Alan's back home & he bought some much needed kitchen appliances from Germany. 

YAY... new toys for Otoko.

Mortar & Pestle is good, but a chopper/blender not only gives better consistency to the end product... it's a time saver. The chopper is definitely the one that gets abused very often. We've killed 3 sets in 3 years.

I have been searching around for a good waffle maker - particularly for making Belgium Waffle.

Alan's found me the perfect one. While I am happy with our first attempt, we will definitely tweak the recipe a little more to get that perfect Belgium Waffle.

We finally reached Ella at about 8pm, spent almost the whole day travelling (except stopping for lunch mid-way) from Trinco towards Ella. From our very outdated (Year 2003) Lonely Planet guide, we decided to stay at Ambiente. It was a nice little guesthouse with panoramic views to die for, and it wasn't expensive - Rs2600/night (Room only). I have to say that this was the cheapest place we ever stayed in Sri Lanka, and I wouldn't mind going back there again.

Note: There's a new guesthouse called Sky Green Resort further up (about 300metres) that have better views (Rs3100/night - Room only).

(Above) I was enjoying this view at 9pm, after dinner and sipping my ginger tea.

And I was up early to catch the sunrise (below)

I would like us to have a property here in Ella... have to add this to my wishlist.

I can never get sick of watching Billy Elliot movie over and over again, I am now wishing I were back in Sydney & watching the musical production.

If you haven't even watched the movie: Billy Elliot.

You should.

Hopefully, by next year, we will have heaps of passionfruits dangling in our vegie garden. I hope to grow some passionfruits from Australia as well, will get the seeds next time.
Just planted seeds for Mint this morning, let's see how it will grow. It requires shades and moist condition, and apparently it can get quite unmanageable. I wonder.
The baby pandanus is now growing and looking healthy, will be able to use them the next time we make Kaya.
Lemon grass grow very well in our garden too, I use them heaps. For cooking, even with rice, for tea, and more...

Saw this really cool (swinging) sort of daybed in Phuket, perhaps we could get this made back home... :)

After more than 3 months of patience and waiting to find a replacement for my lost Treo 600, I have finally bought the Treo 680.

Received a parcel today from Mum in Australia and

that was one of the cutest things that she had written on the calendar.

Thanks Mum... love heaps, Alan n Otoko

That's our bicycle...

It's taken a long while, and my wishlist for a BBQ grill came to fruition and it came just under US$3!!!

Sathees and I bought a 2 by 2 feet metal sheet, and one yard of mesh to create this. All within a day, and we made it with the help of a box cover used for keeping all the reams of A4 paper. It fitted perfectly with an oven rack that was in the house.

Here's a tribute to Sathees and his BaBeQ.

That's going to be our bicycle... soon... I think... still deciding...

After considering and re-considering over the last few months since I got here, I have finally decided that the Bajaj 180cc Red Avenger will be the one that I will buy. Alan is ok with my choice too. Most of you would know that I had a really bad accident in Singapore on 13 June 2001, and that has put me off motorbiking for a long while. Well, the most economical and efficient way to get around Sri Lanka is on a motorbike. I don't intend to use it for long distance biking nor will I be using it for racing. I am too old for that anyway...LOL

I promise I'll be very careful on the road.