Tag Archives: Balapitiya

Poikien retkiä osa 2

Poikien retkeily jatkui Balapitiyassa samalla linjalla kuin pari ensimmäistäkin viikkoa. Aika monta kertaa käytiin rannalla, vaikka usein tosin uimisen sijaan vaan leikittiin hiekalla. Ihan ok sekin. Temppeleitä kierrettiin taas monta. Kivoimmat oli ehkä ihan lähellä olleet kylätemppelit, joissa sai oikeastaan olla ihan keskenään vain. Monta kertaa on käytiin vähän matkan päässä olevassa uudessa leikkipuistossa. Joskus siellä oli myös joitain muitakin 🙂 Loppuaikana tehtiin retkiä myös pyörällä, jonka sai lainaan majapaikasta. Sen kanssa saatiin sitten herätettyä vielä enempi ihmetystä, kun Mikko oli pyörän selässä ja Eero Mikon selässä repussa. Ei varmaan ole ihan hirveän montaa sellaista tullut vastaan noilla teillä. Tosi monesti sai siten myös morjenstaa ohikulkijoita.

Eero taking in the beach life

Eero taking in the beach life

Father-son time while sitting on a rock

Father-son time while sitting on a rock

A gang of local boys came hanging with us at the rock pool. Later they gave us a coconut too to drink. Some of them had apparently climbed to fetch them from a nearby tree.

A bunch of local boys came hanging with us at the rock pool. Later they gave us a coconut to drink. Some of them had apparently climbed to fetch it from a nearby tree.

Punk is not dead... even in Sri Lanka

Punk is not dead… even in Sri Lanka

One day we got stuck across the street in front of our house, bacause there came passing by a long, long convoy of vehicles all advocating the upcoming elections and the running president

One day we got stuck across the street in front of our house, because of a long, long convoy of vehicles all advocating the upcoming elections and the current president

This stupa (or "tupa" as Eero calls it) was too big to fit in one frame

This stupa (or “tupa” as Eero calls it) was too big to fit in one frame

This local temple did have magnificent wood carvings inside and we had it all just for ourself

This local temple had magnificent wood carvings inside and we had it all just for ourselves

A cobra buddha at the local temple

A cobra-hooded Buddha at the local temple

Another fine stupa encountered during our adevntures

Another fine stupa encountered on one of our adeventures

A bit further off we came onto this temple which had a huge tree inside it

A bit further off we came across this temple which had a huge tree inside it

On one occasion we saw some school boys playing cricket

On one occasion we saw some school boys playing cricket

All kinds of transportations we saw on our journeys

All kinds of transportation arrangements we saw on our journeys

Bye-bye! Just about to leave for another bike ride around.

Bye-bye! Just about to leave for another bike ride around.

The carrying backpack is so comfortable that it creates quite an amount of drowsiness.

The carrying backpack is so comfortable that it creates quite a lot of drowsiness.

On our walk-about, we were lured into some peoples yard to drink some coconut. Naturally we then had to pay for it, though, it was fun to watch this boy climb up there quite hazardously to fetch the coconut. Sadly, he had to try three times to have one land undamaged. Unfortunately Eero missed to whole thing as he was just sleeping.

On our walk-about, we were lured into some people’s yard to drink some coconut. Naturally we then had to pay for it, though. It was fun to watch this boy climb up there, quite hazardously, to fetch the coconut. Sadly, he had to try three times to have one land undamaged. Unfortunately Eero missed to whole thing as he was just sleeping.

Toilet break?

Toilet break?

Having an ice cream break was perhaps that days high point

Having an ice cream break was perhaps the high point that day

Eero does have some trouble understanding how the slides work

Eero has some trouble understanding how the slides work

Having fun at the swing

Having fun at the swing

Most times Eero has not been too keen to be held by strangers. This time it was tolerated.

Most of the time Eero has not been too keen to be held by strangers. This time it was tolerated.

One day the rock pool had almost vanished. The rough sea though did bring some new water in.

One day the rock pool had almost vanished. The rough sea however brought some new water in.

Just another day at the rock pool.

Just another day at the rock pool.

En garde!

En garde!

Spot Eero!

Spot Eero!

That's where we came...

