Nuwara Eliya? For me, the climate was perfection, the landscapes jaw-droppingly gorgeous, the fresh food offerings endless, and oh, all that tea. I would love to know her favorite tea(s). I read your link on the Neuralia and its eventual demise in WWII. Was your great uncle aboard her in WWI?
My great uncle was wounded at Gallipoli and died aboard the Neuralia. He was buried at sea somewhere between Gallipoli and Alexandria. Hmm, as for the tea, I think my housemate might say the favourite depends on the day! But I will ask.
I just read your poignant post memorializing your Great-Uncle Teddy. I did not know you when you wrote it. But I was in New Zealand for the Gallipoli Centenary and had just started following you when you wrote these beautiful words of remembrance:
“As I walked around the rows [of crosses, one for each soilder], I thought of the unprecedented grief which sat at family tables that year. The cup not used, the plate not laid, the tea not poured, the meal not cooked, the empty chair, the hand not there to tousle a child’s hair …there was grief; there was love with nowhere to go”.
Yet we still haven’t learned. Will we ever?
I am glad as Anzac Day nears that you and I have shared these old posts. The crosses this year number over 4000. I don’t know if I can bear to look at them this year. The theme of this year’s Poppy Day ( which is today) is ” not all wounds bleed”. How true is that. And, yes, we still haven’t learned.
Just thinking about those 4000 crosses makes me cry. The Poppy Day theme is spot on!
Fabulous photos, Lisa. You are my International Geographic, my Cruising World and my eye on this colourful planet. Loved the quiet monk under that huge tree. Also the wonderful photos from Manja Mexi Movie.
Thank you so much for the love Diane! I am honored by your kind words. And how about those wonderful photos from Manja! Her site is a cornucopia of visual amusement. Even her homepage theme is a treat. The visual shift from sepia to color as you scroll down through the posts.
What remarkable creatures from sea and land to have seen close up! Enjoy your time in beautiful Sri Lanka with it’s welcoming people and flavorful food…happy sailing!
Sri Lanka has definitely got it all going on! We’ve sailed onward to The Maldives but I continue to find myself looking backward to Sri Lanka. I could have spent another two months there and am counting my blessings that I was lucky enough to spend one.
Although I had heard most of this news in words, seeing it in living color makes it all the more real and wonderful! You have made every one of your stops so meaningful; in addition to covering one ocean at a time, you have done such a great job of delving into one land at a time, and that’s the part that captivates me! Once again, I LOVE that you spent time with Peta and Ben – that would be a highlight for me, too, I’m sure!
I hope that you have an opportunity to hang out with Peta and Ben someday. And I am so looking forward to your upcoming ‘postcards’ from Rome and Kyrgyzstan. Maybe I will get lucky and you will write one from Madagascar as well ;-).
LIsa, what absolutely gorgeous photographs! All of them! My favorite one is of the men painting the stupa and Ben loves the tea country shot. You really have an terrific eye!
And how lovely to be part of your post on Sri Lanka! We feel exactly the same way, it was SO comfortable having you stay with us and spending time together was just great. Wish we had been able to meet the Captain in Galle, and maybe taste his spaghetti carbonara 🙂 Thanks for making the effort to take two long train rides to get to us ~ nothing short of heroic! But then again, you are the quintessential adventurous one!
We were thinking of doing a post about your visit ~ After all, you are the first blog reader and first sailor and first digital friend to swing by Sri Lanka ~ and feature this post, as your photos are so wonderful. With your permiso, of course…
Till we meet again,
Ben & Peta
xoxo
Ahoy from The Maldives Peta and Ben! I just tried to bring up your blog to see what posts I might have missed while we were sailing here and received the dreaded ‘404 Not Found’ message ?. I hope to see you back online soon and hope everything is going wonderfully with your travels. I would be honored to be part of any post on your blog. Thank you so much for all the love here and while I was visiting you in Sri Lanka. I am sorry that we couldn’t meet up again when we unexpectedly found ourselves anchored in Galle, but I have no doubt that our paths will cross again someday.
That is all so gorgeous and amazing. And I was wondering if Peta and Ben would pop up and there they were! Icing on the cake.
Ahoy from The Maldives Anabel! I actually thought of you and John when I visited the Hill Country of Sri Lanka with it’s wonderful hikes to jaw dropping views. I think you would very much like visiting Sri Lanka. Peta and Ben were most definitely icing on the cake! Always a treat to meet a fellow blogger in person, especially when they are as awesome as Peta and Ben.
