Journey of life: February 2022

Abida Rahmani

February 2-3 2022

Trip to Srilanka was announced in December by Major Tariq Hayat and I decided to take this opportunity and join them. His organizational abilities are no doubt superb. With launching "amazing Lanka " WhatsApp group ,information and questions were poured in.

In the meantime I visited Karachi for two weeks and caught some cold flu from there. On my arrival I tested negative however with fever,body aches and upset stomach ,it was considered Omicron. It was a sheer good luck that I got recovered two weeks earlier.

During this Covid period travel requirements and protocol has changed a lot, yet unpredictable if one turned out positive .

It happened with our group members . Two of them turned positive in Pakistan and two in Srilanka . It caused them a lot of hassle and stress.

After recovery started preparation for the trip. At the same time travel to Lahore from Islamabad to catch the early morning flight was under consideration . Many members opted to reach Lahore by themselves .I and Shaheen were assured by Tariq and Basar that we would travel along them.

Finally it was decided to travel by train or Railcar to Lahore. Major Farrukh had booked the seats. The train was leaving at 6pm from Rawalpindi. I started from home at F-10 Islamabad at 4:30 . Got stucked in a standstill traffic and the driver took another long route with anxious moments and calls from Tariq and Basar, the train was missed. Reaching Chaklala station was impossible, he advised to take the 7pm Daewoo bus. Luckily got the bus five minutes earlier. It was Reaching Lahore at 11:30 pm. My brother Farooq arranged for my pickup from Thokar Niaz Beg to the airport. On my way when Nabil asked me, " are you going back to America?" He was surprised with my answer.

"نہیں میں سری لنکا گھومنے پھرنے جارہی ہوں "

He looked at me cautiously.

After reaching the airport got connected with the group. All is well that ends well

Now I repent for not taking a flight to Lahore and all that hassle could be avoided . I have sufficient PIA'S award miles in my account.

The flight left at 4:30 am. The flight crew was nice, wearing exotic uniforms.

Found empty seats in the middle row and lied down for a couple of hours.

Srilankan time is 1/2 an hour ahead of us.

Arrived at Colombo at 8:30 . Went through immigration and all the requirements, Two buses , two guides Jaan one and Jaan two received us with garlands of beautiful,sweet smelling addendum flowers.

It was quite hot and humid here.Took off all our wollies but couldn't get a chance to change.

Our first night stop over was at " Cinnamon village resort hotel Habarana"

Anuradhapur province. It was a six hours drive from here. After some time we stopped for a nice Srilankan breakfast of eggs, parathas, daal etc. More like Pakistani taste.

On our way then stopped at Pannawala elephants refuge. It was quite interesting .After watching all the elephants enjoying water at the river ,at the shelter and hospital, it was quite a fun. Bought yellow coconut, had the water with a straw. Then asked the seller to take out fruit from the shell. It was amazing .

Brought one for Shaheen however she didn't like it.

Coconuts are in abundance and coconut milk is used in cooking

Srilankan are generally petite and smart people with high literacy rate almost 99,%.

The population is low and the county is clean and organized.

It was almost 5:30 pm that we reached Habarana at the hotel. Dead tired but excited with the greenery, new country, environment and group members.

The dinner was sumptuous with vast options.

We had to leave at 9:30 while another small group of youngsters were supposed to climb Sigria Lions Rock at 7:30