This November I'm thankful for...

....so many things. So why not show it? I'll be doing a month of what I'm thankful for - in pictures. I'll post the pix daily on my FB page (apesadventures), and at the end of each week I'll post the pix in a blog post. Hope you enjoy the photos! I'll start it off with my first day here:

November 1 - I'm thankful for all the people I've been able to add to my world...from all different countries. Here are some of the ones that are part of my family here in Vietnam...at a new burger shop opening: American, Irish, English, Australian, Vietnamese.

Xin Chao,
Apes :)

Home-Made Coffee Creamer - COCONUT FLAVORED!

I'm trying to take out as much dairy from my diet as I can (since we don't digest it as quickly as other foods and I'm partially lactose-intolerant), and the hardest part is milk in my coffee. But today, I have fixed that problem. I made my own coconut coffee creamer. AND IT IS DELICIOUS!

Try it yourself:

Coconut Milk Coffee Creamer Recipe

Total Time: 2 minutes

 

Serves: 4-8

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 can coconut milk
• 1-2 tbsp vanilla extract
• 2 tbsp coconut oil, melted
• Honey or vanilla stevia to taste
• Sea salt to taste, optional

DIRECTIONS:

1. Combine all ingredients in a blender and mix until well combined. Use in coffee as desired.

I didn't add the sea salt - but I don't find that to be a problem. I've kept the rest in the fridge so I can have it ready for whenever I have coffee.

Enjoy!

Xin Chao,
Apes

Color Me Run - Hanoi

Yup, you read that right. Hanoi has a Color Me Run - AND I RAN IN IT!

Now, when I go to a race, I go to RUN. That however, was not the case for the rest of Hanoi. Let me tell you what happened.

My running crew and I get geared up and head to the course (it was a mid-day race). Once there, we see a FEW other foreigners in their gear, and TONS of Vietnamese in their Color Me Run shirts, with heels, hair/makeup done, jeans, etc. I then thought to myself "oh, they must be the spectators". Wrong again.

My Running Crew

So we line up at the starting line, but instead of starting the race: it's concert time! That's right. Instead of using our energy running, we first were supposed to jump around and learn a big group warm-up dance.

Concert Time?

After that, then we could start. We lined up, and they let us start in various groups. So once we were finally at the front and ready to go - it was running time!

Finally Lining Up

Ready to Run!

***If you've never done a color run, its a regular race but at certain intervals they throw powdered color on you, and by the end of the race you have gone from clean white to a rainbow. 

Upon the first "color spot" I saw it happening...a wall of Vietnamese people had stopped to take pictures, selfie, throw color. There was no way through. I was NOT putting up with it...I was here to RUN! So, I ran on the outside of the color spot, and kept going. I think I only ran through a total of 2 color spots - the yellow one and the red one. The rest were packed with the VN taking pix, so I ran around it.


Turns out, the race wasn't a 5k as advertised, but instead, a 3.6k. A little disappointing since I had been hoping for a 5k.

YAY WE FINISHED!

Group Shot of the Finishers!

I have never been in a race with so many walkers, photo-takers, SMOKERS, etc. It was DEF a bizarre experience. But, probably my fault for thinking it was actually be a RUN!

Xin Chao,
Apes 

A whole New world!

No, I'm not in a new country - still here in Hanoi, Vietnam. BUT - a lot of new things have happened:

1) New apartment. That's right - I've moved YET again. But this is the last move for me while in Hanoi. I've moved from an amazing shared house with amazing housemates to a single bedroom apartment. I now live beside a burrito restaurant, wine store, and mini corner shop. I'm on the top floor (5) and have a gorgeous view of Hanoi and Westlake. I've fixed it up with rugs, curtains, paintings on the wall, etc. It actually feels like a home instead of a temporary living space. 

And the best part - my new cleaner! That's right, I got to hire my own instead of having the one that "comes with the house". My friend recommended his, and she is AMAZING! She comes once a week to clean and do my laundry. She also picks up my groceries (fruit/veg) from her local market, and even cooks dinner for me on the day she comes (Thursdays). So on Thursdays I come home to a clean house, clean clothes, a stocked fridge, and dinner on the table. Yes, I am loving it. 

