One one things

So the long weekend diving thing was pushed back to the next long weekend (only about 10 days away - hooray) bc some of the chaps couldn’t do this weekend. Most of the usual suspects were going to be in and around the South for at least the weekend so The Sisters and I decided it would be more fun to get in some beach time rather than wallow in Colombo. The Zimmer was full so we figured we’d just go to WD road and find a spot - it usually works. I was slightly concerned about my terribly misaligned wheels which had resulted in the the front right tire having its seams exposed. I was examining the wheels at 7am just before takeoff when the next door driver takes a look and says,

Chap - “ammo alignment eka hena upset ne?”
Me - “hmm ow..Gaalla yanna thiyanawa, puluwangwei ne?”
Chap - “120 - kiyanna bah..”
Me - “Try ekak dannang ithin..spare eka thiyanawa ne”

So I drove off, wobbling away. Picked up the sisters, got some cash, picked up M and got to WD road by about 10. First tried our luck at Tilak’s in case of cancellations but man wasn’t around bc he usually only comes down from Kandy if the regulars are staying. A chap there recommended Silva’s as a good value option. A mental note was made. Next there was an interesting looking place called the Pink Elephant a bit further down but there was literally nobody there - it looked messy but somewhat homely. After shouting a couple of times without response we headed off to Blue Moon which was allegedly full. Happy Banana was pricey at 3k so we tried Tartaruga a couple of doors down. I’ve eaten there before and the guys are friendly so it promised to be fun and at 2.1k it was a good price for a place on the beach. The sea was in good form and happily the jellyfish had gone away. A lazy brunch of pancakes and chicken curry (for some reason this combination surprises most people and requires some explanation whenever I order it) was partaken at Peacock, followed by a thoroughly satisfying nap under the trees in front of Tartaruga. I was woken up to my amusement and annoyance by reggae music coming from the boombox of one of the boats that had anchored close to us. I tried to read but I get easily distracted on the beach, there’s usually so much going on and chaps drop by for a chat. A couple of the vendors came to put a wave and say hullo and Barbra the Python and the monkey came along and stole some of my pineapple.

It was approaching sundown so we had to decide between jungle beach, secret beach and sunset point. We went with the latter given the distance involved with the others. It’s a fabulous spot off the dagaba on the Northern tip of the bay - a sheer drop into the sea over a rocky cliff where the water battles the rocks in a neverending whirlpool of fury in which I drown my eyes. We sat down quietly on the rocks waiting like pilgrims for the sun to make that final descent into its resting place for the night. The sky prepared for the celebration by sending her off with a dozen shades of pink, orange and yellow. I sat cross legged in awe - peaceful, serene, beautiful. Even the sea went quiet in those few seconds when the sun sank in a final flourish of brilliant red. It was over. Quietly the moon took its place on the other side of the sky - a subtle, dignified silver in the backdrop of the darkening blue sky.

It was time to head back after a pause to take in the magnificence of the entire Bay viewed from sunset point - Unawatuna was preparing for another Saturday night. Three of us put a late evening swim in the dark and proceeded to get quite giggly for no apparent reason - I guess it’s just the exhilaration of being there. I usually feel apprehensive about getting into water in the dark but it was great fun this time. The sea was empty and the moon danced in the waves next to us. We laughed a lot, imagined all manner of shapes in the stars, made up new constellations, laughed some more, splashed around, giggled, made plans for the next two days and finally dragged ourselves out for showers. After a couple of drinks and brilliant bites (prawns wrapped in bacon and batter fried) at Happy Banana we had a quite decent Spaghetti Marinara for dinner at Full Moon (despite being told quite politely to hurry up since they close the kitchen at 10 to avoid disturbing the guests - fat chance of that given they are next to Happy Banana.) We stayed at HB till about 1am, delighted by the table of (I’m guessing) 40 something uncles and aunties absolutely rocking it to the melange of music - and I mean melange - meted out by the DJ. Caterpillars falling onto our cushions and a bit of trouble brewing with a couple of Johnnies at another table who took an interest in two of the girls sent us packing. We headed back to Tartaruga and chatted on the beach for another couple of hours before calling it a night.