Or better now known as ...

The Next Half-a-Day Two.  Racing to beat the rains about to drench Horton Plains, our small van creep down the steep and winding road to Haputale.

A suggestion came up not to return to the cottage anymore. Yep, nobody liked the idea that there was no hot shower to come home to in that cottage. We all agreed to travel on..where else but to the warmer and inviting beach of Kaluthara (southwest coast of Sri Lanka). We estimated five hours of travel but it took us longer on the road due to rains and traffic in small town junctions. So from 2pm to 8:30pm, travel we did with a few stops. We had lunch of fried rice and curry in Haputale at 4500 ft/MSL. Later on, we had tea in a nice and clean bakeshop-cafe. The cakes were delightful.

Past nine in the evening, we arrived in Kaluthara.

At 9:30pm, we were already deep in sleep enjoying the warmth of our cozy beds after a hearty dinner of burgers and of course, a relaxing steamy hot shower in a room just a few meters away from the beach, a great contrast from our night in the Huldumulla cottage.

So there, in 24 hours we have reached the top of The World's End at 7000ft above sea level and traveled all the way down to 0 MSL spending most of our waking hours in a van watching the world through rain splattered windows. What a feat!

Aah! Sunny Kaluthara.

Fernando, the van owner-driver, should be given an award for working overtime that day. He did a marvelous job going through smaller roads and shortcuts just to make our trip shorter. It could have taken us more than 7 hours to reach Kaluthara if not for his skilled driving and knowledge of the unfamiliar outback roads we drove through. If you are visiting Sri Lanka and need a reliable transport to take you around the city or provinces, Fernando is the guy. Just email me. He drives safely, doesn't drink or smoke, speaks good English and doesn't overcharge foreigners even though he owns the kid-friendly van - yes, it has aircon, seat belts, travel magazines and clean seat covers! Sometimes, he would play mellow Sri Lankan and Indian music on. For four years of our stay here in Sri Lanka, he has been our regular transport service.  We highly recommend him to families travelling with children.

31 days to go until the 2nd Philippine Homeschool Conference!

Here are some facts to IGNITE your excitement:

• the event shall feature parenting talks from speakers like Ptr. Peter Tan-chi (homeschool dad and senior pastor of CCF) and Felichi Pangilinan-Buizon (homeschool mom and together with Maricel Laxa-Pangilinan and Dr. Donna Pangilinan-Simpao are part of "The Parenting Company")
• a breakthrough learning technique called "mind-mapping" shall be taught
• key sponsors thus far include Salt & Light Ventures (team behind highly-successful John Maxwell events), Chef Tony's Popcorn, Gymboree, and STI
• prizes and giveaways thus far from Kindermusik Phils, Math-U-See, Filway Marketing (Time Life), SIP Academy (Abacus learning)...and more!
• finally, the event is expected to be the LARGEST gathering of homeschoolers in the country to-date!

Remember, Nov 22, 2008, 7am to 5pm, 5/F St. Francis Square (across SM Megamall A).  P350/adult and P50/child (0-3 yrs old are FREE).  Register now to avail of discounts!  Call Ces Bunnell at (0917)860-85-65 or 633-50-57 locals 103-106.
Hi all!