Gone fishing
25th August 2010
Today Chaminda suggested Aaron and I have a
day off since we had spent the last seven days on project work and the programme for today was cancelled. We had spent five days weeding pineapples, one day on a skills development programme for children and one day on a programme in a village in the dry zone. The programmes had not been too demanding and the long breaks during the days we are farming meant that it hardly felt like we had been working for the last seven days, but we didn't want to turn down the opportunity for a break. After a lazy start to the day, compared to our usual 6.30 am, we asked Chaminda for suggestions of where to go and he recommended Batalagoda Water Tank, a lake just a few km away.
We caught a ride to the reservoir in the DDC mini van that was on it's way somewhere further afield. They pointed out the best areas for swimming, but Aaron and I decided not to swim since the murky wetland was not too appealing. We did however find a lo
vely secluded picnic spot in the shady foliage that fringed the edge of the beautiful lake. From there we had a view of the lake reflecting the blue sky filled with cirrus white clouds and the green reeds and lilly pads that adorned the edge of the water. In the background the dark picturesque mountains rose up majestically. We heard the bray of a water buffalo and saw a couple of the animals a few meters away placidly munching on the greenery.
We sat for a while relaxing, playing travel games and nibbling on bites (snacks) until we were spotted by a trio of eager junior (middle) school age boys, who began peppering us with questions. They were intrigued by our little magnetic board game and insisted on showing us the Sri Lankan version of checkers. The game apparently reminds Aaron of the Georgian rules, though he's not certain if they are rules or just cheating! At first I enjoyed the boys friendly inquisitiveness but after a while it got tiring and we began to hint at wanting to be left alone. Unfortunately the boys didn't pick-up on our subtle comments so eventually we stood up and bid them goodbye. We began to stroll around the perimeter of the lake, looking for another good spot and wondering how far we could walk around the reservoir. At the far end of the lake the dust path continued straight ahead and there was no route wrapping the waters
edge. We continued on the road in the hope that it might connect to a small village with a cafe where we could purchase some lunch.
It was a warm day, but not too hot and it rained intermittently but not for long enough to warrant turning back. We passed by a few gaudy Bhuddist shrines at the side of the road. We kept walking and taking a left turn where possible until we reached a tiny village, Mologoreh. There was no cafe, but there was a stall where I brought some bananas to sustain us. The road that returned to the lake was a dead-end, but we did find some very interesting looking fishing boats. The vessels were made from a hollowed out tree trunk with a log attached by vine to horizontal supports on one side, which provided balance to the narrow craft. As Aaron and I studied the boats curiously a few women and children from the village gathered behind us. A lady in a blue sari offered enthusiastically to take us out in the boat, Aaron was reluctant, but I eagerly accepted.
The friendly lady, who unfortunately I forgot her name, ushered us back inland and into her house. There she served us with a fizzy pomegranate drink, bananas and cake. I was a little confused, perhaps I had misunderstood her, however the refreshment was more than welcome since we hadn't found any lunch yet. Yesterday when we visited a village in the dry zone with the DDC we had noticed how few houses had invited us in for tea, compared to the number of people who would have in Georgia, however this village put Sri Lanka back in the contest for hospitability. The juice and cake were shop brought which I thought was very generous since this did not appear a wealthy village. At her house we were introduced to all her relatives, but I got rather lost with all the many names of siblings, cousins, children and babies. Apparently the men were all out at work, I believe mostly farmers, except her husband who was laid up in bed.
We were then lead back out to the reservoir where she paddled us out on the lake one by one. I had a try at paddling with the wooden ore, which was a lot thinner than a kayak blade and found the boat very difficult to manoeuvre. After going around in a couple of circles I handed control back to my experienced guide who paddled hard through the breeze to get us bac
k to shore. The boat was so narrow that it was a tight fit for Aaron to put his legs inside the hollow. The kind lady also offered that we could stay the night, but we graciously declined and headed out on the long walk back before it got dark. We waved good bye to the small crowd of women and children who had now collected around us and retraced our steps back to the DDC. To have had just a small glimpse of village life completely by accident was immensely enjoyable.