My Kitchen

2) New job. Well, not really. I'm still at the same learning center (ACET), but have a new title. I am not longer a "Senior Teacher" but am now a "Coordinator". Essentially, I am not a department head. I am in charge of the teenager english program. I handle the curriculum, hold presentations for parents, set up the schedule, and etc. Yup, I'm a boss. And the pay raise wasn't too bad ;)

3) New Hobby. Yup, I'm into coloring. I'm sure you have (hopefully) heard of the "Secret Garden" series of coloring books. They are very intricately designed books, and a group of girls here in Hanoi have all hopped on the bandwagon. We have started meeting up with our books and just coloring by the lake. Since I can't draw, paint, or do anything artistic, this is perfect. 

BUT - I'm also back to running! Well, kind of. I signed up for a 5k run at the end of September. MY first run was last week and it was 15 minutes...have to start somewhere, right! I haven't been on a run since due to the rain (UGH!)....I decided to start up again after about a month of doing some Personal Training at a local gym - and my trainer wants to do some races as well. So I figured, why not?!

4) New Man. Yes, this is probably what you all REALLY want to know about. I am dating an Irishman named Mark. We've been seeing each other for a few months now, and we have become an official couple. We've been on a couple holidays together already (Hoi An/Danang and a bike trip to Mai Chau). And yes, he's younger. 

Hoi An - Vietnam

Mai Chau - Vietnam

So - lots of new things happening on my end. All good things, so that is great....it should make for a great new year here in Hanoi. 

Xin Chau,

Apes

No longer Vegan or Vegetarian!

So - as you may be aware, I decided to be Vegan for a month. Then, after 2 weeks, I decided to add dairy back into my diet and just be vegetarian. Then, 2 weeks after that, I inserted meat back into my diet. So I had a whole month of no meat! How was it eating meat again, and how did I feel about that month? Let me tell ya:

Vegan - my body felt great. I wasn't working out but I still felt fit. I was eating TONS, as my body was burning off the vegetable VERY quickly. I was in good moods, and it was easy to not get stressed out. Overall - it was great. However, going out to eat limited my options. I easily found plenty of places to eat in Hanoi - but my tastebuds were getting a little tired of Tofu.

Vegetarian - once I added dairy back into my diet, I DEF felt a difference. I felt a little heavier, but still was eating a lot. I started working out again during this time, but I still didn't feel as good as I did when I was vegan.

MEAT - my first meal back into the carnivorous world was crispy pork. I was expecting a life changing event to happen in my mouth. Like, OHHH HOW I'VE MISSED PORK (or chicken/or beef). But nothing like that happened. I felt tired, and heavy. I felt mostly like "ok, I've had meat again, big deal". There was no rush for me to have another meat dish, so I felt a little disappointed. I've eaten meat again since, but it just doesn't fulfill me like it used it.

It's not been about a week since I've been back to a "normal" diet. I've come to learn that I pay much more attention to what I'm eating if there is a dietary restriction. I had figured that after I put meat back into my diet, I would be more careful about what I'm eating. But I'm not. I also find myself eating meat not because I want/need to, but mostly because it's available and easy.

What now? 

1) I've learned that keeping dairy out of my diet is the healthiest - most of us can't digest it anyways. So, I'm going to work to not have any (with the exception of yogurt, due to the healthiness of the bacteria cultures). That means no milk in my coffee, no cheese in my sandwich, no ranch on my veggies (easy enough on that one in Vietnam).

2) While I like pork, chicken, and steak (every once in a while) I don't feel as if it is super important to my diet. I am going to make a segway into being a pescatarian. I feel seafood is healthier (and MUCH more delicious). While it is easy to find in Hanoi - it is a little more expensive. But, I don't HAVE to eat it at every meal - there is plenty of veg and tofu to fulfil me otherwise. Of course - this won't happen until I finish eating all the meat in my freezer - luckily I have a boyfriend with a healthy appetite to help out with that.

