Saturday 24th February 2024

I was up early this morning in order to get my last lot of washing done, as it was a beautiful sunny morning, which meant I got everything washed, dried, and ironed very quickly, whilst at the same time starting the task of clearing my room for the last time. This involved a big sort out of all my stuff, as I have accumulated quite a bit over the past couple of years. It felt very sad taking down all the things in my room that have made me feel very at home in it.

I got as much done as I could before heading off into Nuwara Eliya, where there was a farewell lunch at Milano's. Sutharshan, Jesmin and their daughter Adhira were already there when I arrived, then Yas and Hadeeqa, Yad and Jana, and Miggy joined us. It's a great place to eat, as the food is always good, and I enjoyed a final chat with this lovely team of people over some Singapore fried noodles, before heading off into Nuwara Eliya for one last look around.

You will not be surprised that I ended up at The Grand Hotel, to say a final goodbye to the people I know there, particularly Kamal Raj and Sajeevan, who have become good friends since I first met them back in 2019, almost 5 years ago now. I have spent far less time at The Grand Hotel this time round, partly because I have had a fair bit of time away from Nuwara Eliya, but also because prices have more than doubled here in just a few months.

I was back in Blackpool early evening for a final sort out of what I am taking home, what I am leaving here in Sri Lanka, and what I am just giving away in an effort to lighten the load as I travel back across the world to the UK. My room seemed very empty this evening, and not like my room at all, which is good really, as I will find it easier to leave it behind now that it has become so de-personalised. Just one more day tomorrow, and I will be making my way to Colombo.

I didn't take any photographs today, so I have just picked a few from the hundreds of photographs I have accumulated over the years - a folder for each visit - with today's photos all being taken from my first visit to Sri Lanka in 2019. I have always tried very hard to cull them, but there are still so many, and I don't mind because they all bring back such fabulous memories of my time in Sri Lanka.












Comments

  1. CharlesFebruary 25, 2024 at 2:13 AM

    Best wishes, Keith, as you embark on your return journey sometime later today (or tomorrow?).
    I have to say I still love the photo of you as the tea picker - all these years on!

    ReplyDelete

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