Day 19
We were to leave Kandy and our hosts for 5 days. It had been a remarkable experience and nice to stay in one place for a while. Also we had been given a degree of freedom as Kandy being much smaller was easier to walk around. Jim was dropped off very early with Ayesha to attend the "pooja" ceremony at the temple. Oferings of friut, coconut etc. were made up and taken to the buddhist priests. Prayers were said and Jim was introduced and prayers spoken. Later homage was paid to Ganesha and Kali. This was all a very humbling experience and again a wonderful thing to be part off. A last look at the large tank in the centre of Kandy, a mango juice from the Queens and then into the minibus off to Wariyapola.
This was to be the first host to take all members of the team. After a hot sticky day travelling we could not believe our luck; not only a beautiful house but also a pool. We even stayed in during a thunderstorm it was so welcoming!
We had heard about this place from the Indian team and we were not disappointed. Jayantha and Asanthi were wonderful hosts.
Day 20
Have you ever wondered where Kershew nuts come from... (just an aside).
We travelled out to Yapahuwa to the rock fortress which is also called the Fire Rock. This dated back over 2500 years and was really quite impressive.
The stairs were very steep 75-80 degrees. Jim found it really difficult coming down with his fear of heights 
but Dan and John made it right to the top.
one of the lions at the top of the staircase appears on the Rs10 note.
This three day break gave us a chance to recharge and for that we were eternally grateful. The programme was flexible and the Rotary meeting was held at their house.
Yes it is fair to say that the Rotary meeting was different as marquees arrived and outside caterers and even a disco. We did the presentation and then what an evening of fellowship with "last man standing our illustrious leader Jim dancing until the early hours.
Day 21
An early start and we were heading for the coast to Kalpitiya and Chilaw. This was at the end of a 40 km spit north of Colombo and known for its whales, dolphins and reefs. Whilst travelling along the spit one saw the freshwaterlagoon on one side where the muslim community fished and on the other the salt flats (industrially "mined") and the salt water ocean fished by the huge Catholic population. The spit was so narrow there were many points where you could see both sides. The fisherman's houses were all made from palm. It was amazing.
Our destination was Sethawadiya Dolphin Veiw Eco Lodge. A wonderful beach fronted restaurant with basic lodges for rent. Gill immediately fell in love with this place imaging just how much they would like to return.
Unfortunately we had missed the dolphins they had passed at 6am (approximately 600 of them!)..even so setting off at around 3am might not have been an option.
Jayantha however arranged for us to go out on a fishing boat and see the coral reef. We waited until around 4pm when it was cooler!! Arriving back to a beautiful sunset.
On our return we stopped off for a meal. We had all really benefited not only for the rest but also spending the time together. Just how much better could this trip get?
Unlike the UK the Interact (14-18) and (18-30) are prolific in many of the Clubs in Sri Lanka. Kandy has 26 Interact Clubs and 16 Rotoract Clubs. This is quite remarkable! Schools are invited to set up these clubs and a Rotarian will be given the task of oversight and work closely with the staff. If only this could happen in the UK!
The team went to the Botanical Gardens to experience the beautiful flora, fauna, bird life and...fruit bats...hundreds of fruit bats...
Flags were hoisted and the chilldren sang the national anthem with real conviction. Proud to be Sri Lankan.
It was a very proud moment and Jim felt privileged to be there; yet had not been involved the project at all.
Again the extensive use of matching grants from the Rotary Foundation had facilitated this work.
Jim was taken to a rural Sri Lankan dwelling where he was introduced to the custom where a glass of water is passed around the guests; you would think to share but no it was just to touch the glass! By this act you had accepted the invitation to take food and drink with your hosts.
But first a group photo followed by one of our versions of the presentation. And yes this did yet again include the three legs of Man!
At the end we presented President Ayesha with the cash for the sick room. As part of the meeting each of the political candidates had been invited for a hustings. This seemed at first contary to normal practice as Rotary is a non political organisation; but it was obvious that in order for Rotary to get permission to do what it does the two must work together. It was run exceptionally well. Jim was introduced to Dr Sarath Amunugama; one of the top politicians in the country..jpg)
The first thing that strikes you about this area is the Scottish connection; and then the beautiful green lush countryside. 
As we got closer there were tea bushes everywhere totally carpeting the landscape. 
The tour followed and we began to see how and why there were so many teas from one tea bush. 
it was in the rolling, drying and processing.
The weather was just like Manchester on an average day and true to form it started to rain but it was a great deal cooler. Interestingly enough our hosts thought we would be very comfortable in this climate...How wrong could they be!
Not very old at all!
and saw the tea pickers arrive at the end of their shift with the large bags of tea leaves. They had been out all day in the fields... once amazed by the manufacture of the humble tea bag; when you see the whole process end to end one should never rush a good cuppa! 
Dan and John were nearer to Kandy centre but the accommodation was excellent.
This significant Buddhist Temple the most important in Sri Lanka and beyond is the resting place of Buddha's tooth smuggled into the country
. This famous artist depiction adorns many of the temples.
For the rest of the trip Gill often referred to the time when she picked up one of the little ones and just wanted to take her home. No photos were taken inside for confidentiality reasons but what an experience.
The school, D S Senanayake School had a primary section of approximately 520 pupils with very poor toilet facilities, ( only four squat toilets). 
The new block provided six new cubicules and a staff toilet.
During the visit it became apparent that the school needed a sick room for the children. The room was available but needed to be kitted out with a bed, curtains , a fan, medical supplies, some paint for the walls and other items. The project was later put to the team who unanimously decided to fund the project themselves as a "thank you" for the wonderful hospitality being given. Ayesha and Jim then moved on to the Centre for Handicapped where 15 artificicial limbs were being donated to members of the army discharged mainly due to landmine injuries. 
The army does initially supply one fitted limb but these are not really up to the same standard. From there a third presentation was made through the equivalent of the "The Friends of Discharged Soldiers" of 10 toilet systems to enable disabled soldiers to return home as these replaced the sqat facilities which could not be used because of their injuries. 
The scale of the work done by this club was astounding as with the other Clubs we had visited the scale of the projects was facilitated by the extensive use of matching grants given by Rotary Foundation as Kandy linked up with Rotary Clubs around the world.
The access road was almost non exisitant and the final part of the journey was driving over rocks! Gill and Michelle experienced this journey twice a day.
This was very new to Jim!
The team really relaxed and was pleased that the shop sold citronella balm!
and then said goodbye to our hosts and headed for Kandy.
opposite the tank (lake) that dominated the centre of Kandy. 
Carl was the co-ordinator and immediately presented us with a detailed programme of the next five nights; (ex RAF what else would you expect.) Kandy had an entirely different feel to Colombo and it is really beautiful set in a steep sided valley.