So it looks as if soon I will be a Pescatarian (w/ no diary). How strange, but healthy. Of course, when I am traveling, I may need to adjust my diet accordingly.

Xin Chao,
Apes 

So I'm a Vegan...

....temporarily. That's right. This dairy and meat lover has cut both things out of her life. But NOT forever. So let's get down to when and WHY I did such a thing.

On July 7th I decided to be Vegan for a week. WHY?!?!?! Well, I have some vegan friends here in Hanoi and love eating with them. It's always an adventure of where we are gonna go and what we are gonna eat. I always let them pick the restaurants because of course I can eat anywhere, they cannot. So, I decided to see what life was like in their world.

Week 1 - week 1 was pretty exciting. I was eating at different restaurants, eating new dishes, and of course getting lots of recommendations from other vegans and vegetarians. I was told that the first week I'd be tired and cranky. Well, that got me worried because I was only going to do it for a week! So, I decided to do a month of being Vegan (or so I thought). My body felt lighter, I was sleeping well, and I was actually in a great mood instead of being tired and cranky.

1st Vegan Meal - Ba Chi Em (normal Tuesday lunch with Anna)

Was running late - so grabbed this on the way to work

Yup - DOUBLE CHOC VEGAN ICE CREAM! @ Italiano Gelato

Field of Dreams Burger @ Republic (mushroom burger minus the cheese)

Week 2 - well, the newness and excitement of trying a new thing is wearing off. I've now been to BBQ's, meat streets, etc. where I've not had any meat and dairy. My body is a little more tired this week, I think the "stored protein" has evaporated and my body isn't getting any new protein from daily meat sources. I've been eating my nuts and berries, but it's just not the same.

100k vnd ($5) Vegan Buffet @ Loving Hut

I figured the meat would be the hard part of this, as I LOVE my crispy pork, bbq chicken, and smoked duck breast. However, those things didn't really bother me too much. The hard part was dairy. I knew not having milk in my coffee, or eggs for breakfast would be hard. But I didn't realize how much dairy products add flavor to BURRITOS! Yes, that's right. I can no longer be vegan due to Mexican food. For the past 2 nights I have gone to SaltnLime (which will be my next door neighbor in about 2 weeks) and gotten a burrito, and then a burrito bowl. Of course I ordered the veggie one, with no cheese and no sour cream. My mouth kept wondering what was going on. Then it realized the travesty of what I was doing by leaving out the good parts. So it's been decided. I will end being vegan at the end of week 2. BUT I will continue on with the vegetarianism until the end of the month. I think that's a good compromise for my taste buds.

Stay tuned for how I will feel at the end of the month....and how I'll feel after my reunion with meat.

Xin Chao,
Apes

A few fun Weekends

So the last few weekends have rated pretty high up on my "fun in Vietnam" list.

2 weeks ago the housemates and I went out to an outdoor venue called Eden. It opened up last year, and everytime you go it's like a mini festival. Dj, outside dancing, food, etc. Well, when we went a few weeks ago it was just us and a whole load of backpackers. Usually I know a bunch of people from different friend groups, but not this time. And I actually think it made it more fun. It's been crazy hot here in Hanoi, but as we danced the night away and sweated our butts off, it didn't matter. We all danced until it closed...at which we went to the late night pub - Rastaman. Of course at Rastaman we ran into a lot of friends, and then before you know it, we had a group of about 20 of us wandering off to a pool, around 5am....to jump the fence and go for a swim. We were all in the pool as the sun came up, swimming around and just having a blast. Eventually the pool guys said we either had to pay to stay, or head out....but, it was a REFRESHING blast while it lasted :)

Morning Pool Time!