That’s where we came from…

...and that's where we're headed at

…and that’s where we’re headed to

Roti’n’Roll part 2

Toiset pari viikkoa Ceylonin saarella pitivät meidät myös niin sanotusti leivässä. Vaihtelua oli nyt laadun suhteen enempi, kun tällä pätkällä taisi tulla sekä reissun huonoimpiin ja parhaimpiin kuuluvia sapuskoja. Ei sillä etteikö oltais kuitenkin syöty taas lautasta tyhjäksi. Lukekaa kuvatekstit 🙂

Second fortnight in the island of Ceylon and still being well nourished. Though the quality did vary a lot. Read the captions 🙂

Surprisingly good Pasta Arrabiata, interesting beetroot & orange salad and pretty basic veg wok at the Heritage Cafe in Galle.

Surprisingly good Pasta Arrabiata, interesting beetroot & orange salad and pretty basic veg wok at the Heritage Cafe in Galle.

Rocket Burger in Galle was a good spot for something different. The mac&cheese balls (at the back) where super good and super filling. Highly recommended.

Rocket Burger in Galle was a good spot for something different. The mac&cheese balls (at the back) where super good and super filling. Highly recommended.

Sri Lankan breakfast - string hoppers, veg curry and spicy coconut

Sri Lankan breakfast – string hoppers, veg curry and spicy coconut

Mixed breakfast: Western sandwhiches and Sri Lankan kiribath with seeni sambol. Kiribath became our favourite since also Eero did like it. It is almost porridge like red rice.

Mixed breakfast: Western sandwhiches and Sri Lankan kiribath with seeni sambol. Kiribath became our favourite since also Eero did like it. It is almost porridge like red rice.

Got fresh eggs? These ones are still in the nest :)

Got fresh eggs? These ones are still in the nest 🙂

Tasting the local alcohol Arrack can easily be ticked off from your list with a few home made drinks. Cheers!

Tasting the local alcohol Arrack can easily be ticked off from your list with a few home made drinks. Cheers!

Perhaps the low point of the trip: egg curry which was just boiled eggs in a sauce. At this point were very close to not ordering any food from the villa again. However, the fresh fruit juices have definitely been the best ones we've had during the trip.

Perhaps the low point of the trip: egg curry which was just boiled eggs in a sauce. At this point were very close to not ordering any food from the villa again. However, the fresh fruit juices have definitely been the best ones we’ve had during the trip.

The food at the villa improved significantly when we got the brinjal - or as locally know "wombotu" - which just melted in one's mouth. Also we had for the first time "polo" or jackfruit curry which had a surprising texture resembling that of mushrooms. Good, though quite meaty taste.

The food at the villa improved significantly when we got the brinjal – or as locally know “wombotu” – which just melted in one’s mouth. Also we had for the first time “polo” or jackfruit curry which had a surprising texture resembling that of mushrooms. Good, though quite meaty taste.

Our last meal at Balapitiya. We ordered the excellent "wombotu" again and cashew & green pea curry with a truly generous amount of cashews.

Our last meal at Balapitiya. We ordered the excellent “wombotu” again and cashew & green pea curry with a truly generous amount of cashews.

Vadai bits ready for some serious munchin' action. Always remember to ask for the superb fried chillies on the side.

Vadai bits ready for some serious munchin’ action. Always remember to ask for the superb fried chillies on the side.

This is how you prepare the vadai bits.

This is how you prepare the vadai bits.

One evening we made pizzas with a local twist. These had some masala topping and frozen mozzarella which is perhaps one of the funkiest-tasting cheeses we've ever had. Worked out OK when melted, though.

One evening we made pizzas with a local twist. These had some masala topping and frozen mozzarella which is perhaps one of the funkiest-tasting cheeses we’ve ever had. Worked out OK when melted, though.

At the nearby tourist spot Hikkaduwa we tried some kankun (on the foreground) which is basically a different kind spinach. Also this place served some tofu (at the back) which is surprisingly rare in these parts of the world.

At the nearby tourist spot Hikkaduwa we tried some kankun (on the foreground) which is basically a different kind spinach. Also this place served some tofu (at the back) which is surprisingly rare in these parts of the world.

Balapitiya is famous for prawns, so it was a perfect place to try out some jumbo sized ones. Good, but tasted pretty much the same as the smaller ones. Only there was more of it.

Balapitiya is famous for prawns, so it was a perfect place to try out some jumbo sized ones. Good, but tasted pretty much the same as the smaller ones. Only there was more of it.

