The Team's First Hour Together

John blogs ...

Colombo Museum

9.30 meet at Lanka Hands to join Muba for our first cultural day. Visiting the Colombo Museum with many interesting stone carving and silver jewelry. Sri Lanka is certainly rich in history from the ancient Kings through to present day via the Portuguese, the Dutch and the British periods.

 Then on to visit Gangarama – a very fine example of a Buddhist temple. Were greeted by an elephant which was chained up a bit too tightly for our Western sensitivities and were pleased to see that the chain had been relaxed a little when we returned. A wonderful collection of Buddhas in sitting, reclining or standing positions, offerings of oil and many smart children who obviously go to study there. An interesting contract with the formality of the British-inspired collection of the Museum.



At Gangarama Temple, Colombo



Plans to go swimming went awry as the pool closed at 2.00, but enjoyed a meal at the Otter Swimming Club with Moba. Thanks, for your kind hospitality. Then to the Galle Face Hotel for our first hour to meet together since we arrived. Certainly worth other teams to build in regular team meetings into the schedule at an early stage of creating the itinerary. We’re able to map out our District Conference presentation taking on board a variety of feedback we’ve received so far. A cool beer and warm sea breezes are a good combination. I realise I haven’t said much about the weather … we’ve had occasional heavy rain, a few warm showers and about 1 hour (yes, only 1 hour!!!) of sunshine since we’ve been here. Very unseasonable weather and unlikely to get much better. Pity.



Home for a freshen up, a short rest and catch up on diary/emails then meal prepared, then grace from Ari, then Sushila who happily served whilst Ari and I ate string hoppers, fish curry, chicken curry, papaya, banana and sweet, milky tea. An informative conversation about the history of the Gideons, then to my room to pack, Skype and catch up on the blog which is so far behind as to be embarrassing. Anyway, readers may be pleased to know that all entries have now been caught up during the long trip from Colombo to Kandy via Pinnawela. But that’s a journey to describe on the next blog.



Sri Lankan quisine at hosts, Ari and Suishila





To bed, but only sleep fitfully. Looking forward to the elephants and Kandy tomorrow.