When we left Sri Lanka at the end of November, we thought we would be gone for 10 days. We had home exchangers coming to use our house and we took two short flights to one of our favorite haunts, Ubud, Bali. (The benefit of living in South East Asia, is being able to get to places like Bali, in a few hours.)
The plan was to return to Sri Lanka after those 10 days, for a 3 week period at home, until the next home exchange visitors would arrive. Then we would head out again, to an as yet undetermined destination.
However… as those 10 days in Bali drew to a close, it felt like it did not make sense to return to Sri Lanka for a mere 3 weeks, only to head out again. And so, we opted to stay in Indonesia for as long as our visas would allow, which was a month, before moving on to Malaysia, Thailand and finally, India.
Coming back to Sri Lanka after an extended stay in India, Sri Lanka feels like Switzerland.
It’s lush and green, there is much less dust than India, less traffic, less people, less noise.
When we have returned to Sri Lanka directly after Bali in the past, Sri Lanka has felt more like India, in comparison. This is a lesson in relativity and how one destination often impacts the perception of the next destination.
(Morning sun rays, outside our bedroom.)
Being home also means reconnecting with “our” doggies. But wait… roll call… 1, 2, 3, 4… wait, 5, 6! How exactly did we get to six stray dogs living outside our house?
And about dogs… just before we left, as in exactly 48 hours before departure, we decided that we had to do something about the constant almost non stop wailing of a dog, somewhere in the vicinity of our house. We hopped on our motor-scooter to try to locate where the crying was coming from, until we identified the house. We peeked over the tall gate, and saw a small cage on the side of the house with an oh so skinny and very sad dog chained up inside it.
We knocked on the gate until eventually a family came out. From what we could make out, the reason they have a dog is so that it will bark when anyone comes to the house ~ in other words, its sole purpose is to act as an alarm. This is very much a cultural thing.
It became a two pronged approach ~ Peta sought to appeal to the owner’s alleged Buddhist religion and how cruelty to dogs was surely inconsistent with the Lord Buddha’s teachings. How could they call themselves good Buddhists?
First we went off to buy dog food so as to deal with the hunger issue immediately, and then we did our best to explain to the owners that dogs need food two times a day, water all day, and exercise and attention. We managed to convince them to let the dog out of the cage. A skeleton of a dog emerged like the regal queen she actually is, deep inside. Tall and proud. Ribs sticking out, sores on her body… Heart wrenching.
In addition, we went to the local nearby dog clinic to ask them to check on the dog’s health and inquired as to whether they could take her away from these owners to live at the clinic while we would try to find her a new home. The clinic staff were adamant that they are not a dog hotel, and are not able to provide shelter nor find dogs new homes. They do neutering and surgeries.
Finally Ben managed to convince them to just come with us to the house and check out the dog’s condition. Once they saw for themselves how much abuse this dog was enduring and what bad shape she was in, they did take her back to the clinic to receive treatment… Whew, we left Sri Lanka at least knowing she would receive food and medical attention and not be tied up on a chain in a cage all day long.
A few weeks later, while in Bali, we saw on the clinic’s facebook page that she was doing nicely at the clinic and responding well to treatment and attention, and gaining weight as well as healing. They wrote a caption which said “and she will NOT be going back to the original owners”.
Yay, mission success!!
Now that we are back, we return to the clinic as we want to see our rescue dog, restored to health and continue our attempts to find her a new home. We are delighted to find out that she has made a complete recovery and has been placed by the clinic with a family who are very happy to have her.
We are off to visit her! Gone are the protruding ribs. Gone are the sad eyes and dark stains from so many tears. Luna is now fully healthy and happy and living with 4 other dogs in an animal loving family.
Before and after photos. A dog story with a very happy ending!
Whenever we return to our rural “neighborhood” we are interested to see at what stage the rice paddies are. Will they be bright lime fluorescent green, or will the fields be marsh like, after a recent harvest?
Lest you think the only company we keep is that of monkeys, birds and dogs….
Yoga is an integral part of our lives (and health plan), and has been for almost 20 years now. We chose the location of our home to be, based on proximity to beaches and to a beautiful yoga shala which is minutes away by foot.
Being home, means we can take care of maintenance and improvements to our living space. We get cracking a few days in, as we know that time will fly by before we are up and nomadic once again.