Wow! When I started to read your post, I was thinking that I’d “introduce” you to Ben and Peta just in case you had a chance to meet them… then, there they were! What a treat it must have been to connect with each other in person!
Your pictures – as usual – are spectacular. I especially love the one of the workers painting the structure. You have a true gift, my friend.
It was most definitely a treat connecting with Peta and Ben…as I know it will be when I meet you someday in the future.
Thank you for your kind compliments on the images. I am grateful to be able to happen upon such marvelous things. Hug from The Maldives.
When I was in India for most part of my life, I wanted to visit Sri Lanka. That never materialized. It’s a beautiful island and your pictures – esp Stupa painting, father-daughter bonding and the Whale – are awesome. People are incredibly warm. Have a safe trip to Maldives, Lisa. Best!
I hope you find your way to Sri Lanka someday Mahesh. I am sad that we did not find our way to India this time around. We had looked into sailing to Kochi but the winds did not favor such a journey so we sailed onward to The Maldives. Thank you so much for your visit and kind compliments on the images.
I was born in Kannur, the northern district of Kerala, not very far from Kochi. Perhaps next time you’ll sail to Kochi. All the best, my friend 🙂
? Can’t wait to make my way back around ⛵️
Dave and I were reading this together, looking at your amazing photos and we both just kept saying’ WOW’. Your adventures make us look like couch potatoes. Amazing photography and the photo of the painters may stay with me forever. Yikes! Fantastic that you spent time with Peta and Ben. I didn’t realise they rented their beautiful spot as an Air Bnb. Well now there is soothing to remember!
You are far from couch potatoes. Sailing has its challenges, but your cycles from Bangkok to Ho Chi Mihn City or Peru’s La Raya Pass would totally knock me on my butt.
Thank you so much for your visit and lovely feedback on the images. I do hope you find your way to Sri Lanka someday – either while Peta and Ben are in residence or as renters in their jungle oasis. Not only do they rent it out as an AirBnB, they also do house swaps and I can imagine they would love to visit your neck of the wood.
Ahoy from The Maldives.
The Maldives you say? Now I have serious travel envy. 🙂
So kind of you to link to those posts. Adventure comes in many forms. Lucky us that we are able to explore, each in our own way.
I didn’t realize Peta and Ben did house swaps as well. Great to know.
I’m glad that I get to share in the excitement of your bicycle excursions from the comfort of my sailboat saloon.
With regard to The Maldives, I am much more of a city/culture person than a beach person (which is pretty funny for a gal living on a sailboat) but the place is already growing on me in our short time here …50 shades of blue as far as the eye can see, dolphins jumping in the lagoon, and loads of exotic fish discovered in our first day underwater. Coral not so great yet, but we are told it gets better as we make our way south.
Very beautiful pictures 🙂
Thank you so much Balle! I am delighted that you enjoyed them.
Like you, I’m extremely excited (and a tad envious) that you met Peta and Ben in person. The more I learn about them, the more I’m intrigued about their lifestyle, achievements and personalities. Luckily for me, I have followed and connected with them long enough online, to hopefully, one day, become their bests as well. 🙂
As always, your photos are stunning, Lisa. The explosion of color in Trinconmalee and the monk under the tree with the stupas in the background are my favorites. When I saw the photo with the fishermen in Galle, I knew your visit to the Artists Haven jungle retreat would be next! Sri Lanka looks like an incredible, friendly and wildlife haven!
Have a smooth passage to the Maldives! Can’t wait to see the colors, beaches and experiences you’ll have there. Missing you both! Xxx
Peta and Ben are totally awesome. My guess is that your paths will cross somewhere, someday. Thank you for your very kind compliments on the photos. Sri Lanka is a very special place. The Maldives aren’t bad either. I wish we were sharing an anchorage together here. 50 shades of blue and dolphins jumping in the lagoon. I am keeping my eyes peeled for whale sharks and mantas. Every time I think of swimming with mantas, I remember that time when we were all sailing in the Marquesas and you and Mark got to swim with mantas in the anchorage while we were sadly in town surrounded by tourists. Still jealous.
