The Planet D: Around the World Adventure Couple

The Golden Temple of Amritsar, India’s Shining Star

davendeb — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 10:00:30 +0000

We had been back in India a mere two days when we made our way to Punjab to witness the Golden Temple. Sikhism’s Holiest site, this temple welcomes all to enjoy its beauty and spirituality. Dave and I don’t normally become excited over temples, but the Golden Temple is incredibly impressive and beautiful. It is not a large temple, but it is impressive. Built in 1577, the temples dome is guilded with 750 kg of pure gold.

Holi Mania it’s Spring in India!

davendeb — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 10:00:33 +0000

- India has spring fever and nowhere celebrates it with more vigor than Mathura India. We hooked up with our friends Rebecca and Julian from Toronto to experience India’s most colourful festival.Becca has wanted to see Holi since the time she was 12 and Julian being a huge history buff explained the story of Krishna, the temples [...]

Snapshot Sunday, Holi India

davendeb — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 10:00:33 +0000

Meeting up with our friends Becca and Julian brought back the joy of travel again. To see them excited about India and Holy rubbed off on us, and even though I was sick with a touch of Delhi Belly and a bad head cold we enjoyed our time in Mathura celebrating the Holy Festivities.

Top Secret in Hikkaduwa: A Review

davendeb — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 10:00:22 +0000

There is a fantastic place in Hikkaduwa that we probably shouldn't be telling you about because it is Top Secret. OK, to be fair the name of the place is Top Secret and I think that they wouldn' t mind if we let the cat out of the bag since they are located right on Galle Road with a big sign promoting the spot. Located in Hikkaduwa close enough to all the action, but far enough away that you can relax, Top Secret is probably the best budget accommodation that we have ever stayed at.

Tsunami Five Years Later: A Photo Story

davendeb — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 10:00:01 +0000

It has been over 5 years since the Tsunami devastated the coast of Sri Lanka. Over 50,000 people were killed and thousands more injured and displaced. he wounds are slowly disappearing as businesses are being rebuilt, roads are cleared and the landscape has recovered, but the scars still remain and there are still signs of the destruction that the mighty ocean left behind. Dave has captured the southern coast of Sri Lanka today in photos. Its i a reminder of the great suffering that the people faced after the event but also the resilience of the human spirit and how a nation has slowly recovered over time.

New India Visa Rules, Our Re-Entry

davendeb — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 10:00:16 +0000

Welcome to part 3 of our update on the new India Tourist Visa rules. Way back in December we heard about the new rule while reading the India Times. How did we do? We had been out of India for 31 days while visiting Sri Lanka. We knew all about the visa problems and were prepared to not be allowed back into India. It was 3:00 am. Our flight was leaving Colombo in the middle of the night and we stood in line preparing to act surprised and confused once we were told about the changes.

Saving Sea Turtles One Egg at a Time

davendeb — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 10:00:06 +0000

The sea turtle is in grave danger in this world. Fishing nets are scooping them up out of our oceans. Limbs are cut off by the nylon mesh, they suffocate and they are hit by boat propellers. Humans have had an enormous impact on the endangerment of the Sea Turtle. At the Kosgoda Turtle Hatchery, Chandrasiri Abrew is working to make a difference. We came across the Kosgoda Turtle Hatcher by chance. After walking along the deserted beach while the sun slowly set, we ran into a man walking and yelled to him, "Turtles?"

Tuk Tuk Driver Makes a Difference

davendeb — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 10:00:46 +0000

Have you ever met an honest Tuk Tuk Driver? We did, and we never let him go. His name is Ajith and we lucked out on our first day back to Hikkaduwa. What is so special about this meeting? We have since gone to two charities with Ajith, had dinner at his house and watched him donate shoes to a school from money that he has raised with his friends from Italy. We talk to him everyday on the telephone.

Dave and Deb’s Excellent Surf Adventure Part 2

davendeb — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 10:00:50 +0000

Have you ever loved doing something that you are just not very good at? That is Dave and I when it comes to surfing. Man, we love it, but we just aren't naturals at it.When we came back to Hikkaduwa Beach on Sri Lanka's south western coast, we decided to get down to business and try to see if we could actually get the hang of riding the surf. Milan was our instructor and he was fantastic. showed us how to look for the right wave, how to turn upside down on our surfboard to go under a wave and how to feel the right moment to stand and ride the crest of the wave as opposed to white water. He even showed us how to start turning on the wave so that we could actually ride it one day soon.

Snapshot Sunday: Dodanduwa Temple

davendeb — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 10:00:02 +0000

Sri Lanka has its fair share of holy sites. Temples, like this one in the small town of Dodanduwa, dot the landscape. Some offered refuge during the Tsunami and others continue to be a place where monks study and learn the ways of Buddhism.