First order of business is to create a new canopy to replace the creeper which died in our absence. We are looking for an aesthetic, low cost solution to spruce things up a bit and provide some necessary shade.
there is always time to enjoy watching the monkeys in our garden.
One of the main features that draws health tourism to Sri Lanka is Ayurveda.
The ancient Indian medical system, is based on ancient writings that rely on a “natural” and holistic approach to physical and mental health. Ayurvedic medicine is one of the world’s oldest medical systems and remains one of Sri Lanka’s most traditional health care systems. Foreigners, who seek out Ayurvedic treatment, typically experience Ayurveda at high end resorts and spas. However, Ayurveda, is first and foremost the go to source of health maintenance for most Sri Lankans ~ and can be had in any neighborhood at very low prices without all the hoopla of the resorts.
A bit too zealous with his yoga, Ben gets a yoga injury causing him much pain. Ice and rest and elevation only go so far. In the U.S. one would probably get a cortisone shot for this kind of connective tissue injury. But here, well what to do? We decide to try our local Ayurvedic doctor located five minutes away on the main road.
Piles of fresh leaves are on the tables… Ready for grinding or boiling into medicinal ointments. This is what European ancient druids must have practised.
After 3 weeks of pain and hardly being able to walk, Ben is finally repaired and on the road to full recovery.
A week later, we are back, this time for a sore throat. Let’s see what the Ayurvedic doctor comes up with.
Ahhh, it is good to be back home!
Loved getting a glimpse of your day-to-day Sri Lankan life and seeing how your outdoor bath has matured over the years with all the plants. It does look like a battle with the creeping growth but tending your own nest is such a pleasurable way to embrace your return home. Your soaking tub looks especially nice and I’m sure it provides a lot of relief during the hot days. Hope that book you’re reading is a good one!
Anita
Thanks Anita. Our daily life here is so rich that it really raises the ante for travel. There is a constant push and pull between our nomadic selves and perpetual desire to travel and our home nesting selves… so inclined to enjoy our day to day slice of jungle paradise.
Thank goodness for that tub. We use it strategically by filling it up with cold water in the mornings, before the power cuts take effect (which shut down our ability to get water) and then when the fans go off too… we head into the tub!
Peta
What a great post! Love the dog rescue and home shots. Also, dig your tub. Charles
Charles, this dog rescue is the latest in a long series of dog rescues that started a decade back in Nicaragua. So thrilled that this one had such a good ending.
Our tub is the bomb!!
Peta
Obviously you two are loving being at home, and it seems your dogs like having you back. I’m still unable to see the photos but I did watch the video – those Langur monkeys are so beautiful. Your story of the dog rescue gave me goosebumps – am so glad things worked out well for her.
Sharon, yes, the dogs manage fine without us and we do have someone who comes to feed them daily, but they love it when we are here to spoil them a bit. The langur monkeys are an incredible treat. Like having National Geographic right outside our door!
We have been reading up on the Langurs and learning about them… they roam in groups of about 14 and in most cases these groupings are centred around 1 male and multiple females (a harem), with the balance of the group made up of little ones. They are also groups of so called “wanderers” which are all males, which go their own individual way during the day and converge to sleep in groups at night. Typically one group of 14 would “own” a jungle space of about 3 hectares but with the loss of habitat, the groups of langurs are increasingly forced to co habit, leading to conflict between males.
Peta
I so enjoy your posts about the home you’ve created in Sri Lanka. It’s a kind of fantasy for me – something I know I’ll never do (as I wouldn’t swap the life I have for anything), but I get to live it vicariously through you. I love reading about your ingenuity and creativity. Such a happy story about the dog! And glad to hear Ben is on the mend.
Alison
Thanks Alison, we are very conscious of the fact that this experience we are having living here is an extraordinary chapter in our lives. We know one day we will look back at the elements of this life here that are exceptional in regards to nature and the gifts it brings us.
Peta
Home sweet home! So happy that dog could be rescued. The before picture was such a pitiful sight.
Anabel, we have quite a lot of photos from that first visit, although we posted just one.
I always feel that it is our obligation as humans to speak out for animals that are being abused. If we walk away and do nothing, what does that say about us? Sometimes Ben tries to stop me, when it seems inconvenient to take the time and make the effort, but there is no stopping me when it comes to trying to make a difference in an animals life.