Yeah… that was one of our highlights of the whole sailing journey. I just read about that part in my memoir, and when you came back from that church, I buzzed over to talk to you. Yes, you made it in my book. Hopefully, I don’t have to cut that part out. 🙂 I hope you will get manta visitors where you are. I’ll keep my fingers crossed.
? Almost worth missing the mantas if we get a mention in the book. But I’ll still love you if you have to cut that part out ?
Once again you took me on a trip to a place that is so different!!
Delighted to have you along for the journey Aletta. Looking forward to meeting up with you in South Africa and seeing your every day!
Lisa! It’s always a treat to find you in my inbox! I love your pictures and curiosity for humans, land, animals, and all things living. Love following you around the world. Be well! cheerio.sophie
Love traveling with you virtually and looking forward to seeing you again in person someday. Not sure if I mentioned that in all my places sailed, my two weeks in Maine in 2009 remains my favorite place ever. My friend Mary and I chartered a Hinkley out of Southwest Harbor and made it all the way to Matinicus. Fabulous sailing ground. And no risk of hitting a deer or moose in the water…at least that I am aware of…
Wonderful post. Lovely photos that bring back some great memories. I was in Sri Lanka 3 years ago and loved it. I did make it to Adams Peak but didn’t climb it, though two people I was with did make the trek to the top, starting in the middle of the night. The people in Sri Lanka are so warm and friendly and the culture so fascinating. I assume you missed the traffic in Colombo. I hope so. 🙂
Lovely to see you here Marie! Thank you for your visit and lovely compliment. I find myself longing for Sri Lanka so just had a look at your lovely pictures from the place. Was nice to see finally visit Adam’s Peak, even if only virtually. The people in Sri Lanka were as warm, friendly, and fascinating as you say. I would HIGHLY recommend the place to anyone. I did manage to make it to Colombo for about 24 hours to enjoy a taste of the traffic ;-). My favorite places there were The Jami Ul-Alfar (Red) Mosque and The World Trade Center.
Thanks, Lisa, for sharing your post and beautiful photos from Sri Lanka. I’m glad you arrived there safely and had a wonderful time. Safe travels to the Maldives! I look forward to following along your adventures.
Ahoy from somewhere in the Lakshadweep Sea. We have safely arrived in The Maldives and are currently motor sailing between atolls. Always a pleasure to travel with you virtually Natalie. Thank you so much for your generous compliments on the post.
Hello Lisa, as always, I enjoy your updates. Sri Lanka might be the most beautiful place yet. The colors are stunning and I love those interesting looking trees. It all seems so exotic! I am headed to California this week, which is not nearly as exotic, but it will get me out of the SNOW we are getting right now. The weather is just crazy here, apparently we will not have spring this year. I hope you find good weather and as always, fair winds!
Ahoy from The Maldives. Always a pleasure to see you here Michele. I am totally missing beautiful Sri Lanka but the 50 shades of blue in the Maldives are easing the pain of separation. Speaking of pain, I feel yours. As a fellow midwesterner, I totally appreciate that ‘spring has been canceled’ yet again. What’s taking you to California?
What an incredible journey! My wanderlust continues to grow after reading all of your posts!
I am a very lucky girl Nicole, but it is you who are truly inspirational. Your travels with purpose, whether with your beloved family or for one of your many worthy causes inspire me greatly. I do hope you find your way to Sri Lanka someday. It is a magnificent country.
Hi Lisa and Fabio
As away a great posting of your visit. I love the Elephants reminds me of Africa.
Next week we will be north of you in Dubai, then to Nepal and Tibet.
Safe passage,
Steve and Margo
Ahoy from The Maldives Steve and Margo! You are probably en route now. Sounds like a magnificent trip! I so wanted to go to Nepal and Tibet when we were land traveling SE Asia but it was not meant to be. Next time around. Can’t wait to experience it vicariously through you both. Thanks for sailing along with us virtually. Wish you were here with us now.
What a visual treat and looked like it was such a good time in Sri Lanka. Each image is stunning and tells a different story. What wonderful shot of Bakers Falls. Great technique. Also good to catch up with other bloggers along the way. Such a lovely shot of Peta and Ben 🙂 In your comment to Dominique, good to read that you felt safe while in Sri Lanka and sounds like wherever you go, there is a supportive group around you.
