Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka – Jungle, Tuk-Tuks, and Deep Encounters 🇱🇰🛺🌿

Sri Lanka wasn’t just another destination for us – it was a real adventure: raw, honest, and full of touching moments.

Even before we arrived, we knew we wanted to explore the island on our own. So we rented our very own tuk-tuk, our little vehicle for the weeks ahead. But before hitting the road, I had to get a local driver’s license – including a test – an experience in itself. After that, the road was ours.

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Heat, Rain & Freedom on Three Wheels

Sri Lanka greeted us with intense weather: sweltering heat that drenched us in sweat, followed by sudden tropical downpours that soaked us and our tuk-tuk regularly. And yet, it was exactly this combination that amplified our sense of freedom.

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In the Heart of the Jungle – Animals, Silence & a Special Human

On a remote path, we drove deep into the jungle. There, we encountered not only curious monkeys and impressive monitor lizards winding through riverbeds, but also someone who touched our hearts: a Buddhist monk.

He noticed us, stepped out of the greenery, and invited us to follow him. Deep in the jungle, he showed us his simple home – a place open to animals, nature, and guests. Surrounded by palm trees and birdsong, we sat with him, shared a meal, and had a conversation that still echoes within us.

He told us that he rejects the material systems of the outside world – especially money. When he said that, we smiled, because we live the same way. We, too, have turned away from fiat currencies and instead embrace decentralized freedom – Bitcoin.

Despite his stance on money, something extraordinary happened: with the approval and blessing of the head monk, we made a donation – with fiat money – right in the middle of the jungle. It wasn’t payment, but a gesture of gratitude and connection. A quiet, profound moment.

Our First Encounter with Wild Elephants

Another major highlight was our safari in the national park. We saw elephants – not in captivity, but wild, free, alive.

A baby elephant approached me curiously – and touched me with its trunk. That gentle contact was full of trust and made my heart skip a beat. A magical moment, almost beyond words.

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🌊🐢 Tsunami Museum & Turtle Sanctuary – Silent Memories & New Life

One especially emotional moment was our visit to the Tsunami Museum. It stands exactly where, in 2004, one of the worst natural disasters in modern Sri Lankan history took place. A whole train was swept away by the massive wave – hundreds of lives were lost.

We stood on that very spot – and the original train, hit by the tsunami, still remains. A silent witness of pain, destruction, and loss. The stories, the photos, the remnants – it all moved us deeply. A moment of silence, humility, and compassion.

In contrast, we soon visited a turtle sanctuary. There, we saw life being protected, cared for, and released back into the wild. The children were especially fascinated by the tiny, freshly hatched turtles – so fragile, yet so strong. Injured older turtles also found refuge here, some with prosthetics or scars from the past.

This visit felt symbolic: after pain, new life can grow. And responsibility often begins with small things.

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❤️🚂 Giving Along the Tracks – Sharing What We Have

Another moving moment was when we stopped by the train tracks near a poor settlement. Families live here under the simplest conditions – often without running water, electricity, or a secure future.

We had brought clothes, food, water, toys, and small gifts to hand out directly to the people. The children’s eyes lit up when they received balls, stuffed animals, and snacks.

It wasn’t a big effort for us – but for them, it was a moment of hope, joy, and being seen.

For our own children, it was also a valuable lesson: seeing how much joy small gestures can bring – and how little it sometimes takes to make someone feel they are not forgotten.

These encounters taught us: true connection comes from compassion and sharing – not through what you own, but through what you are willing to give.

🎒🍍🛺 Visit to a Pre-School – Learning, Wonder, and Sharing

One of the most beautiful and heartwarming moments in Sri Lanka was our visit to a local pre-school, a small kindergarten nestled in the greenery. Many of these schools have very few resources, yet the teachers pour their hearts into giving the children an education.

We drove our tuk-tuk straight into the school’s garden – an unusual sight that made the kids’ eyes go wide with laughter and excitement! They climbed onto our little vehicle, touched the steering wheel, and giggled with joy. They could hardly believe we had come all the way from Germany just to visit and support them.

We brought school supplies – pens, paper, and notebooks – simple things that made a huge difference there. I even got the chance to teach them some English – easy words and short sentences, full of laughter, gestures, and curiosity.

To end the visit, we cut up fresh fruit together and shared it with all the children. As a kind gesture in return, they offered us some of their snack: dried fruits and nuts – simple, honest, lovingly shared.

That day was filled with real exchange, respect, and warmth. Here, sharing means not just giving, but also receiving – with open hearts on both sides.

Sri Lanka – Wild, Wise, and Full of Wonders

Our time in Sri Lanka was intense – full of nature, insights, and encounters that changed us.

The tuk-tuk became our companion on three wheels, carrying us not only through landscapes but also through emotions. We were reminded that true connection doesn’t happen through language, but through openness.

And that there are places in this world where people live in harmony – with themselves, with nature, and without money.

Sri Lanka was a gift. And a chapter we will never forget.