Rambuttan sales near Hanwella

Rambuttans are aplenty now. The price bought from the tree has dropped to /50cents each fruit. On the roadside stalls it fetches Rs.2/- upwards each.

Old modes of transport

A hand-cart 'Athkaraththey S, 'Iluvandil T; a 'Thurukkaley' S; 'Thirukkal' T; and an Austin 30 motor car at at exhibition point, Avissawella, Sri Lanka.

Fruits galore.

I took this picture at Saalawa on the Colombo - Aviissawella road. Fruits are aplenty now. Rambuttaans, Mangosteens, Pineapples, Melons, Gadugudaa and the perennial King-coconuts.

'Head-umbrella', Sri Lanka.

This handy head-umbrella costs Rs100/- in Sri Lankan Rupees. It is of Chinese make. It fastens by some straps to the periphery of the head. I suppose a strong gust of wind would blow the umbrella away. I suppose you could have a 'Chin-strap' to retain it, but then there is the danger of the wearer himself being blown away in a heavy wind.

Black pepper -Piper nigrum, Sri Lanka

Black pepper - Pepper nigrum, the woody creeper

The yellow flower stalk and berries on the tree

The harvested berries awaiting drying in the sun when they will wrinkle up and turn b lack

Black pepper, 'Gammiris' -S, 'Milaku' - T, has been an export from Sri Lanka from ancient times. The term 'Gammiris' means 'Gamey Miris' translating as 'village-grown pepper'. This is to distinguish it from 'Kochchi Miris' brought from 'Kochin, Goa' during Portuguese times in the 16th Century Present Era. This latter was initially brought from South America by the Spaniards. It was introduced by the Portuguese to South Asia. The value of pepper in Europe in Medieval times could be gauged by the fact that a few pounds of it was worth a King's ransom.