28th July

40-minutes later and I am in Sri Lanka. What a beautiful lush green island surrounded by the Indian Ocean. Straight away we were picked up, taken to lunch and then off to the Slimline garment factory that makes underwear for shops like Victoria’s Secret, Marks and Spencer (UK) GAP and many other high profile shops. It was not as I expected and they really did a great job of providing support and extra activities for the young lady workers. I mean travel and food daily, bonus payments for production targets, a gym and sports field, and a great clean and safe environment. Typically, these girls only stay at the factory until they earn enough for a dowry or to start college. I am pleased that the owners value their workers and treat them accordingly. I am extremely happy that their customers also are willing to pay a little extra so this can happen, too.

We then traveled 4 hours North to Hotel Heritance in Kandallama. This is an incredible place reported to be the best in Sri Lanka. It is 100% eco friendly and it was built into a rock. We are looking forward to seeing it in day light so we can appreciate it fully. It has 3 swimming pools and amazing food. This is indeed a bonus. We will travel to sites of interest from here including tomorrow when we visit the place where Buddhism started. We have an incredible gentleman joining us and he will instruct us at the site.

I just read a sign on the window which says “Do not feed the monkeys!!” This is exciting as long as I am inside and they are out.

Signing off and collapsing in bed at 11:00pm as we have another early star tomorrow.