The next day was my first Vietnamese wedding. My friend Nathan was getting married, so we all headed to the venue around 6pm, and started in on food/drinks while we waited for him and his wife to start the procession. If you've never been to a VN wedding, you are in for a treat! There is a procession of the bride, groom, mother, and father...but THEN...there is a CAKE PARADE and CHAMPAGNE PARADE! Ahh, I DEF loved that! Then, while the happy couple is getting photos on stage, we are given more food and drink at our table. And then...its over! It's less than an hour, but of course us foreigners stayed for our own photos, more food, and plenty of drinks with the "in-laws".

Group Shot at the Wedding

If that weekend wasn't fun enough, the following weekend was ASEAN Gay Pride in Hanoi. After work a group of us headed to the festival where everyone was rainbowed out! There was live music, and the girls from the house even got backstage! Most of the house was away for the weekend, so it was a great chance for us girls to get out and have some fun.

The girls at ASEAN pride with one of the MC's (backstage!)

This weekend 2 of our friends are celebrating their last weekend before they move to Turkey, and plus it's the 4TH OF JULY! A few of us have already purchased our tickets to the 4th picnic at the American Club, so it should be full of fun.

Xin Chao,
Apes

Adventure Feet...addition

In case you haven't seen my feet in 4 years, there have been some ongoing additions to them. TATTOOS! Since living in my first foreign country (Thailand), I have been tattooing my feet in the local language. One simple word....Adventure. Of course! What else would I be putting on my feet? So far I have Thai, Myanmar, and Korean...until yesterday.

Yesterday I added the Vietnamese addition = phiêu lưu. Wanna see how it's going so far? Well, here's ya go...

Upper Left - My tattoo artist, Jack (at NinjaInk)
Upper Right - Before the addition
Lower Left - Getting it done!
Lower Right - The vietnamese addition

That's all for these feet...until my next move...

Xin Chao,
Apes :)

Quick Trip to Thailand

Over 4 years ago, I landed in the Land of Smiles (Thailand). Since then, I have traveled both Asia and Europe, and some other random countries (Australia, etc.). A LOT has happened over those 4 years, both with me AND my friends new and old. While I am currently living in Hanoi, Vietnam, I had to go on a quick VISA run back to where it all started...Thailand.

I was only in Bangkok for 2 nights, and it was busy with running errands (VISA, shopping, eating, etc). But I did get a chance to reflect on the years. 

I was dreading heading over to Thailand because it was inconvenient and the trip was made on short notice. However, I did talk to a few friends in BKK and planned to meet up with them. So, I decided to change my attitude and be more excited for a "short holiday" in BKK with some old friends instead of being annoyed by the trip. 

Once I arrived, I realized how much I had missed Thailand; the language, the people, the bright lights of the HUGE city. I always thing of Hanoi being a big city - but it is NOT. It's is a fairly smal1 city, you can drive from one end to the other in less than an hour, I'm sure. But BKK? Billboards, lights, skyscrapers, public transportation (skytrain, subway, etc), and MALLS! It was FANTASTIC!

As I walked the streets, I always was bombarded with memories from my first year: my first trip to khao sahn, meeting up with my mate from high school (Ian) for beers, girls weekend in Sukhumvit, NYE with my at-the-time-bf, BKK4EVA weekend with the Myanmar crew, and so many more. 

One of my friends I caught up with (Tigger) was one of the teachers when I lived down in Surat Thani...so a friend from my very first year of living abroad. My friend that I was staying with (Luke) is a friend from Hanoi, so from my most current year. It was a full circle it felt like. I was chatting with Tigger - from when I was still fresh-faced and unjaded, and then hung out with Luke - from my current time, knowing the lay of the land, with a few jobs and many countries of experiences under my belt. 

It was interesting to feel the change when I met up with these guys, from brand new to seasoned. I am happy about how things have turned out - especially in the fact of being able to keep my friendships with those I've met abroad. 

I've been so bad at blogging, but I'm hoping to change that. Summer is coming, and I my goal is going to be to do a post a week....so let's hope that happens! I need to get a new battery for my laptop and then I can actually take my laptop someone to post my adventures. But, that's a tomorrow problem.

Xin Chao,

Apes 

I chose this life...I should've prepared.

