June 17,

Yesterday we awoke an repacked our stuff. Went to breakfast at 0900. We had the same meal as the day before, but the fruit was more artistically arranged, having banana bastions, watermelon walls, encompassing pineapple people all in a fruit  fortification!!!  Ha – how's that!! I enjoyed coming up with that! Maybe, I have done too many forts lately?? 

Anyway, we checked out of Hotel Agape at 1030 (that was when the owner lady said she would be back from church.) After we paid she said, “God bless you,” to us. It struck me then she was Christian and it was a blessing to hear it. I often catch myself as I want to say that, but don't because, well… there's no excuse really in the scheme of things except comfort.🤔🤔, hummm…  moving on.

We are heading to Jaffna. It's an easy 2.5 hr. drive, a bit east, mostly north. The roadway is pretty good, as compared to an USA standard highway. We started to stop at a temple along the way, but realized we were both in shorts and this is not allowed… so we just went straight on into Jaffna, and our homestay place, D'Villa Guest House. We pulled up and the  host, Dilan, greeted us and checked us in. Our room is simply a room with two double beds and a bathroom, but it is adjoined/ opening up to a common area with dining tables, a common kettle and coffee/tea service area with a shared refrigerator, and shared patio/balcony area. Our room has AC, but common area does not. We unloaded our stuff and went back out. 

We drove to the Jaffna Dutch Fort. It was a 1,545 Rupees ($5) each entrance fee. This fort was actually built by the Portuguese. When the Dutch captured it from them they rebuilt it – hence the 'Dutch Fort' name. It is an impressive fort, the lay out being pentagonal, or five sided. There is a moat all around it and you can see the ocean and, of course, I see cows peacefully grazing. We actually cross the moat to enter. I imagine this fort would have accommodated a large number of military and been very busy when occupied. One whole outer wall and part of another is in disrepair, but this is due to Sri Lanka's Civil War from late 1980's to early 2000's, not very long ago. Some has been restored, but there is a long ways to go. This is actually crazy to me… it was built on late 1700's – surviving, preserved until 1980's then damaged  – due to conflict, but an internal conflict! We spent a while here, walking its massive ramparts and imagining the walls and complex. The inside is all – a… well, ''maintained yard' with grass and trees. There are derelict, rumbled structures – some labeled – a church, the munitions room, officer's quarters (which is actually labeled Queen's Palace), but all are hard to see due to the damage. 

We left here, time for late lunch/dinner. We wanted Shawarma. Google had an answer for us. It was in a mall type structure's food court. So we went and found – Arabia King had a spit of chicken. We each ordered one and found a table. We were the only foreigners here. Pretty much everyone else was getting from the KFC! No joke, it is very popular in Sri Lanka. Well, we have eaten at a KFC twice since we have been here. That was probably as many times as we ate there in the US!!! (We preferred Popeyes, but still…) As we were eating, I did mention I would not have minded some French fries. Sooo, Jeff went to the KFC and got French fries – that's now three times, technically 😂🤣- just trying to fit in!!

We finished and went down stairs to the Cargill's store. Located what we needed and back to our place to settle in. We met the housekeeper, Hilda, as she introduced herself. She said if we need anything to let her know. Then we had light supper -crackers and fruit. I did a video with my mother and then we did a ZOOM with our church back home. Bed by 2300.

Today, we were able to video with our sisters. Then we had a light breakfast of yogurt, chocolate milk, cookies, coffee/hot chocolate. We did not leave until noonish.

We decided it was a good day to go to the northernmost point- at Sakkotei Cape. (this was how it was spelled on one official sign, another official sign had it spelled two other ways – on the same sign!??)  Anyway, there were lots of Indian(?) tourists here. So we did our photo op and then went out on the rocky beach here a bit, seeing a few crabs skittering/scattering about. Then left to another site – Point Pedro Lighthouse. Again it was gated around it, and in a Naval Area. (Jeff later found out that most of the lighthouses are now the property of the Sri Lankan Navy. This explained a lot!) I saw above the main door that this lighthouse is from 1931. Then just above this is a marked line that read Tsunami 2004! WOW! That meant a wave or waves of around 8 feet!! Wild to see that! So glad I was not here then! It is not open to the public and obviously no lighthouses are that belong to the Navy. We next went to Moorkkam Beach. It was deserted, but was actually a good clean beach. We did step on it, but we were not in a beach vibe so we loaded back into CB – our car, and went on. We tried to find a lunch spot, but struck out. Arrived at the last place on our agenda, Kankesanthurai Lighthouse. It was build in 1892, not as tall and actually pretty slender profile. It also needs a new coat of paint, makes it seem really abandoned! 

From here we head back to Jaffna. We had almost given up on finding a lunch spot, when we saw one, Momondo. We stopped and ordered a large Chicken Kottu to split. When we got it – it was huge! It came heaping on a large 12 inch platter! 🤯 Glad we had not ordered anything else! We enjoyed, almost finishing it all.😋😂

Arriving back at our place, we went up to the patio, as our room cooled down and had a much needed siesta! Another person came out and we conversed quite awhile. His name was Paul and he was another Kiwi! He went off for supper and we went back to our room. I finished this Blog and we had a light supper. Plan on bed early as I have not slept well for last three nights – I'm tired, but very thankful to take in so many places, and wonders.