End of the journey

Well, it is the final full day for the team in Sri Lanka.  This is the end of an epic journey which started two years ago when everyone signed up for the expedition.  This whole trip wouldn't have been possible without the support of family, friends, staff and the wider school community - a huge 'thank you' to everyone!

Team 3

The team at Bakers Waterfall, Horton National Park, Nuwara Eliya

Adam's Peak

A massive congratulations to the entire team following their successful ascent of Adam's Peak.  This was a mammoth effort by everyone - 5880 steps (11,760 up and down) and a round trek of 16km completed in little over 5hrs this morning.  A vertical ascent of this revered landmark was incredible.

Mandy and I are very proud of the whole team.

At the top of Adam's Peak

Nuwara Eliya

Today is the team's final day in Nuwara Eliya.  We've spent the last three days exploring the countryside with a couple of walks (tea plantations) and a visit to Horton National Park.  The climate in this part of Sri Lanka has been very much like Scotland - a relief from the stifling heat of Kandy.

Breakfast at the national park yesterday saw the team being joined by a Sambar deer.  The park was created by big game hunter and colonialist Horton.  The herds of elephants gave disappeared from the park - a result of the colonists love of hunting - but it is still home to leopards.  Unfortunately, the team's singing meant we had no chance of seeing these shy animals!

The watetfalls at Baker Falls were beautiful, but it was the spectacular views from World's End which were really well worthcthectrek in the national park.  A 0.5 mile shear drop was not for the faint-hearted.

Our next stop is Dalhousie when the team take on the challenge of Adam's Peak...all 5220 steps.

Tea plantation, Nuwara Eliya

World's End platform, Horton National Park

World's End, Horton Nationsl Park

Sambar deer

Trekking completed!

The team arrived back in Kandy this afternoon following their four days of trekking through The Knuckles Range.  Everyone is elated but tired after their exertions on trek.  The team trekked through some spectacular countryside and, fortunately, the colder weather helped the team achieve their goals.

A great effort by everyone!

Goodbye Pinnagolla

The team said goodbye to the project tonight.  The team have made a lasting contribution to the 840 strong community.  This has been a great opportunity for the team to work alongside the community - hard work in the searing heat.

The team exchanged gifts, handshakes and lots of smiles tonight with our hosts.  The team managed to get the local community participating in Strip the Willow; the team were serenaded by the community with the Sri Lankan national anthem.

The team have really gained a lot from working alongside the community...and being fed by the local families.  The project will be finished in the next three or four days and we look forward to seeing the finished pavillion.

Thanks to the Pinnagolla community for their hpspitality.

The project hosts and workers

Cooking up a storm

Wednesday provided the team with a very memorable meal - Sri Lankan dishes cooked by each member of the team (yes, there is photographic evidence for those of you disbelievers!)

The pupils spent three hard hours creating their Sri Lankan feast at a cookery school in Kandy.  The recipes - copies of which will be brought home and shared - imcluded the creation of a jack fruit (kerikose) curry,  sambols, rotis, butter cake, chocolate biscuit pudding, hoppers, fish curry, string hoppers, chicken curry, tuna chilli balls, three bean curry, spicy potatoes, daal and papadams.  A feast fit for a hungry team.

 For some of the team this was a daunting task but everyone enjoyed the challenge.  Working with unfamiliar foods, spices and equipment certainly didn't hold the team back.  Even setting fire to a tablecloth didn't upset the team.

The best authenticate meal of the trip so far.

Visit to Talatuoya Tamil Maha Vidyalayam

Today we visited a school called Talatuoya Tamil Maha Vidyalayam in Thalathyoya, 10km out of Kandy. It was a very eye opening experience seeing how fortunate we are in Scotland and everything we take for granted. We were welcomed into the school by both pupils and staff, it was very refreshing seeing children enjoy and appreciate education and what they have even though it is not that much. The children as well as us were extremely excited to meet each other, it was extremely sweet and funny getting asked for autographs from the children.

The experience in Sri Lanka keeps gradually getting better and better.
Melissa. :)

Project- Thalathuoya

Arrived at the project site on Saturday and met with Lasanda, our inn-country agent.  The team have found out that they will be helping to construct a pavillion for the local community.

Thalathuoya is a small village approximately 30mins outside of Kandy.  The community is only 200 strong.  The team met with the head of the village - a man who can influence the job prospects of the villagers.

We found out a bit about the thirty years wat between the Tamils and Sri Lankans.  Things were so bad that our in-country agent's son hadn''t travelled on public transport.  Fortunately, the local village didn"t suffer too badly as a result of the conflict.

The foundations of the pavillion have beem built and we will aim to add the roof; build steps and landscape the ground.

Next Chapter

Over the past few days we have enjoyed the peaceful streets of Dambulla and then the hectic slums of Kandy. We climbed Sigiriya Rock, which produced a clear panoramic view of the local landscape. We enjoyed some very unique and authenti

c Sinhales food, for example string hoppers, curries and exotic fruits, such as Jack fruit.  We have visited local markets in Kandy and haggled lots of bargains.  On the way to Kandy we visited a local spice garden where we tasted various local spices.

Matthew, Ross & Gavin

Arrived

The team arrived at about 4pm yesterday - it is very hot.  Everyone was tired from the long trip but a dip in the pool and/sea worked wonders.

First curry of the trip was a gorgeous pork curry which had several accompanying vegetable dishes.

Off to Dambulla to visit the caves later today and tomorrow.

Team 3 - Our Sri Lankan Adventure, 2016

Welcome to the blog of Team 3 - Bell Baxter HS - as we embark on our Sri Lankan adventure.  We won't be able to make a post every day but we will publish something when we get the chance.  We hope you will all enjoy our expedition with us!


Arron, Gavin, Connor, Ross, Matthew, Melissa, Morven, Freya, Mhairi, Anna, Phoebe, Rory, Finlay, Jamie, Innes, Mandy (school staff), Carol (school staff) & Adam (EL).