Today I was determined to relax… ha I do realise that sounds like a a contradiction.

When in Zambia we adjust to TIA (Time in Africa)… where “some 5 mins” basically mean I will come a sometime. Sri Lanka seems to run on a similar tone concept. It’s time to embrace the relaxed, friendly, time lax way with smile.

After a late yummy first Sri Lankan breakfast we jumped in a surprising prompt van to take us to Galle.

Our driver offered to take us to a herb garden…. And although we have done many before (Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Zanzibar to name a few 😂) it seemed a good half way stop and we have actually really enjoyed most in the past).

This one grew medicines, which made it actually quite fun. The husband had a patch of his left hair removed by one plant, BBBoy had his teeth cleaned by another, while Boy Blue decided to eat the whole cinnamon stick he was supposed to lick. I also managed to get a facial with some anti aging cream and a back massage with some oil good for old peoples aches and pains… should I be offended?!? 😂😂

Now feeling and looking ?!? 20 years younger we excitedly headed of to Galle. My parents love the place and the lonely plant couldn’t speak higher of it.

Our driver dropped us off for 3 hours which we hoped was gonna be enough time given Middle Man’s impediment.

Again hungry our first priority wasn’t looking at the ancient fort😂. Instead we found a gorgeous courtyard restaurant offering surprisingly healthy options and settled down for a relaxing lunch.

Tummy full we set off to explore the fort and its quaint streets full of stunning colonial buildings. BBBoy and Boy blue loved running up and down the fortifications, giving me multiple heart attacks as they seems obvious to the sheer drops around.

However it was boiling hot and sweaty but extra tough going for middle man. Luckily there are lots of interesting shops, cafes and buildings of interest for us to seek shade and enjoy. Think the boys favourite was the ice cream store!

Next stop is our accommodation. Our last few beach holiday have been on the luxurious side. Hotels and villas with pools and services to suit but as fabulous as they were such accommodation seems somehow removed from the host country. This time we have gone for something a little different. A beach house run by a local family of the beaten track.

Our exbrat boys slightly disappointed that there is no pool where full of questions. Questions I could not answer… Will there be wifi, what will be eat, will the beds be soft…

So just over an hour later when the highway turned to a road, to a single track road, to a dirt road, to what would be best described as a dried up river bed through tiny villages.. my anxiety over the decision grew.

We disembarked the vehicle when the road literally got too narrow and rough for it to pass. (I still don’t know how it got back out, I guess reversed a long way up the hill we had come down). We were next guided by smiling Chamath less than 100m down a path to our beach house. And wow what a location… we were right in the beach and greeted by the sounds of crashing waves and hellos from locals (who had come to watch the unusually large waves).

The house itself was simple but clean and spacious with comfy beds and much to BBBoys relief there was wifi. Our host showed us the kitchenette and how to use the fans, which were going to be on full blast as it was so hot! Outside thankfully there was a cooling breeze, searing and well kept garden with views of palms and the sea.

Yep a perfect place to unwind and get a feel of Sri Lankan life. But first it was time to feed everyone again! So much to Boy Blues delight we all squished into a tut tuk and head to Dikwella (the local town) for dinner.

Dinner was spent in our traditional holiday meal way of the he boys falling out with other over a card/board game.. This time it was Uno causing the tears when Boy Blue had to pick up 22 cards in what can only be described an incredibly unfortunate but combined vicious attack from the rest of us. Surprisingly enough though he managed to fight back and finish the game in second place behind a very smug BBBoy. If being the youngest of three brothers doesn’t teach you resilience, I don’t know what will.

Soon it was time to fall to sleep to the sounds of the crashing waves my soul had been calling for. Time to relax!