Picturing our way to Kandy, Srilanka

Wrote a letter to my wife remembering our travel experience at Srilanka and got it printed and delivered using delivery apps, which is the first of its kind experience for me and here is the letter. 

After spending our first day at the hostel in Colombo, we woke up early to catch the first train to Kandy. I still remember that morning so vividly — you asked me to wait outside the women’s washroom while you finished getting ready. You were shivering, wrapped in that white towel… and every time I see you after a head bath, I’m reminded of that baby from the Johnson’s Baby ad. Because, to me, you’ll always be my baby. (Also… please bathe twice a day, okay? Uhh!)

We walked up to the nearest bus stop, and you were already buried in your phone, figuring out our next destination — our itinerary was being built on the fly. Honestly, most of our Sri Lanka trip happened like that. If someone ever asks me about our itinerary, I’d confidently say, “Oh, we just went around South Sri Lanka in a big circle… except for the places that involved trekking or walking.”

We got onto the train, only to find it already packed. I was worried about you having to stand all the way. We should have boarded the reserved class and paid the fine — but alas, you got a husband who’s too by-the-book to break a rule. Sorry!

Your face lit up when we reached Rambukkana station — the excitement was unmissable. Your love for elephants goes beyond what I can understand, but I just hoped Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage would give you everything your heart wanted.

I still admire how you convinced the railway official to let us keep our luggage there till we returned. And the iddipayam we had at that small hotel across the street? Easily my favorite. My second “andhatha sukheebhava” moment of the trip. (The first one, of course, was on our Air India flight; you were with me on this.)

I do feel bad for you surviving the trip mostly on jam buns, though. Brave soul.

And then — the anniversary hoarding at the orphanage’s entrance. That gave us the perfect chance to click our first photo on our first anniversary! Followed by, of course, a WhatsApp status update. It’s still one of my favourite pictures of us.

You looked stunning in that white dress — anything sleeveless or modern on you instantly becomes my favourite. And your love for elephants — watching you feed them like it was your first time ever — that’s a memory etched in my mind. Honestly, my eyes couldn’t look away from you that entire day.

After we finished all the activities, we decided to dance to that song — I remember trying to teach you a step, and you burst into tears. I know I can be too strict when it comes to teaching dance, and I should’ve been gentler. But I also remember how I got you smiling again. That video — after editing in shots from other locations — turned out really well. All thanks to you.

You know… boys rarely get letters. So for someone like me who loves words, receiving one means the world.

Imagine telling our future kids:

“Hey, for our first anniversary, we went on a trip to a far, faraway land. We sat at a roadside hotel beside a river, with elephants trumpeting in the background while taking their bath… and right at that moment, your mom pulled out a card she had secretly written, hidden in the same backpack your clueless dad was carrying all along.”

But that wasn’t just any letter. It came in a handmade envelope with tiny side pockets filled with handcrafted love symbols — even embossed hearts on it. And the words inside… well, they expressed a kind of love that goes beyond what can be captured in writing. Your dad may have looked calm outside, but inside, his eyes were moist. He just didn’t show it — classic unromantic husband move. But I promise you, he was cherishing the moment and silently thanking the universe.

I wish I had overcome my shyness and kissed you right then. But yeah, no PDA — I can’t help it!

We returned to the station and finally caught the train to Kandy. This time it was less crowded, and we found seats — such a relief. About half an hour into the ride, the tunnels began. You were so thrilled, hanging at the door, and I was trying my best to capture you in that moment.

And the first thing we encountered in Kandy? The tourist police. Who knew that would lead us to such a comfortable and memorable anniversary night stay?

Here’s to many, many more adventures like this one. I love you, Ammu.