When I first decided to leave the US and travel/teach abroad, I knew I would miss big life events. Birthdays, graduations, engagements, weddings, births. I was mildly prepared for it. I had a mental short list of "if so-and-so" gets married, I would make sure I could make it back. Of course, my short list of people DID get married, and I did miss it. It just wasn't financially feesible for me to travel to the other side of the world for a weekend to watch 2 soul mates tie the knot. There are photographers at the event for a reason, and when I would visit home again, I would get to see them in the midst of their new life. I learned to deal.

When I missed my siblings graduations (1 from high school, 1 from university) I felt like a lousy sister for not being there. But again, my dad takes photos.

But it's not the same.

But then, there are deaths. Well, so far just 1 (almost). My grandfather has been in the hospital all week. Things went from bad to worse, to better, to the end. When I heard he was having a "good day" - I knew it was the end. There's always 1 good day before the end. I'd been getting updated, emails, messages, and etc....but didn't have any words to respond to any. What could I say? "I'm on the other side of the world, on the exact opposite time zone, but here are my random words that won't do any good". I mean seriously...my aunts/uncles/father are traveling down to visit him, and I'm 12 hours by TIME ZONE away. They stay with him all day in the hospital while I'm asleep, and then when I wake up, it's time for them to sleep. My updates come when I wake up , or when I'm about to go to sleep. I can't even send a message to ask for an update at any time during my days. Let alone try to call or get in touch in any other way. He's now been taken off life support and moved to a hospice. When I go to bed tonight, I'll wake up to one less family member. I won't have the comfort of family here or even the comfort of someone who has known me for longer than a year to lean on.

Talk about helpless and lonely.

I was prepared to miss birthdays. I learned to deal with missing weddings and graduations. But missing the last hours of someone you love? That thought didn't even enter my mind to prepare for. 

So, to the man who tried stealing my dimples every time I saw him, who would come and bring me candy bars at my high school track races (someone always had to come in last!), and took me on my first helicopter ride. May your last few hours be peaceful and comfortable. It's safe to say you will be missed by people all over the world, even if they weren't present in your last hours. 

- Ape

Traffic in Hanoi

Just saw this posted on a Vietnam page, and thought it was a great representation of Hanoi Traffic. So, check out what a normal commute around town is:

TET Holiday - Sri Lanka

During the Lunar New Year, Vietnam celebrates the Chinese New Year...and it is called TET. We get 2 weeks off, and most foreigners use this chance to leave Vietnam and travel, and of course - I did the same! Where did I go?

Sri Lanka! Random, eh? Yes, I agree. Here's how it came about...

Hanging out with an old housemate, she told me her birthday was around TET and we should go somewhere. Of course, I was all for it. She thought of Sri Lanka, and while I had never had that country even enter my mind as a place to visit, I of course agreed. After a few weeks, talking to a few people, I decided Sri Lanka was going to be my next destination no matter what. Beaches, Seafood, Sun, everything I could want. So, I let my housemate know that I would be heading to Sri Lanka even if she decided not too. Well, she decided not too...and I continued to plan to go myself.

During my planning I got a message from my cousin, Jessie, who was planning her next holiday (she had joined my in my Bali Birthday celebration) and wanted to know where I'd be. Once I told her Sri Lanka in February, she started making plans to join.

So, after a few months pass, it's time to board the plane! I hopped on the flight ready for a VERY MUCH needed break from every Hanoi. I landed in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) and stayed for 2 days, visiting my friend Moni. The first day, I slept 12 hours....and IT WAS NEEDED! It was impossible to get more than 4 hours of sleep at my house in Hanoi before I left due to construction. I already felt like a new person.

While I was in KL, I had delicious Indian food, saw the Petronas Towers, Batur Caves and caught up with Moni. He is opening a resturant, and I got the grand tour before it opened.

Apes at the Petronas Towers, KL

Batur Caves, KL

Come Sunday, it was time to leave KL and move onto the feature of my holiday...SRI LANKA! I jumped on the plane, and didn't even bother sleeping. Once we arrived on the gorgeous island, I found my driver and he led me through Colombo, chatting all the way.