Ahoy from The Maldives Mabel! Thank you for all the love. I thank my friend and mentor Pete DeMarco for that picture of Baker’s Falls. He taught me how to merge photos in Lightroom to create my own panoramas and I’ve become obsessed with the technique. I enjoyed meeting Peta and Ben as much as I enjoyed meeting you on my visit to Melbourne and I look forward to the day when our paths cross again. Thank you for being part of my supportive virtual community ✌️❤️?
That is a wonderful photo by Pete and I am sure you can do photos like that ? Hope you get to take lovely snaps of the Maldives. We hear that the water is very blue over there., and Mr Wobbles is looking forward to seeing all the sun you are soaking up ?️??
?It is my photo. When we were in Thailand, Pete taught me how to take multiple photos and merge them in Lightroom to make a panorama. I have been using his technique ever since and that is how I was able to create the photo of Baker’s Falls. The water is super-duper blue here in the Maldives. We had dolphins jumping in our first anchorage and saw some really cool fish in our second, but overall, the snorkeling has been a bit disappointing. I’ve heard it gets better as we move south so I have high hopes. I hope to have some good images of the Maldives for Mr Wobbles soon. ???
Omg I am so sorry for the confusion. So it is your photo! Can never expect less from you, always so spot on. We do hope snokeling gets better and you get to meet many sea animal friends. Looking foward to seeing your photography again, and I’m sure you will have brilliant landscape photos ✌??
Absolutely no need to apologize. It was my poor wording that caused the confusion. Our next anchorage promises Manta Rays so fingers crossed ???
Gosh, Lisa, your array of photos covers it all! How cool to arrive when the whales swam by! I would love to be able to see and photograph that first-hand! Enjoy your continuing travels, my dear!
Ahoy from The Maldives Terri! I hope that you find your way to Sri Lanka someday. Would love to see the place through your lens. Thank you for your visit and kind words. Very excited to see you starting up the Sunday Stills photo challenge again in May.
Wow!!!! Now I really want to go to Sri Lanka! Amazing place and photos… You’re reigniting the travel bug in me, Lisa. Thank you!!
I would love to see you visit Sri Lanka someday Jessica. I have no doubt that you will do whatever you set your mind to. You’ve proven that time and again.
Sounds like a good programme. Maldives. What is BIOT? your other destinations sound enticing: Madagascar and Mozambique in particular. Mayotte is in serious social strife right now. Road blocks. Protests. There is a major issue with illegal immigration from the rest of the Comores… It may be over when you get there but I suggest you check the news beforehand.
Have a lovely week-end.
We are always watching the news as unrest seems to be the name of the game in the world these days. In February there were political protests in The Maldives. And a 10-day state of emergency was declared in Sri Lanka the day after we arrived due to cultural unrest in Kandy. FB, IG, Messenger and WhatsApp were taken off-line and we have friends that were not allowed to disembark their train for a scheduled holiday in Kandy.
BIOT (British Indian Ocean Territory) “hosts the world’s largest contiguous Marine Protected Area and the largest expanse of undisturbed coral reefs in the Indian Ocean, as well as globally significant populations of endangered species of birds and other wildlife. is not a tourist destination. Access is restricted and a permit is required in advance of travel. There are no commercial flights and mooring permits are only issued to yachts in transit”.
Bon Weekend
You are quite right about Ceylon and the Maldives. I hope things are settled now. BIOT is interesting. Will look it up. Bon Dimanche
My jaw is noticeablely hanging!! I’m so inspired by your adventurous spirit. Sri Lanka looks stunning, and I especially love the beautiful faces of the people you photographed. Thank you for taking me there 😀
Thank you for coming along with me on the journey and for brightening my spirit this morning with your lovely compliments.
Lisa! What a fabulous post!!! You have no idea how long I have been here just looking at a world I will not see in my lifetime. Wow! I SOOOOO enjoyed this and at the same time wish that somehow I was you traveling as you do. Perhaps next life? Thank you for taking the time to put this post together for those of us who do not have the life you do. Exemplary post!!! ??????
???I so thank you for continuing to travel with me virtually Amy and I am delighted that you enjoyed the visit to Sri Lanka. You strike me as one who is able to find adventure in your every day, so in my opinion, you are already a full-time traveler. You just haven’t been to Sri Lanka or Vietnam yet. Looking forward to seeing where your adventures take you tomorrow ?
Aw, Lisa. Thank you for seeing me as a traveler. (smile) My new post is today and up. If you have time please do enjoy!!! ?