Peta
Welcome home. One of my favorite posts is getting this glimpse into your daily lives.
My only complaint about your post is that it is probably 5 posts in one and I have to keep going back to read since my fibro-fogged monkey brain is unwilling to stop jumping around like an endangered species.
xxx j
The nude “P” shots were discrete BUT this blog has now gone from G-rated to P-rated.
Thank you. You are correct that in actual fact, this could easily provide fodder for multiple blog entries. However, it has taken us a full six weeks to have our blog be caught up to our real life.. just in time before we start on another round of travels.
What? I’m nude? I spend so much time walking around naked here in our house due to the heat, that I barely blink when Ben takes surprise photos of me. There were much more racey ones but I don’t think my sons would be too happy with me if I posted those!! Haha.
Peta
Hi Peta, A really fun and interesting post! This is the first time I have heard Sri Lanka compared to Switzerland. A good lesson on relativity. A great lesson for life in general.
I am in awe of your bathroom garden. Beautiful and idyllic. Yet, some pros and cons. Truly another lifestyle than the one I am accustomed to living.
A sad story about the wailing, neglected dog. A happy ending.
Very interesting information about the Ayurvedic medicine.
Breathtaking photos! I can see how the pros outweighs the cons. I enjoyed reading and losing myself in another place on our planet. Namaste🙏
Erica, you are right, there are not many that would consider the island of Sri Lanka to Switzerland, but after India…. Yes it is ALL about relativity isn’t it?
Regarding our bathroom cons. We did have two unwelcome visitors this past week. First a large monitor lizard which must have parachuted down from the trees as they are tree climbers, and started panicking when he realised he could not get out. I panicked just as much, but Ben saved the day by making loud noises so he could be steered towards the exit door. Whew.
And then… in the SAME day. A snake. Long and green was seen in the bathroom. Believe you me, I fled the sight and left Ben to deal with it. He eventually managed to get the snake to climb up a rope for one of the creepers and safely exit, but it sure made me rather tentative for a few days about soaking in my bath tub. Now its already all history.
Thanks for the lovely compliment on the photos!
Peta
Welcome home, you two! I can imagine what a joy it was to put all those clothes back where they belong, to sit in your own garden (I never noticed before you had grass!!), to watch the monkeys, to see friends and neighbors again. Ah, the joys of some familiarity and comfort! We’re going through a similar sensation at a house sit. 🙂
I’m soooo glad that doggie is healed and found better owners. You guys are amazing. I thank you on behalf of all the dogs you are taking care of. Did anybody feed the strays while you were gone?
And, good to hear that Ben is feeling better. Plus, those orchids are beautiful and the monkeys plain old fun! Enjoy being back in Sri Lanka, until the next home exchange. 🙂
By the way, how has the political situation turned out?
Well thanks Liesbet. We have just caught up with our blog and now it is time to take to the road once again.
Very observant! We did NOT have any grass, it was all bare earth around this house. Barren. It is quite the transformation. Still some bare patches, but overall, a much improved lawn situation. Some of it is made up of clover and other parts are pennywort, which is edible and we use in our smoothies.
Yes we make sure that the dogs are fed a meal every single day while we are gone. Also the dog clinic sets out in a little tuk tuk at the end of every day and feeds about 300 stray dogs in the vicinity. They make a stop at the rice paddy down the road and our strays are vigilant about being there every day for their second meal. So they are well taken care of, no worries.
The political situation in Sri Lanka is stable. All calm for now, with the theatrics of November long forgotten. History. The prime minister is fully in charge, the Chinese encroachment has been put in check. No more chilli powder throwing in parliament for now.
Peta
Hi. Dang you’re good!
I could just about smell the jack fruit and yes the yoga Shala. I was transported by your fabulous writing, you are talented and amazing.
I remember your home, walking by the rice paddy and every bit of what you shared. Been to Bali but Sri Lanka is it’s own lovely place. Wow not bad for nomads heeee.
Love the Ayurvedic doctor just my kinda guy. I too went hunting for a crying dog when I lived in my little house. I got scolded by the owners when asked wtf…k. Not with that language but saw that dog in a cage too. You are sooo good. Real proud of you I backed down. But next time I won’t. If there is a next time.
I must say in India the barking dogs were one of the few things I don’t miss. Wonder if I will be back maybe I should say when? I do love it.
