Kandy - Day 3

 We were awake way before the kids so headed for a walk around the lake . Thanks to the holidays the lack of traffic and the blossoming flowers made it a fabulous walk ( as per Jeevan the bits we did thanks to all the photos I wanted to stop and take ). 

Went to spend time with Jeevan’s other brother and his family . The kids loved their time with the cousins . Quick stop at an aunt’s house before walking to the lake for the kids to eat their favourite food in SL - spicy mango . Bubble tea has made its way to Kandy which was a perfect complement to the spicy mango . 

School started today so the evening was spent starting the homeschool process again ( for once I did not want the school holidays to end !) 

Awurudu

 Suba Aluth Awuruddak Wewa

Happy Sinhala New Year

Late rise after all the excitement of yesterday. Most of the morning was spent playing board games and Aanya playing with Olaf , the rabbit .

We then headed to KCC ,the children have very fond memories of the city centre for all the popsicles they ate last time . After lunch and roaming around they got to eat the popsicles. I was absolutely enamoured by the beautiful pink flowers blooming all around the lake , lots of photos were taken .

Rest of the day was spent relaxing, perfect start to the year ahead .

Sri Lanka - Kandy

 Arrived in Sri Lanka in perfect time for Awurudu . It’s the kids and my first time being here for it . 

The morning started with checking all the food that has been prepared , very lucky to have a sister in law who is in an amazing cook. The auspicious time was set at 11.06pm for boiling of the milk and time to eat an hour after that . No food to be eaten from 2.45 pm, Aanya started clutching her tummy just with the thought of it ( luckily the kids could have a few things). After lunch we headed to the temple to give thanks for year past and to gain blessings for the year ahead . 

Then it was time for fireworks, it was the kids first time lighting rockets and chakras . We didn’t have very noisy ones to to keep it safe for the pet, Olaf ( the rabbit that Aanya is obsessed with at present ). 

We then changed and got ready in our new clothes ( thanks to Jeevan’s family we were all in the appropriate colours and traditional wear ). The fire was lit at the right time and milk boiled till it spilt over . An hour to finish cooking  and setting up the table before finally getting to eat . We then touch the elder’s feet to get blessings . Aanya being the youngest was initially unhappy to think that she had to touch everyone’s feet but no one would touch hers , once explained that she was getting the most blessings she became happier with her position .

Blessed to be here and grateful for all that we have . 

Holi & Darbhanga

  

 

 The last month in India has been spent relaxing with my family. It’s been wonderful to see the kids enjoying all the things (and more) I did during my childhood.

We celebrated Holi in Delhi before heading to Darbhanga. It’s always been my favourite festival and it was even more enjoyable for the kids with their cousins. We were all pink, red, blue, green and purple. The colony had a celebration in the park which we joined in after our own celebrations. There was a tug of war, dance competitions and even more colour to play with, Savik face planted into the pink mound, even his eyelashes were pink. 

Surprisingly it all washed off, no longer do you stay a shade of purple for a week . 

My father was in hospital for a week and then we headed to Darbhanga for the rest of the trip to give him a change of scenery.

Aanya got her wish of having a Bollywood dance teacher for private lessons. Savik spent most of his evenings on skates with his cousin. He also played a lot of table tennis and pool. We camped in the playhouse one night, kids very excited to see sunrise (which we all slept through !!).  

They got to see Turkey babies hatch , play with the dogs, have Hindi lessons and be pampered by everyone. There were a few tears when we were leaving but grateful for all the memories they made .

 4 months of being away from home, so fortunate to be able to spend time with my father while he has been unwell and for all the adventures we have had so far .