Page 29 - Seniors Today
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A weeklong trip was too short. On the Water sports are a great attraction because
run every day, we packed in pretty much. of the beautiful beaches with good facilities.
Still too much was left out …… and didn’t However these activities are not for the
have enough time to lounge leisurely senior tourist, unless you have a strong
on the beaches of Bentota savouring the heart. Paragliding, parasailing, banana boats
magnificent sunshine and the sunsets, etc. are available for the enthusiasts.
soaking ourselves or relaxing in the sun, The one thing even all seniors can do is
sand and salt water. Covering just a small go for a boat ride on Madu River which
part, we only saw Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, includes the visit to the mangroves.
Bentota and Colombo - south western part of Although getting into that boat and getting
the island country. The north, where Jaffna out of it is a bit precarious... It’s manageable
is situated, is out of bounds as it is. with some help which is always available.
A visit to one of the Sea Turtle The river is a big one and the total ride takes
Conservation Projects was one of the about an hour and half. Dotted with many
highlights for me.... The whole of the big and small islands in it. We were shown
southern coast of Sri Lanka is famous the smallest one with a Hindu temple on it,
for breeding of Sea Turtles, which are we also so one with s big statue of Buddha
endangered due to various reasons. Out with a Stupa - Pagoda ( a Buddhist temple)
of every 130 eggs a she turtle lays, only The best halt was at the Cinnamon Island,
30 or so will see adulthood. We saw two which is full of cinnamon trees. We got the
types. The Oliver Ridley and the Green strong aroma of the spice even before we
Turtles. The new born babies are released disembarked. Then we were shown how the
into the sea only once they are bigger and spice is obtained from the barks, dried and
the chances of their survival are more. packed - All done by hand. We also bought
These sanctuaries also rescue and take care some cinnamon sticks, powder and oil from
of injured and sick turtles. Holding the there, pure and un-adulterated.
new born babies in my hand was quite an
experience!
Turtle farm Ride through mangroves on madu river
SENIORS TODAY | ISSUE #68 | FEBRUARY 2025 29
