HeART of Sri Lanka

This Microtrip was all about immersing ourselves in the vibrant art, culture, and history of Central Sri Lanka. Through a series of engaging activities, we aimed to explore the works of renowned artists like Laki Senanayake and Geoffrey Bawa while delving into the architectural marvels, temple visits, and historical sites that define this beautiful region.

Day 1

the journey from Colombo to Kandy

We left the school bright and early at 5:30 AM to catch our train to Kandy, a four-hour journey ahead of us. Getting on the train with kids from school was quite the experience, though it wasn’t exactly the peaceful ride I had in mind. Sitting behind Jed definitely wasn’t the “Prime Position”.

Leaving Colombo, there was a subtle shift in the weather, hinting at the adventures awaiting us in Kandy. The train journey was quite the mix – while the MYPs found peace in sleep, we DP1 students battled to rest, resorting to wandering the aisles and snacking to stay awake. Once we arrived at our destination, we eagerly walked to the tooth temple, ready.

India/Lanka Friendship

I couldn’t help but think that Ms. Eagle must ha

ve somehow arranged for the weather to be perfect on our first day of the week without walls. As we strolled towards the tooth temple, our group of teenagers seemed unusually content, with not a single complaint heard. Conversations flowed freely, covering the most random topics, making it the perfect icebreaker.

Exploring Kandy, we encountered numerous European-style architects, with the Queen Hotel standing prominently across from the temple entrance. I’m especially grateful to Mr. Marlon and Dimath (my favorite) for guiding us through the temple and sharing their insights.

Though I had visited the temple before, the crowds had previously prevented me from truly appreciating its architecture. Returning to Kandy, particularly on an art-oriented trip, allowed me to savor the temple’s space and design. Sketching out a spot in our journals provided a unique opportunity for introspection, even though we couldn’t view the relic directly. This experience deepened my understanding of religion and culture, enriching my journey in unexpected ways.

Helga’s (not so haunted) Haunted House

Switching to rest mode, we concluded our outdoor time with lunch at Vito’s Pizza before heading to Helga’s Folly, our most anticipated location. The grade above talked about the place being haunted and shared funny stories from Google reviews of Helga’s Folly.

As soon as we walked in, we were thrilled to see all the newspaper articles, paintings, books, notes, and art left behind by previous guests. Contrary to expectations, Helga’s Folly felt more like stepping into the world of Alice in Wonderland, especially with the themed paintings adorning the walls.

The guys dozed off for a solid four hours in their rooms, while the rest of us explored every corner of Helga’s Folly. After settling in, we kicked off our second art activity: a session with local artist Rudrani Devi Das. She was incredibly talented, her paintings vibrant and feminine. Those who painted with her picked up new tricks and were drawn to using vibrant colors. I decided to skip painting and instead went for a walk with Dimath, capturing photos of the painted walls and the different flowers in the garden (Inaturalist update coming soon).

That afternoon was the highlight of my day. I e

njoyed the relaxed atmosphere, and before dinner, we decided to watch “Slumdog Millionaire” in the mini theatre room, courtesy of Mr. Hentz. Aryaa and I had fun translating and making sense of the movie for everyone watching. unfortunately, it was time for dinner, It would have been great to finish it, but I guess this was our version of leaving things unfinished.

Day 2

Beyond Batik

As we reluctantly left Helga’s Folly behind, our next destination beckoned: the Baba Batik factory. Here, we delved into the art of batik, immersing ourselves in its rich history and the meticulous process of its creation. Batik, a time-honored tradition in Sri Lanka, carries with it centuries of cultural significance, reflecting the diverse influences that have shaped the island’s heritage.