I’m teaching yoga in Florida at a lovely studio doing my ball work and just loving it and sharing the joy and watching how wonderful it actually is. Oh say hi to mike and Wally. Did they get their place up and running? It was amazing and not finished when I left. Want to hear all about Brook. So feel free to email me with an update. What’s app, email not much of a Facebook gal.
If you are ever in Florida come visit. I have a sweet spot.
Heidi thanks so much for your thoughtful and complimentary feedback. Having lived in our hood, you know of what we talk!
Re backing down… Ben, left to his own devices would mind his own business but I am afraid that I do not have that gene and when it comes to animal abuse I never back down! I believe that it is our obligation as humans to stand up for innocent animals. It is such a gut core response which wells up in me. However, I have learnt to not yell at people and try not to judge them, but rather, to do whatever it takes to somehow improve the life of the soul being impacted in whatever way possible.
Making Sri Lankan Buddhists think about their Un Buddhist like behavior usually gives them pause to think for at least a moment. I think the most common reason that people abuse animals is that they honestly do not realise that animals have actual feelings. Once I point out that the dog is similar to a child, it often helps to shift their perception.
Glad to hear you are doing so well. Will email you with more…
xoxo
Peta
Welcome home! Thank you for sharing your amazing travel and photos with us. I LOVE reading about your adventures.
Thank you so much for reading us and so glad that you are enjoying our adventures both on the road and here at home in Sri Lanka.
Peta
Your bathroom is beautiful. And thank you for rescuing that dog.
Well thank you, we love it. We designed it after we experienced a gorgeous outside bathroom in Yogyakarta Indonesia. We knew that one day we would create our own bathroom garden, and now here it is.
I will do my best to rescue when I can.. here is another post about a dramatic rescue in Dominican Republic, where we were for a few days, on our way to Haiti….
http://www.greenglobaltrek.com/2010/11/dominican-republic-first-stop.html
Peta
Welcome home. Love this entry. Cant imagine the heat if you need 4 baths a day. I would love it!!!!
Honestly Roch, I will do my utmost to never be here in Sri Lanka in April or May again, it is just WAY too hot!!!!! We don’t have air conditioning so we are reliant on our ceiling fans which do a great job, WHEN we have electricity. But of course, even if we had AC, once the power goes out for a few hours each day, it wouldn’t help much either. YEAH you would love it hahahah.
xoxo
Pete
It is always nice to come home. I love your creativity with natural items to spruce up your beautiful house.
Boyd! So nice to read you here. Thank you for the lovely compliment. We are very happy with our rustic paradise.
Pete
I should be preparing for my writing class this morning I should be meditating first a bit, and eating some breakfast. But I can’t leave your post here, which has me mesmerized, crying, and smiling. Crying at the part about the caged dog. Thank you for rescuing him. What a good ending to that story. The photos are amazing, as always. The yoga ‘healing’ is fascinating. Yoga is so healthy, but yes, we can overdo. I broke a toe once while working on a head stand. I stick with shoulder stands now. 🙂 Welcome home. And I agree, the perspective changes depending on where you travel. However, each time I go away, I love the places I visit, but then I’m surprised at how much I love my own place when I return.
Pam we always seem to derail your morning routine. Yeah, the mark of a good story!
The dog had been crying for days… and it kept bothering me knowing that a dog nearby was clearly in pain. Ben kept saying, “there is nothing we can do… AND, we are leaving the country in a day. What’s your plan?” I said that I had no idea, but we had to go there and see for ourselves and then things would evolve and they did and happily in the right direction.
Yes, nice to travel and yes, nice to be home.
Peta
Oh my heart thank goodness for you kind folks to be persistent in rescuing the pup. The before and after photo is shocking. We may not be able to change the world but one kindness at a time surely leads the way.
I agree that travel and how we see destinations is very much relative to where we have previously been. After your India posts seeing Sri Lanka with its lushness and calm is quite the change.
Sue unfortunately I am one of those people that can’t just walk away from animal abuse. And unfortunately animal abuse is pretty much a constant no matter where we go. The details just change.
Here’s another post of another rescue with a happy ending in case you are interested… this time in Dominican Republic;
http://www.greenglobaltrek.com/2010/11/dominican-republic-first-stop.html
Peta
How’s your throat?
Doing MUCH better! So grateful to have good plant medicine over antibiotics that is for sure! We leave tomorrow, so one more day for Ayurveda to do it’s magic….
