Dad’s Tour of his home town was the most incredible experience a son and family could have asked for- when I say there was not one thing that went wrong on this trip I mean it. 16 days of fun filled stories, laughter and adventure.

Let’s talk about the food (south Indian) – imagine eating your favorite food 3x a day for 15 days over looking some of the most beautiful views you have seen.

Or drinking Ceylon tea with your mom and Sharing life or your wife and all that we have been through . The energy the smiles the positive attituded in the Rajah family never stops.

Stunning scenery acrossss the country N S E W we did. Each area a person, a relative, a moment you shared with us. Your family was so delighted and so were we.

Many of you know Dad, he has given back to those in need, fundraised for projects for the future youth. Owns a “computer business” and has given his life to service.

This trip was so much more than just memories and the past. This is a trip was about family and seeing the other side. Perspective in life from all sides allows us to truly love and respect the cultures, religions and the history of where we are today.

Eric Rajah time and time again this trip was thee trip of a lifetime with you. The fact that you can climb a massive rock and not pass out. (At your age) I know we will get to travel with you again and be inspired by your love for life and all it has to offer people around the world.

Wish I was headed back tomorrow with you to make new memories.

Sri Lanka 2024

DADS TOUR

NEVERFORGOTTEN- created by a great man and phenomenal mother Candi Schafer Rajah

Take a look and experience Sri Lanka with the Rajahs

After 16 days of tracing my roots, visiting family and seeing the beauty of Sri Lanka we have started our 30 hour journey back home to Calgary and Vancouver

The highlight today was on the 27th floor swimming pool with an ocean and city view.

Thanks to all who were staying in touch.

We spent the last two days In Colombo the capital of Sri Lanka.

I remember walking along a huge lawn in front of the Galle Face Hotel where we would fly kites. At 12 I would dream of looking inside the hotel. The hotel was built in 1864 by the British, and the Royals stayed here. Seldom were locals welcome or able to afford it.

After 50 years I was able to book rooms for all of us and stayed in this historical hotel. We shopped, celebrated Chloe’s birthday went for long walks along the lawn that stretches about one km along the ocean.

Our day began with a visit to a 68 acre botanical gardens established in 1864 by the British.

I wanted my boys to experience a swim in the river. When I travelled on holidays my parents would stop and allow us to play in the river.

We did that today complete with an authentic lunch by the river.

The first stop we had was dad orginal home and his teacher Alfonso and the Priest- they had such great love for people and i saw why dad wanted to see them again

It’s been a couple days as we have been on the move non-stop touring each area of Sri Lanka exploring the ocean, mountain side and cities

Our next stop was dads beginning of grades 1-5 at Laklaphana Adventist College

Dad and the group was met with the band and a special program

Gorgeous campus and well kept- was a lovely tour and meaningful for the group

Next stop Kandy and tea plantation

I wanted my family to experience the many train trips I had made from Kandy. Finally Candi got to see Kandy.

Our destination will take us to Nuwara Eliya by train. The stunning scenery of water falls, forests, villages and tea plantation are enjoyed on this trip. Brenden Rajah and Chloe were hanging out of the door.

We are now in the hill country where tea is grown- Ceylon Tea is world famous.

Heading to the city of Kandy where I spent grades 1 to 4 the school where my mom and dad met, got married and taught. The Adventist school gave our family the foundation in many areas of our lives.

A surprise welcome was planned I visited the house where we lived and the classrooms where my mom taught.

Then we arrived in the city of Kandy- the temple of the tooth. A world famous temple where the Buddha’s tooth is kept and paraded once a year for a week around the city.

The hotels and food we have stayed in are way beyond our expectation and tourism is booming.

Showing my family where I went to school in grade 5 and 6 and 9 and 10. 7 and 8 was in another town. In grade 9 and 10 I was in a boarding school in the town of Batticaloa in the east coast.

Meet two very important people in my life. My biology teacher Mr. Alphonse Mary and his twin brother Father Joseph Mary. I was very happy to see them today and have my family walk in my footsteps with them. Showed them the Adventist church where my dad was Pastor and where I shared testimonies when I was 15.

We visited the tsunami areas where we were A Better World team was helping in 2004 and saw how everything had been cleaned up very well.

In my teen years the Catholic priest got me involved in activism and humanitarian causes. After 50 years his message is the same. I will share it in a separate video.

Today we left for the east coast and arrived at the beautiful Amaya Beach resort. 50 years ago there were no resorts. Miles of unspoiled beach and nice resorts have been built.

We came here to see my cousins and their families. They were all born after I left for Canada so first time meeting them. We had them over to the resort for dinner.

Dad mentioned that he was 12 years old the last time he climbed the Rock-

I was pretty nervous for my parents climbing to the top, 1200 steps and a 2km round trip up and down. This seemed like no easy task!

Chloe and I made it to the top our legs burning and sweat dripping like It had just poured rain, no way were my parents going to be able to do this:

Well did I ever forget how determined, hard working and adventurous they are- about 15 min later here they were smiling and laughing like it was no big deal- they even saw beautiful paintings on the rock (Fresco).

Lesson of the day Eric Rajah and Candi Schafer Rajah know how to travel and live life to the fullest. Love you both!

Now for the photos