From the Tsunami to Turtles, what a day

Tsunami affected coastline
see all photos »

We were on our bikes bright and early pedalling down the road by just after 7am. Today was packed full of action and I couldn't have asked for a more memorable conclusion which I will get to a little later. Again the scenery was fantastic, providing memorable views throughout the 75km ride. At our first break we stopped in front of a small temple with a school situated right next to it. I was amazed at how clean the childrens uniforms were, absolutely spotless. This was despite the piles of rubbish scattered throughout the villages and many of the children obviously living in poverty. The mothers in Sri Lanka obviously use quite a bit of elbow grease to keep those uniforms clean!! They were adorable young children and only too happy to say hello.

Galle Fort, it was huge!
see all photos »

By the time we stopped for lunch at Galle (second biggest city in Sri Lanka) it was getting extremely hot so the break was well received by the group. Lunch consisted of many different little pastries, some quite a bit like curries which the stomach didn't like too much once we were back on the bikes! Daniel was accomodating as always, organising a coconut for each of us from the seller across the road. It was extremely refreshing in the tropical heat. Due to the heat the last 15km was energy sapping for all of us, luckily there was a nice bar with cold beers waiting at our hotel.

Little turtle hatchlings!!!!
see all photos »

After a refreshing drink and shower we were summoned by Daniel onto the bus so we could visit the Galle Fort. On our bus ride back into Galle I was able to take in some of the devastation that was still left from the Tsunami 14mths earlier. Despite huge relief efforts there was still sooooo much to be done. Many people were still living in tents with only the foundations of buildings remaining. I was full of mixed feelings ... sad for what had happened, motivated by the locals resolve and positive outlook and proud for helping support Oxfam Australia, an organisation that has helped Tsunami affected regions in so many ways.

The Galle Fort was spectacular. It was so large that a town of 5000 was able to live within it. It was originally buit by the Portuguese and then modified by the Dutch. Even today this massive fort looks extremely clean and new. It was here that I also realised the extent to which Sri Lankans are obsessed with cricket. There were hundreds of games taking place between locals, some even using sticks as cricket bats ... they are seriously obsessed!!

Another early night by all ... except me! My stories in the morning made many of them wish they had stayed up! Whilst sitting back writing in my journal I noticed a bit of commotion taking place down on the beach. Going to investigate I found some locals trying to help little turtle hatchlings into the water. The hatchlings were being attracted to the hotel lights, heading in the wrong direction! Their only hope of survival being our intervention. The locals there committed their nights to patrolling the beaches, helping turtles in trouble and protecting them from poachers. It was a mindblowing experience to hold the little hatchlings as I took them down to the oceans edge and released them into the wild. I was honoured to take part in something so special and it is a memory I shall never forget.