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– Shannonigans –
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– Shannonigans –

Sri Lanka 2017

I visited Sri Lanka for about three weeks in December 2017. It had been a tough year domestically, and I looked forward to running away from it all (I basically went radio silence on news and social media sites) and learning about an island that has had a long and tumultuous history of its own. I had such a great experience with Intrepid in Vietnam that I found another 15-day Intrepid tour in Sri Lanka, and then added a few extra days onto the end of my trip for relaxation at a swanky eco-resort called Tri. Once again, I will sing the praises of Intrepid (and my tour group leader, Ajith) for creating an immersive and fascinating journey through the country, from the sandy beaches at the coasts to the tea plantations in central hill country. Another wonderful trip in the books. Here are some bits and pieces, which can in no way convey the magic of the place- you’ll just have to go there and experience it yourself. 🙂

Of Monks and Kings – historic ruins and temples

One Cup of Tea – the tea industry of central Sri Lanka

Rice and Curry Forever – my favorite foods and drinks

The Southern Coast – beachy getaways and Colombo, the commercial capital

Tri – four days in paradise

And of course, a smattering of photos I like that didn’t really fit into the categories above.

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Lovely hotel in Dambulla
Lovely hotel in Dambulla
Still a majority of farmers and agriculture workers here
Still a majority of farmers and agriculture workers here
Sun-dappled living room? Yes please.
Sun-dappled living room? Yes please.
WOW
WOW
Not a bad spot to have your breakfast
Not a bad spot to have your breakfast
The view from one of our hotel rooms- sadly we were only there one night
The view from one of our hotel rooms- sadly we were only there one night
The Tri lake view cottages, as seen from the water
The Tri lake view cottages, as seen from the water
A rooftop restaurant in Kandy, where we had the best view and the worst service. Oh well!
A rooftop restaurant in Kandy, where we had the best view and the worst service. Oh well!
Taking the train, finally! The train strike lasted almost a week but we managed to get our last train leg in after a labor agreement was reached.
Taking the train, finally! The train strike lasted almost a week but we managed to get our last train leg in after a labor agreement was reached.
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Note the solar panel
Note the solar panel
This monkey looks bored and annoyed. Or like she's about to steal my backpack.
This monkey looks bored and annoyed. Or like she’s about to steal my backpack.
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Not a bad spot to take a break from the road and have a cup of tea
Not a bad spot to take a break from the road and have a cup of tea
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The nightly scramble of figuring out the bill, and occasionally figuring out that they had "accidentally" charged us for NINE extra cocktails...
The nightly scramble of figuring out the bill, and occasionally figuring out that they had “accidentally” charged us for NINE extra cocktails…
Greenery at a hotel
Greenery at a hotel
Bags out in the morning mean we are moving on
Bags out in the morning mean we are moving on
terraced farms and tea fields in the hill country
terraced farms and tea fields in the hill country
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Vacation selfie
Vacation selfie
Jeep safari!
Jeep safari!
apples and jack fruit, and Ajiths crocs in the background
apples and jack fruit, and Ajiths crocs in the background
Super munchee! A bit like hard tack, but lighter.
Super munchee! A bit like hard tack, but lighter.
A bit of friendly international pickup cricket while we waited for other group members
A bit of friendly international pickup cricket while we waited for other group members
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Dutch fort in Galle
Dutch fort in Galle
the lake in central Kandy at sunset
the lake in central Kandy at sunset
Hannah, a financial analyst from Vietnam
Hannah, a financial analyst from Vietnam
Elephant safari, saw several hundred out and about. Really amazing.
Elephant safari, saw several hundred out and about. Really amazing.
Our trusty bus, which took us nearly 1,500 km around the country
Our trusty bus, which took us nearly 1,500 km around the country
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Mark and me at the Dambulla cave temple
Mark and me at the Dambulla cave temple
All the public buses were decorated on the inside. It seemed like a contest.
All the public buses were decorated on the inside. It seemed like a contest.
Narrow outriggers like this are still used by fishermen
Narrow outriggers like this are still used by fishermen
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I had cell service turned off, but my phone knew where I was, and even thought maybe I picked up some Tamil or Sinhalese
I had cell service turned off, but my phone knew where I was, and even thought maybe I picked up some Tamil or Sinhalese
Public bus steering wheel. Seems legit.
Public bus steering wheel. Seems legit.
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Dancers in Kandy
Dancers in Kandy
Our group photo at our goodbye dinner- an amazingly fun and interesting group of people
Our group photo at our goodbye dinner- an amazingly fun and interesting group of people
Well hello there.
Well hello there.
Bamboo Christmas tree at Koggala Lake
Bamboo Christmas tree at Koggala Lake
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Thor's tuk tuk
Thor’s tuk tuk
Fuzzy little thieves know how to open the balcony doors
Fuzzy little thieves know how to open the balcony doors
Our first hotel
Our first hotel
Beer and note-scribbling, right before the sky opened up and poured rain
Beer and note-scribbling, right before the sky opened up and poured rain
That's a funny looking cow.
That’s a funny looking cow.
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These feet are ready to see some whales
These feet are ready to see some whales
Got any snacks? Looks like you might have snacks. I want snacks.
Got any snacks? Looks like you might have snacks. I want snacks.
The door of our bus
The door of our bus
Public bus entertainment included these tuk tuk drivers sideshowing and stunting. Just like Oakland!
Public bus entertainment included these tuk tuk drivers sideshowing and stunting. Just like Oakland!
Sara and Ajith
Sara and Ajith
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Photogs at work
Photogs at work

Welcome!

I’m Shannon. This is stuff I think is funny and/or interesting. It’s ok if you don’t think it’s funny and/or interesting.

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And did a little work
And did a little work
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