Stayed at Moon Eyes Hotel (500 Rupees), Arugam Bay, Sri Lanka
I found myself enraptured by the stillness and silence of Arugam Bay as I slowly meandered down the beach, taking in the stunning beauty that surrounded me. The sensation of walking barefoot in the sand, with the cool ocean water rushing over my ankles, was truly invigorating.
After a hectic travel schedule, I decided to take a much-needed break and seek out peace and calmness in Arugam Bay. The intense waves proved to be a challenge, but I worked up the courage to bodysurf, despite a slight sore throat that dampened my first day here. Eating the delicious rice and curry was a chore, but I made a conscious decision to focus on rest and nourishment, opting for bananas to recharge. To my relief, I felt much better the next day and was able to enjoy my surroundings.
I missed a few sunrises, but my body appreciated the respite, and I took advantage of the opportunity to sit in various spots along the beach, practicing my daily 10-minute meditation routine. At one spot, a young Tamil boy sat next to me on the empty beach. We sat in silence, with nothing but the sound of the waves pounding the shoreline, as he built a sandcastle beside me. In that moment, no language was needed to convey the mutual satisfaction of a still moment spent in peaceful contemplation.
Photographing lines
During my stay, I decided to focus on capturing lines in my photography and spent the morning on a photo walk, capturing a diverse portfolio of line photos, with cows in the background. I even met a group of friendly Sri Lankans in Cabana Park.
Sunrise walks at Arugam Bay
On my last day in Arugam Bay, I woke up early to catch the sunrise, but was disappointed to find that a large cloud was blocking the sun’s arrival. I sat calmly in the sand, observing a couple engaging in vastly different morning routines. One was doing intense calisthenics, while the other sat in perfect posture, with his eyes closed, in the “ok” meditation style. He sat motionless for an impossibly long time.
I ended my day with an aggressive bodysurfing session, fearlessly swimming into the massive waves. I relished the feeling of reaching for the sandy bottom only to realize I had reached a water depth well over my head. The waves came too fast for quality bodysurfing, but I managed to catch a few, experiencing the elation of getting swept up to the peak of the wave just before the washing machine power of the surf sent my body tumbling underwater, while the girls sunbathing on the shoreline served as spectators. I found myself running to higher ground to catch glimpses of bright pastels filling the sky’s canvas. I took a walk down a new road into the local neighborhoods in the dark to fulfill my 15,000 step goal for the day, and concluded my trip with a sense of fulfillment and rejuvenation.
The waves were coming in too fast for quality bodysurfing, but I was still able to catch a few. I was in awe of the elation I felt as I was swept up to the peak of the wave just before the powerful crashing of the surf sent my body tumbling underwater. The girls who were sunbathing on the shoreline served as spectators.
I was able to capture a beautiful sunrise at Cabana Park, and managed to get a shot of many crows flying in the center of the sun. I found myself running to higher ground to catch glimpses of bright pastels filling the sky’s canvas. I took a walk down a new road into the local neighborhoods in the dark in order to reach my daily step goal of 15,000 steps.
