03/01/2013 An Anniversary we won't forget in a hurry

Wow what an amazing anniversary!  We went with a group of teachers and students on school picnic to the island Delft. This involved a bus trip playing how many people can you pack on a small bus (we made it to 38). As we travelled long water-skimming causeways with views of fishing traps and flocks of white flamingos, the students and teachers sang Happy Anniversary to the tune of Happy Birthday. 

 We then sang “This is the day”and “Rejoice in the Lord always” and I taught the students and staff “Father I adore you”. Alex, the school principal used the travel time with some thought provoking goal setting for the New Year. We got the ferry from Kurikadduwan (KKD) to Delft. This was an unbelievable experience. It lasted for an hour and a quarter and that was 1 hour too long. Imagine a boat taking refugees to Australia, crammed with people.  

We were sitting on the deck, in the hot sun leaning on others and every large wave saw us lean against each other along the deck. Sri Lankans don’t have good stomachs (surprising with all the hot curries) so lots of people were throwing up in plastic bags. They were all very supportive of each other passing around sick bags and a vial of incense. The men sitting on the side were holding each other so they didn’t fall in. One took his life jacket off and gave it to Emma. She could probably swim better than him. Emma curled up in my legs and tried to sleep. Sarah was only a metre away with other students but I couldn’t see her. Another lady teacher was keeping an eye in her. Andrew was at the other end of the boat as therewas no room left on the deck where we were. He had more room with his feet in the hold near the engine but he got the diesel fumes. I only got sick of sitting so cramped in the last few mins. The kids were fantastic. Luckily on the trip back we caught the humedica ambulance ferry back which was comfortable and quicker.

We thought Jaffna was poor but it is luxurious compared to Delft. We were given a tour of the sights of Delft by the Church of South India and the Assembly of God church. 

The mail system before the recent introduction of a phone tower was with doves used like carrier pigeons.




  There was also an amazing dutch fort ruin circa 1540.  

 These wonderful people were so generous with their time and efforts. They prepared a beautiful meal we shared. 

 Delft is crisscrossed with coral-rock walls which gave the over all impression of a maze. We visited a nice beach where we had a paddle in the waves. Sarah and the male students did a bit of body surfing. The trip was an eye opener for everyone. 

We also visited an area called Cobra rock. The local Hindu belief is that the rock is growing, so they have built a shrine near it.

It was a very long day, completely unlike anything we have experience before and we were thrilled to visit such a remote and little-visited corner of Sri Lanka with the teachers and students on our anniversary.

ps can't take credit for the photo's (thanks google) and also why there are none of us in them. Camera broke and we have to try to get a new one. 

We will keep in touch. School starts on Monday.

Lots of luv from the Garty's