Peta
What a lovely post, Peta, and I’m sure you are glad to be home again! I enjoyed reading about it all, but you know that the part I enjoyed the most was your rescue of that poor dog. Sometimes, we just have to be willing to step up and at least try to help. And as this story proved, sometimes that initial effort can make all the difference!
Thanks Ann… Yes I do my best to step up as otherwise I am haunted by the fact that I did not even TRY to help. Here is another post of another rescue in another part of the world.
http://www.greenglobaltrek.com/2010/11/dominican-republic-first-stop.html
I do feel that animals rely on us to protect them from other humans and even if we make a difference in the life of one soul, that is very meaningful to me.
Peta
Home sweet home indeed. Sometimes the problem is it’s a little too comfortable, the routines are too ingrained – it becomes too easy to get in a rut and miss out on the adventures that leaving town can bring. Somehow, that doesn’t seem like that’s a problem for you two.
Well done on saving the dog, he didn’t look like he was going to last. Does Sri Lanka have an aggressive spaying/neutering program, or is it strictly when owners feel like paying for it?
Haha Dave, right… life in Sri Lanka is never boring and there are always new adventures. Because we are nomadic and move around and travel a lot, we do appreciate the days we have that are spent here in our little abode.
The dog clearly was deteriorating rapidly.
I would not say that Sri Lanka has an aggressive spaying/neutering problem, but there is a wonderful clinic near us run by a German woman which provides free services for Sri Lankans and the clinic also brings in as many stray dogs as possible, every day, to do the neutering and spaying. Pretty amazing place.
Peta
Peta, I always enjoy your posts full of lots of interesting stories. I am in awe of you and Ben at how amazingly persistent you were at persuading the dog clinic to take the poor thing.
Your outdoor bathroom is gorgeous, although sharing it with snakes and lizards would certainly give me a heart attack. Enjoy sometime at home 😄
We love our outdoor bathroom, which does have a huge over 6 foot wall around it, but of course occasionally an unwanted creature intrudes. Honestly, I erase these memories completely from my memory bank each morning! The positives so far outweigh all that stuff!
Peta
I can FEEL your happiness to be back in your wonderful home. The house is looking great, as always, and even the dead creeping vine is almost unnoticeable amid all that other plant growth. The starving dog story made me cringe and want to cry, but kudos to you for stepping in to (most likely) save his life.
You have built a rich and wonderful life for yourselves in Sri Lanka, and I love reading about it! It’s completely inspiring to me. I’d so love to come see it for myself someday (with my husband – to give him some ideas – haha), so please stay a while longer! 🙂
Lex, come on down!!! We just had a visit from a Vancouver based blog reader and her husband, and we had a wonderful time getting to know them. It was so much fun. After staying here they spent another 2+ weeks exploring Sri Lanka.
Thanks for the compliments and kind words. Yup, no doubt that dog was on a very slippery slope…
Peta
How wonderful that you are home and happy. Your place looks so peaceful, well except for the monkeys, but they would be fascinating. A great example of how we can all live togehter and share the space and food. I love Peanut and Butter! And what a wonderful story about Luna, I was so pleased when I got to the part where she had been rehomed and healthy! I’m pleased to hear Ben is all better. A great post!!
Thanks Darlene. The monkeys even though characteristically the males let out a whooping sound, they are actually pretty quiet for the most part. Usually the only way we know that they are outside is the sound of swishing as they jump from tree to tree and branch to branch.
Every body back to health, happily.
Peta
I totally get how different Sri Lanka (or any place for that matter) feels based on where you last visited. Believe it or not, Nosy Be Madagascar felt like New York City after Chagos and the long sail from there. Almost overwhelmed when we first arrived there. I am sure that there are few people that would compare Nosy Be to Manhattan, but probably just as few who would equate Sri Lanka with Switzerland 🙂
Your bathroom garden is looking luscious even if you bathroom canopy has died! Love the cinnamon stick replacement.
Peanut and Butter are adorable new additions to you canine crew! Your dog rescue story of Luna was heart wrenching with a happy ending. You two are my heroes as is the vet that took her in and brought her back to life!
So glad that the Ayervedic practitioner was able to restore Ben’s gait.
Your post now has me longing to return to Sri Lanka. Yet another reason for a victory lap.