Today Chaminda suggested Aaron and I have a
day off since we had spent the last seven days on project work and the programme for today was cancelled. We had spent five days weeding pineapples, one day on a skills development programme for children and one day on a programme in a village in the dry zone. The programmes had not been too demanding and the long breaks during the days we are farming meant that it hardly felt like we had been working for the last seven days, but we didn't want to turn down the opportunity for a break. After a lazy start to the day, compared to our usual 6.30 am, we asked Chaminda for suggestions of where to go and he recommended Batalagoda Water Tank, a lake just a few km away.We caught a ride to the reservoir in the DDC mini van that was on it's way somewhere further afield. They pointed out the best areas for swimming, but Aaron and I decided not to swim since the murky wetland was not too appealing. We did however find a lo
vely secluded picnic spot in the shady foliage that fringed the edge of the beautiful lake. From there we had a view of the lake reflecting the blue sky filled with cirrus white clouds and the green reeds and lilly pads that adorned the edge of the water. In the background the dark picturesque mountains rose up majestically. We heard the bray of a water buffalo and saw a couple of the animals a few meters away placidly munching on the greenery.We sat for a while relaxing, playing travel games and nibbling on bites (snacks) until we were spotted by a trio of eager junior (middle) school age boys, who began peppering us with questions. They were intrigued by our little magnetic board game and insisted on showing us the Sri Lankan version of checkers. The game apparently reminds Aaron of the Georgian rules, though he's not certain if they are rules or just cheating! At first I enjoyed the boys friendly inquisitiveness but after a while it got tiring and we began to hint at wanting to be left alone. Unfortunately the boys didn't pick-up on our subtle comments so eventually we stood up and bid them goodbye. We began to stroll around the perimeter of the lake, looking for another good spot and wondering how far we could walk around the reservoir. At the far end of the lake the dust path continued straight ahead and there was no route wrapping the waters
edge. We continued on the road in the hope that it might connect to a small village with a cafe where we could purchase some lunch.It was a warm day, but not too hot and it rained intermittently but not for long enough to warrant turning back. We passed by a few gaudy Bhuddist shrines at the side of the road. We kept walking and taking a left turn where possible until we reached a tiny village, Mologoreh. There was no cafe, but there was a stall where I brought some bananas to sustain us. The road that returned to the lake was a dead-end, but we did find some very interesting looking fishing boats. The vessels were made from a hollowed out tree trunk with a log attached by vine to horizontal supports on one side, which provided balance to the narrow craft. As Aaron and I studied the boats curiously a few women and children from the village gathered behind us. A lady in a blue sari offered enthusiastically to take us out in the boat, Aaron was reluctant, but I eagerly accepted.
The friendly lady, who unfortunately I forgot her name, ushered us back inland and into her house. There she served us with a fizzy pomegranate drink, bananas and cake. I was a little confused, perhaps I had misunderstood her, however the refreshment was more than welcome since we hadn't found any lunch yet. Yesterday when we visited a village in the dry zone with the DDC we had noticed how few houses had invited us in for tea, compared to the number of people who would have in Georgia, however this village put Sri Lanka back in the contest for hospitability. The juice and cake were shop brought which I thought was very generous since this did not appear a wealthy village. At her house we were introduced to all her relatives, but I got rather lost with all the many names of siblings, cousins, children and babies. Apparently the men were all out at work, I believe mostly farmers, except her husband who was laid up in bed.
We were then lead back out to the reservoir where she paddled us out on the lake one by one. I had a try at paddling with the wooden ore, which was a lot thinner than a kayak blade and found the boat very difficult to manoeuvre. After going around in a couple of circles I handed control back to my experienced guide who paddled hard through the breeze to get us bac
k to shore. The boat was so narrow that it was a tight fit for Aaron to put his legs inside the hollow. The kind lady also offered that we could stay the night, but we graciously declined and headed out on the long walk back before it got dark. We waved good bye to the small crowd of women and children who had now collected around us and retraced our steps back to the DDC. To have had just a small glimpse of village life completely by accident was immensely enjoyable.
Comments
MW
We didn't have much problem with the mosquitoes in the day, just in the evening, so it wasn't too bad.