Here's a rough recap of my time once I was in Sri Lanka.

Colombo - My first (and last) stop in Sri Lanka. I met some good people and had a GREAT dinner with them. I ended up seeing ALL of them again at some point in my trip:

Max - one of the 2 Germans who were cycling the island on their fixed gear bikes. Him and Dennis (the other German cyclist) ended up being my favorite travellers on this trip, and I saw them nearly everyday.
Alex - he pretty much lived at the Hostel I stayed at (BED HOSTEL) and I saw him at the end of my trip as well.
Liam - A Canadian teaching English in China, we ended up hitting a few other cities together, but then he got "beached out" and moved onto visiting the Hill Country.

Cousin Jessie met me in Colombo, and a few hours after she arrived, we were on our way to our first beach...HIKKADUWA!!

Cousins on the train from Colombo to Hikkaduwa

Hikkaduwa - we spent 2 nights here, and it was gorgeous. As soon as we found a room (on the beach) we went for dinner and drinks, and a sunset. There didn't seem to be much happening that night, so we ended up just calling it an early one, catching up and just hanging out. The next day, we headed to the beach for the whole day, after a lovely breakfast at Tree Top Restaurant. It was a restaurant that was actually a tree-house, and we got a HUGE breakfast spread for just a few bucks. On the beach, we grabbed beds in front of The Drunkn Monkey, and we ran into Liam (the Canadian) and had some DELICIOUS cocktails and amazing seafood. It was soo good that we ate there the next day as well. In the evening, we met a few Aussies on the street and had some drinks before going down to the beach. Once down at the beach we met a birthday party and ended up hanging out with them at a Karaoke Beach Bar all night. Singing 80's and dancing a fool on the beach...CHECK!

Breakfast at Tree Top

Beach Babes!

Our last day in Hikkaduwa was spent doing some shopping, beaching, and eating before we hopped a tuk tuk to the next stop...GALLE.

Galle - We stayed in Galle Fort, which is exactly like it sounds. It's a little city inside the Fort in Galle. The first night (also Jessie's last night with me) we got Sari's and wore them to dinner with some people staying in our Hostel (Galle Fort Hostel). The next day, I took a cooking class and learned hour to make 9 Sri Lankan dishes! Curries - Pumpkin, Okra, Eggplant, Dahl, Jackfruit, Green Bean, Fish, Chicken, and also a really delicious Sri Lankan fruit salad. Afterwards, I walked off my "stuffed to the brim belly" by walking the fort walls and taking pictures. I was planning on heading out the following day to get back on a beach...UNAWATUNA!

Sari, not sorry

"Mama" who taught me to cook.

I MADE THIS!

Galle Fort Walls

Unawatuna - Before I left Galle, I luckily decided to book a hostel for my stay in Unawatuna. Good thing, too! A few hours after I arrived the place was full and the owner had to turn people away! I tuk tuk'd up to Unawatuna Hostel and arrived at a small hostel in the jungle, close to the railroad tracks. As I entered, I was given breakfast and told that there would be a BBQ later in the day. Everyone was lounging around, and I decided to tag along with a couple heading to the beach. Once on the beach, we grabbed coconuts and I worked on my tan. The beach was lovely, albeit small - it took about 15 minutes to walk the whole thing. You could definitily see the tourism taking over, as the area between the resturants and water was almost non-existent. At high tide, the water was lapping under our beach chairs.

Later in the day, it was BBQ time! One of the workers was leaving, and since he was a chef, he was doing all the cooking....all we had to do was put in 1000IND (about $7) towards drinks for the event. There were some musicians staying at the hostel, so we had a bonfire and a jam session, and once we decided to stay inside, there was still plenty of live music (and food and drink) to last until the wee hours of the morning.

