Sri Lanka: Cultural do's and don'ts

Don't eat your curry with your left hand. Don't look at anyone in the eye. Never smile when you see the mobile bakery drive past. They'll turn around and come back for you. Donuts and all. 

Always order the opposite of what you actually want. That way you'll than receive it. Don't get worried about the hour long wait. Your on island time.

Expect to have your photo taken (anywhere). A rude finger won't stop the camera clicking so just go along with it. But don't smile.

If you ask to get some washing down at 09.30 am, don't expect it to happen today. But maybe tomorrow.

When a Tuk Tuk driver asks you if you want to go to another break for surfing the next day, even if you just say, maybe, they'll take this as a written contract and be waiting for you the next morning. 

Although I've also said, no, and even then they were waiting the next morning.

Listen to the locals when they warn you that there are crocs living in the river. They just didn't say that there were at least 30.

And when you do eat your curry with your left hand (yep, I'm going to blame it on the face that I am left handed), expect to have an Austrian draw a random picture of you trying to eat your curry.

Toodle pip x

Me eating a curry (not a carrot)

The crazy Austrian with his work of art?

Mobile bakery.

Never order what you actually want.

Arugam Bay: End of Ramadan and sea time.

Today marks the end of Ramandan. This afternoon the festival begins.

Last night I noticed the start of the celebrations kicking in. Fireworks were let off down the main street of Arugam Bay. Walking along to the best local curry house, a woman in a sari approached me smiling her head off. I was able to make out through hand gestures and broken English that she wanted me to give her 'good greetings' for tomorrows celebrations.

It feels like everyone is off to a wedding today. All the men working at my accommodation have had their haircut, a wearing clean patta vetty, the shirt and long (sarong) like cloth they tie around their waist. 

Most people will be finishing work early this afternoon to spent the remainder of the day with extended families for feasting and rejoicing that they've made it through another Ramandan.

I can't imagine how bad the indigestion will be afterwards.

As I write this, Hassan, dressed in his crisp white shirt and hat, approached me to say that he is off for the day now. And if anyone comes to enquire about accommodation or check-in, if I can call them. How I'll call them I don't know as no number has been left. I joke to him that I am now the Manager. He laughs his head off. It's the first time I've actually seen him smile. 

It's going to be an interesting afternoon. 

Toodle pip x

Getting to grips again on a baby wave at Elephant point (note our Tuk Tuk driver in the background who was yelling instruction on what wave to catch).

Elephant point.

Elephant point.

Drinks shack at Elephant point.

Arugam Bay (main point in the distance).

Tuk Tuk convoy. 

Okanda (highly recommend).

Okanda.

Okanda.

Okanda.