Paradise is there in Unawatuna

This blessing string is tied to a bodhi tree in Colombo in hopes of new bodhi sprouts.
Mine is tied to my fig tree in Crescent City in hopes of an abundant fig harvest.

Three and a half hours riding in the back seat of a tuk-tuk through town and country side, with temples, shrines, cows, roadside stands, and along the sea shore, had its advantages.  Listening to Abba to accompany the endless panorama of scenery facilitated a speedy passing of time. I just wanted to get to Unawatuna and that little castle in the sky I had only seen in a pic.

The tuk-tuk (3 wheeled road-worthy vehicle with one seat in front for driver and room for three (maybe) in the back.

This sense of urgency made it difficult to enjoy every moment and take in as much as I could as we passed by each moment quickly. I can't see- or hear - very quickly - takes more time than it used to for processing, so occasional retreats into the music itself became necessary. With this balance, the whole tuk-tuk dance to Unawatuna was pure delight.

Many options for a view of the little castle, but this, with the mist holds the wondrous!

Rustic and not a disappointment, the vacation home of my host's son-in-law's brother was the perfect resting place for this weary traveler.

Up some stairs to the first level, inside was  a kitchen and two other rooms. Outside and up another stairs,was a place to sleep, shower, sinks, toilet and a porch. There was a third floor to which I did not venture. The home was built into a huge boulder which served as  a back wall. The rest of the walls, inside and out were made of or covered with stone.

The sleeping area had windows on three sides. These windows opened let in the sounds of the ocean, a cool breeze, and the full moon.

This view shows the access to the environment outside.

 The porch was cool and the place of afternoon and evening conversations.

Each day was filled with activity: a trip to an aryuveda nursery; English breakfast; an hour on the beach;

Many woman on the beach hustling their merchandise. Awesome to watch. Irritating to be intruded upon relentlessly.

a night time search for a friend to a couple of beach side bars; a trek up the side of the  mountain to a home overlooking Unawatuna;

One of many scenes from above Unawatuna. 

pizza in paradise;  a ride in the mangrove swamps where we purchased crabs and enjoyed fresh coconut water;

Kurt took these of our tour of the mangrove swamps.

a pilgrimage to Buddhist temples;

This monk is giving a blessing and tying a string to wear for a week then tie to a tree after that for more blessing.

a trip to Galle where we took a tour of a coconut oil factory.

This process produces cold-press virgin coconut oil. We were able to purchase two 750ml bottles for under $4

 to a Buddhist store for begging bowls and to a gem lab to purchase a moonstone for our daughter, Caroline.

Dinners included a traditional Shingalese meal, the crabs and a new creation from the two previous dinners on the third evening.

Each night there was conversation on the porch. For the most part, these evenings were the highlight of the day. This was a time when the visual stimulation of the day turned to listening to the song, story, and symbol of human beings interrelating -heart and mind and soul.

Kurt is a mesmerizing tale spinner and great at sharing knowledge, in this case, of the tsunami which did not ruin this beautiful little castle.

Each day in Sri Lanka, I wrote in a diary. These were very short check-ins on where I was and how I was feeling about things. Since I had chosen to experience every encounter as a blessing during this pilgrimage to paradise, each encounter was joyful, relaxing, and energized by the company I was keeping and the environment surrounding us.

Upon reading the diary after returning home, I became aware of the wounding that also was occurring. This wounding is a natural part of living each moment. It is a carving of new experience into the  changing paradigm. Sometimes this is experienced at the time. Sometimes it is experienced in reflection, as was the case with me in Sri Lanka.

This wounding may also be considered "shadow", present in every person and experience. Using this image, the wounding is a shedding of light on that which has been hidden from conscious awareness. It was worth leaving this in the diary, as inference. Now, at home alone,  I can meditate on where this wounding came from and what is the real meaning and purpose of, and value to this adventure  in paradise.

Every moment in Sri Lanka has been  a priceless contribution to my journey through life. I am so grateful that only in the diary did I take time for the change occurring and its accompanying awareness. I am also grateful that there is not one complaint written there in the diary, only arrows pointing to further contemplation.

Most important in this paradise place, I was being touched by the Divine which made me feel totally at home where I was.  I love it all! The whole adventure!

When has been a time in your life where you ventured into paradise and experienced it fully?

Driving back to Colombo along the seashore was the most pleasant of all the days I was in Sri Lanka .