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.

Thondamanaru to Jaffna via Atchuvely, a photo-journey, 22nd December 2013.

Road past Atchuvely.

Building near Aavarangkaal junction.

'Aariya Kulam', Jaffna.

'Rio Ice-cream Bar', Nallur.

Click on the web-link below with your speakers on to see more photos:-

http://youtu.be/6BT-fQ29EMM

Bird life in the Thondamanaru Lagoon, Sri Lanka.

'Black-winged stilt'

'Eurasian Curlew'

'Indian Pond-heron'

'Painted Stork'

On a 15 minute drive from Thondamanaru to Idaikkaadu one passes through the side of the Lagoon. Bird life in December is plentiful. I took these pictures from inside the van using a 70-300mm VR lens on my Nikon D90.

Click on the web-link below to see a video presentation of the birds in the Thondamanaru Lagoon:-

http://youtu.be/btLo619k4KU