An elephant in the room is better than one on the road. That’s how our day started off.

I wanted the family to experience village life much like I had with my grandparents and aunts. Growing up we took the bullock cart as transportation from the train station to see my aunt.

We then entered a village rowing a catamaran to learn cooking. We ate with them. Then took the more modern transportation of a Tuk Tuk to get back.

Our biggest accomplishment was to climb the Sigiriya Rock to see the sunset. Once a fortress 1500 years ago and now UNESCO world heritage took us on a 3 hour hike. Last time I climbed this was when I was 12 years of age. 54 years later it was no easy task.

Smiley Chloe (what a recovery story)

Business man Dad

Adventure Mom

We are now in Sigirya and taking a moment to adventure- Enjoy Friends

Eric Rajah Big Boss Man

Family in the village

Elephant ride

Authentic food

Stunning Views

Temple in the cave

Swimming

Tuk Tuk Ride

Boat ride

Hike up Sigiriya

Time to sit back and explore the beauty of Sri Lanka

Our destination is Sigiriya – a world heritage site. The lion rock is where the king built his palace. On the way we stopped and did an elephant safari.

Aliya resort lobby has a view of the rock. We will climb it tomorrow and see the ancient kingdom. The rock is on the right behind the pool.

All my childhood food I ate is available here.

Our day started with ocean volley ball at the northern tip of Sri Lanka. A sunset walk around the Jaffna Fort built by the Portuguese in 1504 it was fascinating.

Our highlight was the dinner we hosted for 30 of my immediate family on my mother’s aside. We have not seen each other in 50 years. They also got to see my children and Candi.

Greeted by his uncle and cousin you can see the smiles and the joy after 50 years of returning to his grandma house what this place meant to him: I was walking with dad and asked him at the Buddha temple where did you get your compassion and grace from? where you always like this?

Dad said- “My Grandma taught me a lot, she cared for others when she had nothing and constantly helped others” she was my inspiration.

It was so neat to see the place dad spent time with his cousins. To see where you slept at night, played with his cousins, pulled water from the well. Moments he will never forget.

We walked along the train track as he shared stories of his childhood- such a simple walk but with deep stories and moments passing- just like the passenger train that sped by as we departed.

Knowing everyone around the world has a story and family with deep memories and moments that inspire us and guided us to where we are today: Eric Rajah

Oh and that was just the afternoon

This is how my day started: a run into the jungle and I will let the photos tell the rest-

Once we got the monkey off our back we were on our way to Jaffna. The birthplace of my mother and where she lived. It was a time to introduce and meet our cousins and uncles we have not met.

I drew water from the well that my grandmother and I used to draw from. She always prayed at that well facing the sun. The well is still full of water. We went to the Hindu temple where I often went with her.

Today we explored the history of Buddhism and its arrival in Sri Lanka. We experienced many different foods and fruits. We have an excellent guide who goes everywhere with us and we also have a driver. So two people to look after us. They are both very good.

After 19 hours of flying and 10 hours of layover in London we have finally arrived in Sri Lanka. Met up with our driver and guide. First day has gone well.

Our family trip to Sri Lanka began today. We all met up in London.

It’s 50 years since I left my birthplace. I have been back once in 2004 to help with the tsunami. Candi and our children have never been there.

So here we are for them to see my roots. We will soon board our flight to Colombo.