Friday 2nd January 2026

I had a very full day today that I haven't got time or space to cover all of here, but it started with a very traditional Sri Lankan breakfast of roti, daal, and sambal, with milk tea and one of the small bananas that you get out here. One of the many delights of Sri Lanka is the food, which I have been lucky enough to enjoy on a regular basis over the past 7 years now. There are many great reasons to visit Sri Lanka, and the food is certainly one of them!

I went by tuk-tuk to Maskeliya later on this morning in order to deliver a gift to a certain Mr. Rizvi from one of my fellow Rotarians at Bathavon Rotary Club. I struggled to get hold of him to begin with, as he is a Muslim and was attending Jumu'ah (Friday prayers), so I had a lovely stroll around Maskeliya, popping in to see Babu the tailor, but not for long, as he is also a Muslim, and was off to the mosque himself, so I promised to come back again when I return to Maskeliya.

Mr. Rizvi, and his son Mahdhi, joined me at the delightfully named Butterly Mountain Lake Side, where I was enjoying a pot of tea, although he didn't even have time for a cuppa, as he had a teaching commitment that he was rushing off to, so I will catch up with him properly tomorrow, when he is going to come to see me at Daya's home, after yet another teaching commitment. At least I was able to pass on my friend's best wishes and his gift for him.

On my return to Norwood, there was much excitement, as a large group of local lads had gathered together to cook an enormous chicken biryani in a huge pan on an open fire they had constructed. A large table was brought out and covered with huge banana leaves, with the biryani then being emptied out onto them, so that everyone could tuck into what was a delicious meal. There was a wonderful community atmosphere, with a lot of laughter and general merriment.

Today's photos show my delicious breakfast, my stroll around Maskeliya, including one of Babu the tailor, my brief meeting with Mr. Rizvi, and the biryani feast on my return to Norwood.













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