Miss you both. Hugs
Ahh Lisa that’s such a great parallel.. Nosy Be is to Manhattan, what Sri Lanka is to Switzerland. This will not probably make sense to many, but of course you get it!!!! It is the most significant truism of a global nomadic lifestyle. It is all relative and sequencing is critical.
Did we mention.. that we once flew from India to Istanbul, Turkey? And while Istanbul is to most people a very exotic destination, after India, it felt positively bland. We enjoyed it, but the comparison with India was just too stark.
The vet is part of the staff at the dog center near us which is an incredible place created by a German woman and funded predominantly with her own money and a few donations. The work they do every day for local dogs is praiseworthy. That kind vet currently has ten dogs living at his home!
Yup, you should do another Sri Lankan round! But seems your yacht is facing the opposite direction for now…
Miss you too, welcome back to the internet,
Huge love
xoxo
Peta
Just testing!
Hi Eileen
Your test worked.
Peta
I love going on adventures, but I also love coming home. There is something so comforting about being surrounded by familiar sights, sounds, and people. That picture of the skinny puppy broke my heart – who could do that to another living creature? I was thrilled that Luna found the love and care she deserves. Good for you for getting involved!
Janis thanks for your comments. Sadly, there are many dogs here that are kept chained or in cages during the day. The only time they experience freedom is when they are let out at night to be guard dogs. This makes them aggressive not surprisingly, and there have been many dog owners that have told us this when we tried to adjust their thinking to the realisation that dogs are sentient beings, have feelings and that they are essentially keeping them in prison.
Sadly too, it is not just in Sri Lanka we have seen this with dogs. Similarly in Nicaragua and Portugal. Of course getting back to the “all is relative” truism, at least people don’t eat dogs here, like they do in Viet Nam. There were no skinny dogs in Viet Nam. Anyhow I personally believe that if we can impact one life of one animal soul, then it is worth the effort. I find it harder to walk away and ignore the pain. Luna agrees entirely with this philosophy!
Peta
Fascinating. Love your bathroom. 🙂
Just to get this straight: A South-African married with a Frog? 😉
(I’m a frog myself)
Congrats on the dog. And a lovely blog.
Merci. Dankie.
Welcome to Green Global Trek. Just to make things more geographically accurate, a South African married to a frog, who met and lived in the U.S. before living for several years together in Central America (Nicaragua) and before circumventing Asia, winding up in Sri Lanka.
So glad you love our bathroom, we do too.
De rien. And I have no memory as to how to say “you are welcome” in Afrikaans, so I will say to you “de nada” from our years in Nicaragua and “gam eun” from our time in Viet Nam, and “estootie” from Sri Lanka.
Peta
Over the years, we’ve discovered that it’s always wonderful to travel, but it’s also always good to get home. We’ve tried it every way possible: returing to a big house, small house, apartment, and no house. No matter what, it’s always feel nice to get home.
This post is a pleasant glimpse of daily life for you two, and it could be a how-to guide for future expats in Sri Lanka. Also, one thing that struck me was your comparison between India and Sri Lanka. When we visited we expect SL to be much more like India, and it definitely wasn’t. Paradise found I’d say. ~James
I agree wholeheartedly James.. except for when we were on the road for over 1.5 years in SAsia, with no actual “home”… then everywhere was home. Perception was different when we had no home, I have never felt more at home wherever we went!
Most expats probably live a more upscale life in Sri Lanka than we do ~ there are many beautiful villas owned by foreigners. So we no doubt have an atypical expat experience here because of our limited means.
The only part of Sri Lanka which has felt like India to us, is Jaffna way in the North which is Tamil and therefore mostly Hindu and therefore more similar to Tamil Nadu in India than other parts. Despite the geographic proximity there are more dissimilarities between the two countries than similarities. Most fundamentally the fact that Sri Lanka is predominantly Buddhist and is a tiny country. Linguistically, ethically, religiously, economically different.
Thanks James for your thought provoking interesting comments.
Peta
Hi you two! It’s a crazy experience reading this post after we’ve now seen your beautiful home and environment “in person”. It still all feels a little dream-like thinking about doing yoga with you while that storm was brewing, sharing that amazing curry, watching the monkeys, meeting the doggies, using that gorgeous outdoor bathroom that is even better than the pics… We totally get how you’ve fallen in love with this place.
