The entire day was a study in relaxation. And this is not an easy task for a Type A personality like me. I like to keep moving because there is so much I want to do, to accomplish, to experience.
But: yesterday.
A morning walk at the beach, sand between toes and feeling the briny air toss our hair and coat our skin, led to a fine do-nothing day.
We transitioned from the pristine pool to the patio table to the beach and back again. This was our work for the day. Because I have a hard time relaxing, I usually say that when I am 'accomplishing nothing' then I am finally relaxing. Yesterday I was truly chillen out.
Even dinner was as laid back an event as could be. The beach shack restaurant that Rachel and Tim had scoped out the night before became our cuisine du jour.
Our table had already been set on the sand by the time we arrived, and our server (a young German woman who had come for holiday and decided to stay longer) took our drink order. Pretty soon, a car backed out of the driveway headed for the kade' down the street where beer was sold, returning with the bottles we asked for.
Meanwhile in the kitchen, the chef/proprietor Jani cleaned and fried an enormous snapper fish. How he seasoned it and cooked it crisp on the outside and succulent juicy on the inside was a culinary mystery. Then the sweet & sour prawns arrived, along with rice and bowls of dhal, tempered potatoes, coconut sambol and salad. When the large bowl of prawn curry was finally set on the table, we dove right in.
Using the implements nature gave us and eschewing the metal forks and knives on the table, we enthusiastically, barbarically peeled shrimp with our fingers and ate. And ate.
Across the ocean, the sun set in pink, steel grey and blue. Even our sunset was lazy and subdued.
When dinner was finished (by this I mean plates were empty except for shells and bones) two guys - exact job description unknown - piled wood high and lit a bonfire. From our table we could feel the gusts of warmth brought in by the ocean breeze.
Returning to the hotel, we all met in the lounge overlooking the pool for a nightcap of tea and buttery sweet biscuits and planned the next day when we'd be thrust headlong into the chaos and tumult that is Colombo. Big city, here we come!
But: yesterday.
A morning walk at the beach, sand between toes and feeling the briny air toss our hair and coat our skin, led to a fine do-nothing day.
We transitioned from the pristine pool to the patio table to the beach and back again. This was our work for the day. Because I have a hard time relaxing, I usually say that when I am 'accomplishing nothing' then I am finally relaxing. Yesterday I was truly chillen out.
Even dinner was as laid back an event as could be. The beach shack restaurant that Rachel and Tim had scoped out the night before became our cuisine du jour.
Our table had already been set on the sand by the time we arrived, and our server (a young German woman who had come for holiday and decided to stay longer) took our drink order. Pretty soon, a car backed out of the driveway headed for the kade' down the street where beer was sold, returning with the bottles we asked for.
Meanwhile in the kitchen, the chef/proprietor Jani cleaned and fried an enormous snapper fish. How he seasoned it and cooked it crisp on the outside and succulent juicy on the inside was a culinary mystery. Then the sweet & sour prawns arrived, along with rice and bowls of dhal, tempered potatoes, coconut sambol and salad. When the large bowl of prawn curry was finally set on the table, we dove right in.
Using the implements nature gave us and eschewing the metal forks and knives on the table, we enthusiastically, barbarically peeled shrimp with our fingers and ate. And ate.
Across the ocean, the sun set in pink, steel grey and blue. Even our sunset was lazy and subdued.
When dinner was finished (by this I mean plates were empty except for shells and bones) two guys - exact job description unknown - piled wood high and lit a bonfire. From our table we could feel the gusts of warmth brought in by the ocean breeze.
Returning to the hotel, we all met in the lounge overlooking the pool for a nightcap of tea and buttery sweet biscuits and planned the next day when we'd be thrust headlong into the chaos and tumult that is Colombo. Big city, here we come!
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