From Galle on the south coast to Point Pedro at the northernmost tip on the Jaffna peninsula The route Above is my route that I’ve just highlighted in thick green ink showing the steps I’ve …
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Day 12 – Visit to WDC, the shop Sthree and Krystyna’s wonderful weaving
Women’s Development Centre (WDC) Women’s development censtaff were waiting for us when we arrived first thing in the morning to discuss the programmes they are working on and which we are supporting. Suzana and Gill …
Continue readingDay 11 – our colourful day in Manahapa Temple and pre-school with Rev. Ragama and his community
Warmest Welcome We received the warmest welcome today from Rev. Ragama and his community at Manahapa temple, Kuranagula where he, along with his community, began their Sinhalese and Tamil new year celebrations. We were presented …
Continue readingDay 10 – a magnificent breakfast visitor, the tranquil spice garden and meeting up with Suzana
During breakfast this morning a very large Elephant sauntered past just a few meters away which created a bit of stir amongst the hotel guests. Gill managed to catch him on video. On our way from Habarana …
Continue readingBlog 9 – Sigiriya summit by sunrise and Suzana’s volunteering
Alarm set for 4am today so we could climb Sigiriya Rock in time for the 6.05 sunrise. I wrote a blog last year with a brief history of Sigiriya when doing this with Kiran so I …
Continue readingDay 7 – To Trincomolee via Kokkalai lagoon and sanctuary
Fundraising and trek update The best news today is that I’ve now completed my planned trek across Sri Lanka, achieved over three trips since Easter 2022. I’ve raised over £27,000 so far, with the support …
Continue readingBlog 4 – Elephant Pass
We learnt only this morning that the place we’ve been staying for the past three nights, Fox Resort Jaffna, was used as the headquarters for the (LTTE) Tamil Tigers’ Commander during the Sri Lankan Civil …
Continue readingDay 3 – Kayts Island
Kayts, Leiden or Velanai depending on whether you’re British, Dutch or Tamil, is one of the islands off Jaffna’s mainland that you get to by driving or cycling over a 21km causeway, or in our …
Continue readingDAY 2 – Around Jaffna
A breakfast of hoppers and coconut samba! Then a drive out to Point Pedro, named by the Portuguese during their rule at the early part of the 17th Century, and the northernmost point of Sri …
Continue readingLess than 6 weeks to go blog:)
Projects Update Since my last last blog 6 weeks’ ago Kate Gale has been to Sri Lanka, volunteered in a village school in Kurunegala doing amazing stuff helping to make a difference to the Manapaha …
Continue reading12 Weeks to go . . .
Funding update Just 12 weeks to go before I set off on my third and final leg of trekking from the south to the northern tip of Sri Lanka. I’ve currently raised £25,000 of my …
Continue readingMore exciting connections – Nov ‘23 update
One of the great raffle prizes for 24 November – Electric Storm Flights now booked for next March for the final stage of my and Gill’s trek across Sri Lanka. £23,363 (77%) of my £30k …
Continue readingI can see clearly now . . . September 2023 Update
I can see clearly now . . . The many hundreds of pairs of spectacles I had shipped out in April this year arrived just a couple of months ago at Colombo Shipping Port. They …
Continue readingAugust 2023 update
The 10th anniversary of the passing of Pearl Stephen The 31st July this year was the anniversary of the death of Pearl Stephen who was my inspiration for returning to Sri Lanka to volunteer following …
Continue readingJune 2023 update
Fundraising Update On 4th June our road’s open-garden fundraiser raised almost £1300! This was a super amazing achievement and almost twice as much as last year with generous donations from those who visited the 5 …
Continue readingMay 2023 update – fundraising and impact
Fundraising After being back for a month from our epic trek from central to north east Sri Lanka, this is an update on some of the outcomes: Impact Suba, teacher in Kirimetiya, distributing the books …
Continue readingBlog 15 (Final Blog) – To a remote village in Kurunegala to celebrate the beginning of the Sinhalese new year
Welcoming Wow! Another amazing visit to a village community just outside of Kurunegala. I’ve been coming to this particular village since 2015 and the experience is always so warm, welcoming and colourful. It’s lovely to …
Continue readingBlog 14 – The Temple of the Tooth Relic
The history The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, also known as Sri Dalada Maligawa, is considered to be the most important Buddhist temple in Sri Lanka. It’s also one of the most famous in the …
Continue readingBlog 13 – Our visit to a Spice Garden in Matale
On our drive back from Trincomolee to Kandy we were treated to a stop off at Matale spice garden. It was like walking into a mini paradise which included us having a face massage with …
Continue readingBlog 12 – A relaxing day on Niraveli beach
Niraveli is just north of Trincomolee and where we’re staying for 2 nights to conclude our trek across Sri Lanka. Niraveli is popular for whale and dolphin watching as well as snorkelling and diving. Pigeon …
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