Party People of Unawtuna:
Anna and Jens - An Austrian/Swede couple that reunited the day before I arrived.
Roman and his GF (who was lovely but I cant remember her name!) - Austrians who went to school with Anna. Roman kept referring to me as April from Nightrider and kept asking me for "boosters"
Mel - One of the musicians, we ended up going to Mirissa together for 2 days after Unawatuna...maybe Croatia in September???
Alice/Shantelle - 2 lovely girls traveling with Mel, Alice will be visiting Hanoi soon!
Jack - And English bloke with Alice/Shantelle/Mel, I ended up running into him on my last day in Waligama. Hopefully his red backed sunburn has finally healed!
Sebastian and Ismael - The Chileans who we partied with again in Mirissa and I saw daily in Mirissa/Wilagama. Both are into music and Sebastian has a GREAT voice!
Bunche - the owner of the hostel. Let's deem him the "king of the party castle".

The morning after the party, I was up and out (and returned) before most people had even woken up. When I wandered through the hostel, it reminded me of a frat party - empty bottles, extra people on couches, all the remnants of a great night. But, I was off for a morning of diving! I headed to the beach and went Scuba Diving with a lovely English couple that are currently living in Kuwait. The diving itself wasn't that memorable. I liked it, of course, but the sites were full of dead coral. Not too many bright colors, as I'm used to seeing under water. There were some bright colored fish, and I got to see puffer fish (my first), but other than that, the coral was all brown and unappealing. Too much diving, I suppose. Probably because some people don't follow the saying "Take pictures, leave bubbles" and end up touching (killing) the coral and other life. Such as, MY DIVEMASTER! He was touching all the flatworms and at one point picked up a starfish and swam with it. NOT OK! That explained why the underwater looked like it did. I did however, see something interesting....

..as I swam along (NOT TOUCHING THINGS), I saw a man untangling a fish from a hook. "Ah, how nice to untangle the fish!" I thought. As I watched I realized that is NOT what he was doing. While he had his diving gear on, he also had a spear....he was spearfishing while diving, and was running his "line" through the fish, at which the fish joined the rest of the fish dangling on his line behind him.

After diving, I headed back to the hostel, to greet the zombies awakening from their slumber. Mel made Macaroni and Cheese for everyone, and then him and I grabbed a bike from Bunche and drove off to MIRISSA!

Mirissa - In Mirissa, we stayed at Poppies, right across from the beach. We headed down to the beach for happy hour cocktails, and a snack. Then, we went back to get showered, and ended up running into the Chileans! So, we decided to catch some live music with them, and then bar hopped down the beach. We left the Chileans at the "trance" beach bar, and went back to bar that was playing 90's music. We ended up meeting a Sri Lankan race car driver, and stayed until the early morning light...but then we needed to head back....we were going WHALE WATCHING the next day!

On the boat we ended up seeing whales pretty early, which was GREAT! There ended up being 3 whale sightings, and HEAPS of dolphins. Afterwards, we drove out to Waligama to meet the Chileans and the Germans for food and drinks....the following day it was time for a new location.

Wilagama - So, I was originally going to head up to the Hill Country today, but as my heart belongs to the beach, I decided to just backtrack and spend my last few days in Wilagame. Both the Chileans AND the Germans were there surfing, and I was happy to lay on the beach and watch them instead of trekking in the mountains somewhere. So the next few days consisted of sleeping in, reading on the beach, getting bronzed, and taking pictures of my surfing friends.

During the next few days, I ran into Jeff, who also lives in Hanoi (we shared a taxi to the airport in Hanoi) and then Jack (from Unawatuna). It was nice to just walk down the street and see familiar faces.

Adventure Feet in Wilagama

Eventually though, it was time to hop on a train back to Colombo, for my last night in Sri Lanka before heading back to Hanoi.

So...I can now understand why EVERYONE I talked to RAVED about Sri Lanka, as I will continue to rave about it as well. The food was delicious, the lcoal people were the nicest and loveliest I have EVER met, the landscape (ok, the beaches - since that's all I saw) was beautiful. I am already looking to make Sri Lanka my September holiday (again), although this time I'm hoping to make it off the beach :)

Iss-too-tee,
Apes