Thank you so much, Lisa for sharing your another beautiful adventure. Sri Lanka is such a warm, relaxing, beautiful place from your fabulous photos, looks like you had a wonderful time.
Happy sailing! 🙂
Thank you for being a part of the adventure Amy. Sri Lanka offers such diversity with 8 UNESCO sites, 26 National Parks and a warm, welcoming populace. We only scratched the surface of all the amazing on offer here
Another awesome post! And the comments. Wow! A whole new story. Great read. Thanks Lisa.
Always a pleasure to see you here Rawls! Thank you for your visit.
Looks like you’re having a great time there. I’m told the Sri Lankans are friendly people and it’s a great place for photography. You’ve proved that.
??Would love to see your lens on Sri Lanka. Especially from above (your latest post has inspired me to capture the world from a different angle)
The unpredictability of a trip makes it all the more interesting. 🙂 A slight delay can result a different experience. In your case, a wonderful ‘whale of a welcome’! Your pictures bring life to your travel stories. Thanks for taking me along on this wonderful travel journey. Can’t wait for your post on Maldives! xo
The sailing life is teaching me to ‘go with the flow’ and appreciate the brighter side of unexpected changes to plan. Thank you so much for joining me in Sri Lanka. And a bit of a Maldives teaser… what we are lacking here in your beautiful cherry blossom bursts we are making up for in an explosion of blues.
I would love a bit of blue here! I wish we we could trade some flowers for a patch of blue. 🙂
Deal ? ? for ⛰?
Hey Lisa, looks like a grand adventure! I mean to tell you when you first posted this, that I feel like your eye has improved. All the shots are very clean – no clutter. You are leading the viewer’s eye directly to where it should go. And I see you have added panoramas to your list now! Awesome. Keep creating!!
Best Teacher Ever! Thank you so much for the supportive feedback. Just what I needed today. I have been having a blast creating my own panoramas using the technique that you taught me. I find it to be most useful in capturing scenes that just don’t quite fit in my frame. Taking two photos and merging them in Lightroom allows me to capture the image I see. I have created larger panoramas as well and am having fun perfecting the technique. Looking forward to watching the remaining four videos in your marvelous landscape course (downloaded) during my internet free month in Chagos. Armed with that knowledge, just think of the images I will capture in Madagascar! Yay!
Wow! looks like an amazing adventure. Glad the net didn’t snare up your engine or something. Love the pics!
We were quite lucky that the net only went around the keel. A net in the engine is nasty business indeed. I am delighted to know that you enjoyed the pics. Thank you so much!
Stay safe on your adventures. I always love to see your photos from here & there. Let me know when it’s time for you to sail to Norway! Hopefully I can join your boat for a while!
Honestly, it is a dream of mine to sail Norway. Not sure how I am going to make that happen as it is not on The Captain’s bucket list at the moment, but maybe he will come around. Wherever we are sailing on Amandla, you are always welcome.
I hope I’ll be able to join you somewhere!
Extraordinary post, dear Lisa… As I always tell you … You are so lucky to visit so many beautiful and unusual places. I hope you are having (or had!?) a great time in Maldives as well. Thanks so much for sharing your experiences with us! <3 Love & best wishes! 🙂
? Thank you for all the love Amalia and for being a part of my journey. Still in The Maldives as we make our way south for our fifth equator crossing …never gets old ?. Hugs from Himmafushi ?
I love your wale tale photo 🙂
?? Definitely a highlight of this circumnavigation Amy. We are in The Maldives at the moment and I am super hopeful that we’ll swim with Whale Sharks here. That would be really something ?
Buried deep in my mailbox I found this post and what a delight reading it!! Full of colour and whales and wait, … those photos look very familiar … so does that jungle oasis! So course, you are in Peta and Ben’s territory!
What a wonderful experience that must have been ?
As you continue on your travels, I wish you lots of the good stuff and none of the bad ?
Always a pleasure to see you here Joanne! Sri Lanka was such a delight. I could have stayed for a couple more months. Peta and Ben were definitely the icing on the cake. Such a treat to meet fellow bloggers in person, especially when they are as awesome as those two. Thank you for your well wishes. I needed them this morning. Am struggling a bit in The Maldives (I know, woe is me) but your comment perked up my spirits
I hope it’s just one of ‘those’ days and your woes are short-lived!