Near-beach life in Balapitiya

Viimeiset puolitoista viikkoa ollaan oltu Balapitiyassa rantapaikassa nro 2. Pian siirrytään taas eteenpäin, joten on korkea aika esitellä tämänhetkistä lähiympäristöä.

Our villa in Balapitiya

Our villa in Balapitiya

Working in a hammock prevents stress

Working in a hammock prevents stress

Asustellaan pikku huvilassa, jonne ei tällä kertaa kantaudu meren vaan liikenteen kohina. Meidän ja rannan välissä on nimittäin vilkkaasti liikennöity Galle Road, jota pitkin kaikki paikallisliikenne täällä päin sujuu. Toisaalta ranta on parempi kuin Mirissassa. You lose some, you win some, siis.

Familiar-looking beach lions

Familiar-looking beach lions

Balapitiya sunset

Balapitiya sunset

The weirdly yellow glow right after sunset

The weirdly yellow glow right after sunset

Poispäin rannan ja tien suunnalta on puutarha, jossa kasvaa kookospalmuja ynnä muuta puskaa. Puiden taakse kätkeytyy isompi talo, jossa asuu paikan omistaja Nalinda ja jossa sijaitsee vielä toinen vuokrattava asunto.

The old and the young master checking the estate

The old and the young master checking the estate

Coconut inspection

Coconut inspection

Päätalolla päivystää myös “villa boy” Duminda, joka siivoaa huvilan muutaman päivän välein, tuo meille aamiaista ja erikseen tilattaessa illallista, ja yrittää opettaa Eerolle sinhalaa. Siivouksen yhteydessä Duminda on harrastanut pyyhe- ja kukka-asetelmataidetta. Aika valloittava tyyppi kaikkiaan.

Towel art by Duminda the villa boy

Towel art by Duminda the villa boy

Eero destroying Duminda's decorations

Eero destroying Duminda’s decorations

Eero and Duminde, our villa boy, who does all kinds of little things around the house and the yard

Eero and Duminde, our villa boy, who does all kinds of little things around the house and the yard

Asunto on vähän edellistä Eero-turvallisempi, koska täältä puuttuu portaat. Toisaalta kuistia kiertää pieni vallihauta kaloineen. Sen kanssa on ollut jokunen melkein-molskahdus, mutta enempi vallihaudalla on ollut viihdearvoa kun Eero on kurkkinut kaloja ja heitellyt pohjaan kiviä.

Peeking at the little fishes

Peeking at the little fishes

Vroom vroom

Vroom vroom

Smile when you're swinging

Smile when you’re swinging

Cocktail hour

Cocktail hour

Pihalla pääsee välillä ihmettelemään erilaisia luonnon ihmeitä, kuten lehmiä, koiria, kissoja, liskoja ja lintuja. Sekä putoilevia kookospähkinöitä.

A couple of cows came to say hi (or mooo)

A couple of cows came to say hi (or mooo)

Incy wincy spider

Incy wincy spider

The resident monitor lizard

The resident monitor lizard

A kingfisher in a papaya tree

A kingfisher in a papaya tree

Varsinaisesta uima-allasluksuksesta ei saada täällä nauttia. Rannassa sen sijaan on “rock pool” eli pieni luonnon muovaama kahluuallas, joka on parhaimmillaan saanut Eerolta riemunkiljahtelua, huonompana päivänä sitten vähän vaisumman vastaanoton.

The rock pool on the beach is perfect for splashing in

The rock pool on the beach is perfect for splashing in

Nukkumajärjestelyitä jouduttiin vähän innovoimaan, kun ei ole pinnasänkyä ja sänkyjen korkeus on vähän turhan tapaturma-altis. Master bedroomin seinään rakennettu hylly + kaupungilta löydetty matkapatja + kotoa tuotu hyttysverkko = Eeron uniluola. Se on uponnut kohderyhmään kuin häkä, pitää kotiinkin kehitellä jotain samanlaista.

The sleeping cave, very much approved and highly recommended by Eero

The sleeping cave, very much approved and highly recommended by Eero

At the moment, we are staying in a villa near the beach in Balapitiya. The Galle Road runs between us and the beach, but once there, the beach is very nice indeed. Our verandah overlooks a garden full of palm trees etc. where you can spot various animals and insects.