At the Baba Batik factory, we were afforded a glimpse into the intricate techniques behind batik production. From the waxing and dyeing stages to the delicate patterning process, each step revealed the dedication and expertise required to produce these exquisite textiles. The opportunity to create our own batik prints was both exciting and daunting. Despite my best efforts, I found myself grappling with the complexities of designing and waxing the fabric. Fortunately, the knowledgeable staff members were on hand to offer guidance and encouragement every step of the way. Their patience and expertise transformed what initially seemed like a hard task into a rewarding learning experience. Through trial and error, we gained insights into the nuances of batik-making, honing our skills and deepening our appreciation for this traditional art form.

As we get ready to display our artwork at the upcoming www exhibition, I can’t help but think about how we got here. We learned a lot about batik-making and how it’s deeply tied to Sri Lanka’s culture. At the factory, we saw firsthand the intricate process of creating batik prints. It was fascinating to see how much effort goes into each piece and we got a better understanding of Sri Lanka’s cultural heritage and the importance of preserving traditional crafts.

We spent some time journaling time at Diya Bubula, the former residence of artist Laki Senanayake. Laki Senanayake, a celebrated figure in Sri Lanka’s art scene, left a significant mark with his contributions to contemporary art. Diya Bubula, his residence, stood as a testament to his creative spirit and artistic legacy. Following our exploration of the premises, we sat down for a relaxed lunch and dedicated ourselves to filling our art journals. Dimath and I took pictures (like always) of the surroundings before we shifted our focus to documenting our experiences.

As we wandered around, we encountered intriguing sculptures left behind by the artist, showcasing his expertise and passion. Laki Senanayake was renowned for his mastery in sculpting, often drawing inspiration from Sri Lanka’s natural landscapes and cultural heritage. These sculptures added a unique touch to our visit, offering glimpses into the artist’s profound connection to his surroundings and artistic vision. Day 2 was wrapped up with some evening reflection time and a game of Uno at the Back of Beyond.

Day 3

Stick Season

Back of Beyond brought back memories of Sinharaja, where I woke up to the serene sight of birds perched on the railing of our tree house amidst the cool morning air—a stark contrast to our usual surroundings. However, this time, instead of the soothing melody of chirping birds, our wake-up call came in the form of the girls’ early morning screams at 7 o’clock. Despite the unexpected alarm, we kicked off our day with a biking adventure in the ancient city of Polonnaruwa.

Biking around Polonnaruwa turned out to be the highlight of the trip for me. The experience was a delightful blend of exploring the city’s temples, witnessing Dimath’s hilarious encounter with monkeys, and bonding over matching bracelets while spontaneously bursting into song. It was incredibly relaxing and chill—a moment I would gladly relive over and over again. In fact, most of us were in no rush to return to our bus, savoring every moment of the ride back.

The anticipation built as our teachers hinted at a surprise waiting for us back at Back of Beyond. To our delight, we were greeted by the biking group, who graciously took a break from their journey to meet us. Amidst laughter and storytelling, we shared a memorable moment together, capturing it in a cute group picture before bidding farewell.

I’d like to take a moment to acknowledge Ms. Eagle’s thoughtful planning, as she ensured we had plenty of rest time before our next activity—a unique art session involving the creation of paintbrushes from sticks and leaves found in the woods of Back of Beyond. It was fascinating to see everyone’s creativity come to life as they crafted art using nature’s materials. My souvenir from that session? A paintbrush made from a lantana flower—a cherished memento of our time together.

Day 4

Hike Highs

Another Hike, this time to Pidurangala, following a night of cribbing to Ms. Eagle about how I wasn’t looking forward to it. To my amazement, I ended up enjoying the trek. The breathtaking view at the hike’s end made the early 4:30 am wake-up call entirely worthwhile. gotta mention, hanging out with my microtrip crew and the cool rock dogs made the day extra special.

day 4 was also our last day at Back and Beyond- after packing everything up and watching everyone fail and Sri Lankan cooking (except Naomi, Naomi did pretty much everything) we went to the other corner and all of us wished we had more time there since the location was pretty the day ended with everyone in the pool, relaxing for going back home next morning…. day 5 is pretty much a travel day back home