Scenes at Velanai, Jaffna, Sri Lanka.

Green Memorial Hospital, Manipay, Jaffna, Sri Lanka.

The large garden.

An old building.

Dr. Samuel Fisk Green, of Boston, USA.

Dr. Green's first batch of Medical students at Manipay, in the 1840's.

Gnanams Hotel and a bullock cart held as an exhibit there, Jaffna, Sri Lanka.

Car park at the Gnanams Hotel.

Rooms at Gnanams Hotel.

The under-carriage of a bullock cart.

The wheel-mount of a bullock cart.

The method of assembling a bullock cart has not changed much over the millenia. The bullock-cart  was a common site on the roads till a decade ago. It is a rare site now.

An old bullock cart, exhibit at Gnanam's Hotel, Jaffna, Sri Lanka.

Drawn by two bulls tied to a cross-bar in front, this was the mode of transport for millenia in this region. This  was in active use in the 1950s till gradually replaced by the vehicles powered by the internal combustion engine.

The Dutch Fort, Jaffna, Sri Lanka.

The Jaffna Public Library seen over the moat of the Fort.

A 'sentry box' on the walls of the Fort.

The whitish-grey area is where the rebuilding has taken place.

A sunset near the Fort.

One of the classic 'Star Forts' built by the Dutch, this was the m,ain administrative centre of the Dutch and later the British. It was being systematically dismantled by the LTTE during its hey-day. The Dutch Government has funded a project to rebuild it. The white coloured areas on the walls of the Fort show the rebuilding.

Birds on the Vallai to Varany road, Jaffna, Sri Lanka, 23rd December 2013.

A black-headed Ibis.

A Godwit.

A Glossy Ibis.

A Brahminy Kite.

Click on the web-link below:-

http://youtu.be/D_Hn1zvZpiQ

Vallai to Thunnalai, Jaffna, Sri Lanka, 23rd December 2013.

A cemetery.

A kovil.

Birds on a paddy field.

Vallai to Kodikamam, Jaffna, Sri Lanka, 24th December 2013.

Turning off at Vallai at 'Mudakkaththaan Santhy' on the road to Kodikaamam.

Typical village scene with free-roaming cattle on the road.

A 'Yellow Bittern' by the side of the road.

A 'Black-headed Ibis' swimming in the lagoon.

Market at Maruthanamadam, Jaffna, Sri Lanka, 23rd December 2013.

Statue of 'Aanjaneyar', Maruthanamadam.

Farm produce for sale.

Three-wheeler with produce for the market.

Bananas for sale straight from the farms.

Potatoes, Bombay onions, red onions & vegetables from the farms close by for sale.

In the 1950s as a youngster I remember this market. The produce for sale from the farms close by is still the same though the volume is less. The bicycle which was used earlier is now replaced by the three wheeler. Electronic scales have replaced the earlier 'tharaasu'. The dress habits have changed but the courtesy and kind words spoken are still there.

The road to the 'Casuarina Beach' from Jaffna town, Sri Lanka.

The road to Anaikkottai, Jaffna.

The Stadium, Jaffna College, Vaddukkottai.

The road leading to 'Casuarina beach, Karainagar.

Casuarina Beach, Karainagar.

Click on the web-link below to see a video of the photos taken along the way:-

http://youtu.be/8BDYoLCnYHw

'Nagadeepa' S, 'Nainatheevu' T, Jaffna, Sri Lanka.

On the pier at Kurikadduvan.

Inside the boat.

Inside the Vihara at Nagadeepa.

The story of 'Nagadeepa'.

The 'Nagapooshani Amman Kovil'.

The 'Gopurams of the 'Nagapooshani Amman Kovil'.

Click below to see a video presentation of photos taken by me in this island:-

http://youtu.be/M-40IfZhX5g

Kurikkadduvan to Pannai, Jaffna, Sri Lanka, 21st December 2013.

Disembarking after a trip to 'Nagadeepa' S, 'Nainatheevu' T.

An 'Indian Roller' by the way side.

Wayside sale of boiled 'Kottakilangu' S, 'Panangkilangu' T.

A Hindu Kovil.

The following link is a photo journal of the journey. Please click on it with your internet connection on.

http://youtu.be/rHbAzB6a3-w

Ice cream shop, antiques, Jaffna, Sri Lanka.

Ice cream parlour, Nallur.

A brass plate with designs from the tombs of the Pharoes, most probably bought at Aden  or Port Said during the sea voyage to Europe in the 1930s to 1970s.

A portable betel-chew grinder popular in the 1950s in Jaffna, One placed the betel leaves, arecanut and lime inside the container. There was a rod with a flange at the tip going into the container. This was used to grind the chew. It was a precious item for the aged who had lost their teeth and could not masticate the betel chew. The ground chew of betel could be easily swallowed.