It has been a busy few months and I have not posted to Todd’s Wanderings in some time. The following few posts will help close out my experiences in 2008 before I turn my attention to the new year.
In September, Kay and I took a weekend trip down to the secluded boutique hotel the River House just south of Bentota. In October, we headed down to Galle for the city’s annual Art Festival in the old Portuguese and Dutch era fort section of town.
The common room of the main house overlooks the river and invites nature inside. The hotel has only five bedrooms for seven acres of tropical gardens. There was only one other couple staying there so we felt like we had the place to ourselves.
A view of the main house from the garden near the river.
The garden below.
We stayed in the bungalow by the river. The other four rooms are up in the main house leaving us with our own house on the water.
Our room…we managed…somehow.
We had a great veranda overlooking the water where we ate all of our meals.
Kay and I took out the two person kayak and explored the river. Luckily Kay did need to use the life jacket.
Fish traps
The lizards are huge! Monitor lizards are related to Komodo dragons, and we ran into them everywhere on the river. A 4 foot long hostile lizard with sharp claws and teeth swimming next to you tends to help put a little extra effort into your paddles at the end of day.
Two cranes.In October, we hit the road again and visited Galle for the town’s annual art festival. The festival was held in the old fort and uninhabited Portuguese and Dutch era houses were opened up as galleries for various artists. It was a great chance to take a peek inside houses that are normally closed to the public.
This beautiful old bull decided to relax in the fort as well.
A tight squeeze.
Inside a renovated building.
This Ministry, located in the fort, seems to be an expert in just about everything.
What you don’t see from the street.
A rooftop view of the fort.
My favorite exhibit was this intense color inside a completely white house. The artist, Mahen Chanmugan, adapts images of Ganesh, the Hindu god of wisdom and the Remover of Obstacles, to modern themes. A price listing can be found here.
Ganesha with fruit
We need a little peace these days.
Content with his place in the house.
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Thanks for the nice words. I would love to hear what you like most so that I can keep improving. Todd
Your blog keeps getting better and better! Your older articles are not as good as newer ones you have a lot more creativity and originality now keep it up!