All posts filed under: Travel

Let there be Light

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Even After All this time The Sun never says to the Earth, “You owe me.” Look What happens With a love like that, It lights the whole sky. From The Gift: Poems by Hafiz. An English rendering by Daniel Ladinsky of poet Hafiz’s work. In July this year I was invited to take part in ‘Let There Be Light,’ curated and produced by talented artist Chandrika Maelge. The mixed faith collective included photographer Kesara Ratnavibhushana, film maker Hilusha Hewagama and writer Nuzaifa Hussain. Each of us made a personal interpretation of the words ‘Let there be Light,’ which are the first words in the bible.   I took a literal approach in my interpretation and chose to celebrate the original sources of light around us, namely the sun, moon and stars. Like expressed in the poem by Hafiz above, I am in forever awe of the hold that these celestial orbs have over our survival here on Earth, and revelation teaches us how light is a sign of God’s existence. In the Quran, ‘The Light’ (An-Noor) …

Tea, in India

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The last few rainy days in Colombo has made me nostalgic for a hot chai.  A good tea for me is my chai from a roadside boutique in India. Maybe it is the size of the cups they are served in. Or the flavor of cardamon. But my love affair with tea began and ended in India. As a child, I hated drinking tea. Often, when served tea I would sip at it grudgingly. I never understood how my parents seemed to not be able to function without their morning and evening cup. Hostel life changed my taste for tea. Faced with limited food options in the mess, the Mumbai monsoons, and the need for something warm in the morning, tea became a staple for the next three years. What I really enjoyed about tea in Mumbai was the shot glass it was served in. Known as a ‘cutting chai’ which was half the amount of your average tea cup. This size was perfect for Mumbai’s rushed life. Each city makes a different chai. Each …

The Qur’an

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Most people think that Ramadan revolves around food, or the lack of. However the true significance of Ramadan is the Qur’an. While Muslims do fast from sunrise to sunset, everyday for a month, they are also expected to spend time reading the Qur’an and reflecting on its teachings.  Interestingly, the first word ever revealed from the Qur’an ‘ikra’ means ‘read’ in Arabic. The word Quran, itself is often translated as ‘The Recitation’ and is considered the literal words of God.  It was in the month of Ramadan that revelation first started to be sent down to the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) by the angel Gabriel and continued for 23 years. We believe The Prophet is the last of a line of messengers extending from the beginning of mankind sent to guide humanity. The Quran being the last message confirming those that came before it. “This is the Scripture in which there is no doubt, containing guidance for those who are mindful of God. Who believe in the unseen, keep up the prayer, and …

Sun Aqua Pasikudah

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My first trip to Pasikudah was definitely a blissful holiday as I got to spend it at Sun Aqua. The property is part of a Maldivian resort chain and it tries to bring the same serene ambience as the luxury hotels in Maldives are known for. The hotel has around 30 rooms in a chalet style setting. This ensure the space and privacy one needs for a relaxing vacation. The highlight of the room is its large bathroom complete with a plunge pool. This unique feature sets the hotel apart from most of the others on Pasikudah beach. The hotel provides all facilities from three restaurants, a gym, spa, entertainment room and a spectacular pool.  The service is great and the staff is super accommodating. The restaurants serve a diverse menu and have both Sri Lankan and international staples. Their signature dish is this Jaffna style Crab Curry. The hotel has a great spot on the beach and when not using the plunge pool in your room, or swimming pool, the fabulous beach awaits you. Beautiful through out the day. …

Mecca and Medina

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Visiting Mecca is always this overwhelming experience, even for the not so observant.  I’ve seen the Ka’aba (black square building) for years in pictures and on television, and finally seeing it in real life is both surreal and exciting. The layout and architecture of the mosques in Mecca and Medina gives one the feeling of being on a futuristic movie set. Where everyone is in robes, surrounded by the desert, speaking different languages, under high tech domes, and space shuttle shaped canopies.  It creates a sense of the past and future, and makes you feel like you are on an alien planet, removed from the rest of the world. Tomorrow marks Eid ul Adha, the festival that commemorates the end of the Hajj pilgrimage. So I thought I’d blog about my first visit to Mecca and Medina on Umrah (lesser pilgrimage) earlier this year.  Umrah can take place anytime of the year, whereas the actual Hajj pilgrimage happens annually between the 8th and 12th of of the last month of the Islamic Calendar. Mecca is where the Prophet …