Ha – I am already on the mend. I’ve been having a little pity party for myself over the past couple of days because unlike all of the other wonderful places that I’ve visited, I just can’t seem to gel with the Maldives. But then I thought about it and realized most people would probably love to have such a ‘problem’. With that thought, I quickly got over myself and thanked my lucky stars for the wonderful life that I have.
I understand what you’re saying. I felt that way in Venice and Florence. I keep saying that someday I would like a do-over to see if I feel the same indifference the second time around.
Personally, I think I just get tired and occasionally need time to mentally process stuff and re-energize. Hopefully that’s all you needed – recharging time!
? I think that is very insightful. I definitely felt a need to reenergize before we set sail for here so that could be influencing my attitude. And I can imagine that you’d have to be fully rested to tackle cities like Venice and Florence. So much to take in and so many tourists to filter out.
Sri Lanka looks amazing through your lens! Love the whale pods image and the waterfalls too! Lisa, you are truly adventurous! Hope you will swim with the whale sharks soon!! Stay safe!
I am delighted that you enjoyed the post Indah! Thank you!
I did manage to see a whale shark yesterday, but it was a bit of a traumatizing experience. Unlike most areas that we’ve visited here, this spot was LITTERED with dive boats. I was in the water when I spied the whale shark and started to swim with her. But then the boats started to close in and throngs of snorkelers jumped into the water, swarming the gentle giant. I didn’t want to be part of it so I turned around and swam back to our dinghy, dodging more dive boats that were moving in to let their snorkelers have a go.
When we swam with the humpbacks in Vava’u Tonga, there were very few companies in the area. They had an unwritten rule – 1 boat (no more than 6 divers) to a whale pod at a time. The other boats had to wait in the distance or go find another pod. The Maldives might benefit from such a policy.
I am sorry to hear that, Lisa. That doesn’t look good nor safe environment for the whale sharks when passing Maldives. While I do have some critics towards the tourism practice related to the whale sharks in the Philippines, however, it sounds now the practice in the Philippines is much better than in Maldives. We had a lengthy briefing before jumping to the water and they limit the boats to see the whale sharks – and there was no motor boats, just a traditional boat with a boatman to pedal the boat.
I agree that Maldives has to consider about the options that you mentioned or learn from the Philippines in organizing such tourism that related to endangered species. It’s time to respect these animals. Without these species, the ocean is just an empty space 🙁
Thank you so much for your insights Indah. I think that ‘eco-tourism’ can be a good thing for whale sharks, local populations, and visitors if done correctly. Whale shark visits should be conducted with gratitude. The Maldives would most certainly benefit by adopting a respectful, sustainable model.
So enjoyed your capture of those dusky tea fields. You’ve got me dreaming of whisking off to Sri Lanka.
I do hope you find yourself in Sri Lanka someday. I am still looking backwards wishing I were there. The tea county is most definitely a place where you will want to linger ?
Catching up a bit late in the day but what a wonderful set of photos and account of your adventures Lisa! Love the wildlife shots – we were lucky enough to see a large pod of whales “fishing” in Alaska. Such an amazing sight!
Lovely to see you here at anytime Rosemary. Whales bring good luck and are such a blessing to see. To experience them in Alaska is a dream of mine ?
Well that’s good to know Lisa as we saw a whole pod of them off Juneau in Alaska – apparently a very rare sight about 14 or 15 humpback whales “bubble-netting” on the reef. Happens occasionally when there is a large shoal of fish there and they all dive together and blow bubbles to create an “air” fishing net. The biologist guiding our tour said this was only the 3rd time she had even seen this phenomenon and she’s lived in Alaska all her life! It was an amazing spectacle to witness and we were incredibly lucky 🙂
This Sri Lanka post brings back memories when I visited this country several years ago! I love the tea plantations and the elephant pictures. That Jungle Oasis of your friends looks very inviting! It’s time to revisit this country! 🙂
I adore Sri Lanka and look forward to visiting there again on our victory lap. I’ll visit your Sri Lanka posts to experience it again virtually through your lens. My friends have since moved to Hoi An in Vietnam but let their Sri Lanka Jungle Oasis as an Airbnb.
Just had a look and there are no Sri Lanka posts on the blog yet. I hope you’ll publish one soon, either reminiscent of previous visits or celebrating your return there.
[…] Then Lisa and Fabio set sail for Sri Lanka. Not wanting my Andaman island hopping adventure to end, I slow-traveled my way back to Penang by ferry. […]