Glad to hear that Ben’s ayurvedic treatments are working! Your adopted dogs are lucky animals and your most recent act of kindness is heartwarming. The one thing that made me sad in Sri Lanka was seeing all the hungry, diseased, maimed dogs. I’m glad to read the happy ending. Thank you for making this happen. Best to you both!
Caroline and Mike it was such a pleasure to meet you both and have you dip into our lives for a few days. We SO enjoyed sharing our little piece of Sri Lanka with you!
We feel as though we are the “adopted people” rather than vice versa. As all of these dogs just showed up without any effort on our part. Two of them are from the original “gang” that lived here and once we started feeding them I guess it was inevitable that others would join the crew. They can be noisy, but they also protect us from wild critters and welcome us back each time we step back onto our property…
Look forward to reading about your trip on your blog!! Welcome home.
Peta
Peta! How nice to hear your voice!
What a terrible story about the poor dog. I simply don’t understand how people can be so cruel to a living being. Kudos to you and Ben for persevering to save the poor thing. I’m so glad to hear that he has recovered and doing well.
It is nice to travel and explore, but it is always special returning to the place we call home … although admittedly most of us don’t have this kind of bathroom ‘renovation’ to tend to 🙂
Thanks Joanne.
We see animal abuse all over the world. In the U.S. the most horrific case of animal abuse is one that has been so normalised, that one hardly thinks of it as animal abuse. But the meat industry both beef and chicken, are the epitomy of systemic abuse.
Bottom line, if we can do something even to save one animal, once we are confronted with it, then it is our obligation to speak up and do what we can as animals need advocates.
Our bathroom is the part of our house that I miss when we are travelling, as it is my absolutely favorite place to shower and start the day… Everyone should have a toilet under the stars! (Okay maybe not so practical if one lives in Chicago or Toronto.. ) 🙂
Peta
What a great story about the dog. You both did a wonderful thing.
Totally agree with your comment about relativity up top. We’ve been travelling full-time now for 5 years…but after all this time we still sometimes fall in the trap of comparing a place to the last place we’ve been, forgetting the place we’d been before.
Thanks for stopping by to read us and for your comments.
So many animals that we pass along our travels that are being abused or suffering and we are not able to help. They often stay with me in my mind, so it’s easier for me to take action, than not.
Peta
Thinking about you guys today x
Thank you Anabel for thinking of us. We are in the U.S. visiting family but deeply saddened and shocked at the senseless violence and loss of innocent lives. A very sad and tragic day for Sri Lanka.
Peta
‘Hope you’re all right, and no-one you know has been involved in the murderous attack on Sri Lanka. When will the madness cease?
Thank you for your concern and thinking of us. We are fine, happen to be visiting family in the U.S.
Sadly the world no longer has anywhere safe. We are all vulnerable.
Peta
Dear Peta and Ben, Blessings, sweetness, love, courage and strength to you, your friends, and neighbors in the aftermath of this horrendous attack. xxoo
Thank you Jet for such a thoughtful and loving message. Our hearts and thoughts are with those that have lost family and friends. Tragic day for Sri Lanka.
Peta
Hi Peta and Ben,
I’m so very saddened and despairing of the terrorist attacks yesterday in Sri Lanka. Hoping you are safe and well, not sure what other words will convey my worry for the safety of the citizens of the country. Sending prayers for peace and consolation for those who lost family and friends.
Shari
Thanks Sharon for your very thoughtful message. It is the safety of the citizens of the world – we are all vulnerable, as nowhere is safe. It has been determined that ISIS were behind the attacks, as retaliation for the mosque attack in New Zealand. We have to pray there will be no further retaliation in country. I really appreciate your reaching out to us… thank you. Our hearts are with those who have lost family and friends. The country is in mourning.
Peta
It makes my heart sing to know that sweet doggie is doing so much better. You both are such an inspiration on how to get involved in your adopted country while still respecting the local customs. So many expats isolate themselves from the everyday life.
In some ways we feel as though we live in our little bubble of a house, like most people do, anywhere. It is a refuge from the outside energy of the world. Yet, because we get around by motorscooter, it is a mode of transportation which lends itself to interaction with locals, constantly.
Peta
Your outdoor bathroom is lovely. I can imagine that multiple baths and showers each day would be a great relief from the heat, and in such a pretty spot.
Jude