Bedspace, Unawatuna

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Last weekend, the brother and I were hosted by the wonderful Malcolm Skinner at Bedspace, Unawatuna.  We enjoyed amazing hospitality and great food, and I came back to Colombo fuller and more relaxed than I’d been in a long time. Bedspace was started in December 2014 by Malcolm and his business partner David Thomson.  Malcolm is British, but has roots in Sri Lanka and thought it would  be fantastic to start a hospitality venture here.  The biggest attraction of the guesthouse, is their kitchen, with its very creative, delicious and locally sourced dishes. I judge an eating establishment by how well they make a vegetarian dish. I don’t eat a lot of meat in general, and really appreciate a place that serves good veg fare. And Bedspace, definitely won my heart with their vegetarian tart. My brother was served a perfectly flavoured Prawn Pad Thai. The rooms are simple, with focus on guest comfort. The pillows are wonderfully fluffy, and perfect for a good nights sleep. The bathrooms are large, and the rooms come with every amenity …

Phillip Island, Australia

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My first trip out of Melbourne was to Phillip Island. The place is a very popular tourist destination both for its scenic beauty and wildlife sanctuaries. The island is named after Arthur Phillip the first Governor of New South Wales and is only an hour’s drive from the city. There are many things you can do in Phillip Island. My itinerary included: Walking along The Nobbies. Lunch at one of the public barbecue grills. All you need to do is bring your meat and roast it over the electric grills. No coals required Visit to the Phillip Island Wildlife Park The Penguin Parade at sunset. I loved the wildlife park as it gave us first hand access to Australia’s indigenous animals. The kangaroos were pretty tame and were used to being fed by visitors. Entry into the park is $17 and includes a bag of food for the animals. More pictures from the park: At sunset we went to watch the Penguin Parade,  the world’s smallest penguins known as ‘little penguins,’ ‘fairy penguins’, or kororā in Maori. They grow …

Blogging from Melbourne

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I am sitting at a Middle Eastern cafe called Zaatar, in Coburg, a cosy suburb in Melbourne. Lined with Arab and Turkish cafes, Pakistani dress boutiques, and Indian restaurants, the place feels close to home.  I order a chamomile tea and a piece of baklava  so I can sit here and write my fist blog post since May. I am in Melbourne for many reasons. Being a freelance photographer gives me the freedom to work from anywhere. I like moving office once in a while and this seemed like a good place to get my creativity flowing. Apart from my shoot here, I will also be traveling around Australia and am hoping to visit Brisbane and the Gold Coast in a few days. I landed on a Thursday night, straight into Fall season. It’s been chilly, but a refreshing change from the oppressive heat in Colombo in May. The best part of my flight was flying over Hong Kong during my transit. Definitely a place I’d like to visit in the future. I started my first …

The Parakrama Samudra

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Polannaruwa is hands down my favourite heritage city in Sri Lanka.  I had first visited the place when I was about 7, but could not recall that trip too clearly. Then in 2013 I went to help my cousin settle into his medical internship at Polannaruwa and fell in love with the place immediately. The temples and old city are quite a treat. Be sure to rent a cycle and check out them out. I have been to the ruins three times now in the last year and a half and still love going there. However, the clowning glory of the city is The Parakrama Samudra (The Sea of Parakrama). It was built by King Parakramabahu I, a visionary for his time.   When my friends come down from India I make it a point to take them to the Samudra and they have always been impressed. This artificial tank literally does look like a sea. More often that not you are bound to see some elephants coming to drink from its waters. There is …

Helga’s Folly

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Walking into Helga’s Folly in Kandy is like entering a scene from Alice in Wonderland. Surreal and over the top, all I wanted to do was sit down and take in the place slowly. Me being mad cat lover, with a penchant for colourful things, antiques and chaos, walking into  the Folly was like being returned home. Which is also a very overwhelming experience as you didn’t think home existed. And then you find it! And there is excitement and then serenity. Helga’s Folly is owned by Helga Desilva Blow Perera, who has converted her childhood home to this eccentric boutique hotel. We never got to meet Helga that day, but I’ve always been a fan of who she was. The place is synonymous with her personality and she is apparently as colourful and interesting as her home. The Welsh rock band Stereophonics even has a song about her called “Madam Helga.” Disorienting for anyone not used to such disorder, it takes a little while to settle in.  The haunting music playing in the background …