Finally, A Little Vacation

http://www.angsana.com/en/maldives_ihuru/ says it all. Nothing but a tiny island in the Maldives, entirely encircled by a reef to which we can swim easily. Three days here is what we need. Nothing to do except snorkel. No Buddhas.
The last phase of Sri Lanka was mixed, a pleasant day in tea country at a cool elevation above 6000 feet, an unpleasant overnight in Galle due to the deceit of a Bed and Breakfast, a beautiful stop at the gardens of the late Geoffrey Bawa (architect of the Hotel Kandalama) in Bentota - on the way back to Colombo and then a good night back in Colombo at the understatedly elegant Lake Lodge. Then a 4AM departure for the Maldives with a two-hour flight delay. But after that - genuine relaxation.

View from Room Window, Tea Factory Hotel, Nurawa Eliya, Sri Lanka

Hotel was a nice adaptation of an old tea factory but a little pretentious in its room door plaques.

Some nice scenery in the high country of Sri Lanka

A small piece of the beautiful Bawa Gardens in Bentota, nearly impossible to find without help from locals.

A great design by Bawa,, made from ordinary corrugated roof sheeting.

Schoolgirls on way to school at 7AM in Galle - the only charming sight I saw there.

Insane shower at the wretched B&B in Galle. Hot only from one head. Cold only from the other. I reviewed it on Trip Advisor http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g297896-d3462701-Reviews-Pedlar62_Guest_House-Galle_Galle_District_Southern_Province.html

Angsana Ihuru in the Maldives