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a Light-Hearted Travel Memoir: How Nagging Saved My Day

Extreme small portions, uninspired meal choices, and inflexible hosts had been my usual experiences with breakfasts in Sri Lankan guest houses. Needless to say, I was not convinced…

It’s true that not overeating is healthy, and I don’t deny that..

However, a (un)full stomach ahead of an adventure-filled day makes the start of the day either pleasurable or unbearable for a traveler.

After arriving in Polonnaruwa late in the afternoon, my hostess asked if I wanted breakfast the next day. I politely declined, vividly explaining my reasons for opting out, citing my previous experiences. I shrugged my shoulders awkwardly, trying to justify my refusal.

Looking at me empathetically, she warmly smiled and asked me to wait for one minute. She disappeared into the house and returned a few minutes later with a smartphone in her hand. Almost dancing, she sat back on the bamboo terrace chair and began scrolling through the pictures, undeniably searching for something particular. Her eyes were as focused on the screen as hawk’s eyes are concentrated on a small pray, innocently crossing the street. Her forehead wrinkled with concentration. When she finally found the photo, she triumphantly turned the screen toward me, showing an image she knew would change my mind.

-You see, ma’am, this is what I serve for breakfast, – she said softly, already sensing victory. She knew she had won me over. And she was not wrong!

One breakfast for me, por favour!

I exclaimed. I was sold. The pictures were more than impressive!

A young couple, fully relaxed with the biggest grins on their faces, sat behind a table covered with carefully chosen delicacies. And in large quantities, no less.

‘-After this breakfast, I am sure I won’t be angry – crosse dmy mind. The breakfast menu featured a Western spread with many toasts, omelets, sunny-side eggs, butter, and jam, along with a proper Sri Lankan morning meal with string hoppers (a type of rice noodle), daal, coconut roti, gravy, coconut pancakes, fruit plate, fresh juice, and milk coffee and tea.

I needed no further persuasion. The lady knew how to sell her breakfast. I was all in.

– Of course , ma’am, I will be happy to serve you. When do you want it to be ready?

– Hm… Let me think.

I had a whole day planned ahead and didn’t want to start too late, avoiding the peak heat of the day. After a quick consideration, I replied: –7:30 would be great.

– Done, it will be served!

Coconut Roti with Gravy, Fresh Fruits and Woodapple Juice

Vegetable Paratha and Egg-Hopper

The travel memoir of the next days wake up call

The next day, I woke up at 5:30 for the first time, feeling as sleepy as one can be. For some unknown reason, I couldn’t fall asleep the night before and only drifted into unconsciousness very late. To make matters worse, my room faced east, meaning the sunrise’s brightness would hit me square in the face. Literally.

As someone sensitive to light, I did not appreciate the morning wake-up call from those first rays of sunlight gently petting my face. On the contrary, I woke up cranky. Luckily, the solution was in the front pocket of my small backpack. As soon as my fingers found them, I pulled out my dark brown, soft Emirates eye covers, put them on, and before I knew it, I was back to sleep.

The second time I opened my eyes, it was 8:30. I was an hour late for breakfast. In a rush, I quickly got up, put on some proper clothes, and with a strange feeling of guilt, walked out of the room.

As I walked, I prepared my apologies for the scolding I anticipated. It felt like I had done something wrong!

When I reached the ground floor, the friendly owner’s husband warmly greeted me.

–Are you ready now ma’am? he asked me.

Putting my prepared apology into practice, I started to apologize for my delay.

He couldn’t have cared less!

–No worries ma’am, you are on vacation. Do you want to eat now?

–Give me 10 minutes, please, I requested a bit more time to get ready.

–No problem ma’am, it will be served in 10 minutes.

I climbed back upstairs to my room, dressed appropriately, washed my face, and got ready for breakfast.

I returned to to one of the most spectacular views I had seen so far.

When the hostess, who was in the middle of setting the table, saw me approaching, she waved and wished me good morning. She asked how I slept and if everything was okay. Afterward, she walked away only to return a few minutes later with yet another full tray of food…

Quick Sweet Breakfast

Breakfast Bliss

My inner child was as happy as could be, while my adult self wondered how I was going to eat it all. I was certain that my complaints about not being properly fed had prompted her to prepare extra-large portions for me—there was twice as much as I had expected.

Left alone with this huge portion of what looked like a delicious breakfast in front of me, I took in the abundant table facing a picturesque morning view of growing rice fields with a soft bird-singing soundtrack in the background.

What else was there to do but dig in and enjoy? I didn’t hold back, not even a bit.

To demonstrate my sincere effort, I first attacked the gorgeous Sri Lankan coconut pancakes with milk coffee. Then, I went after the fresh mango, papaya, and pineapple. Finally, toast, omelets, egg hoppers, roti, and daal were on the list.

I felt like a queen and I ate like one.

As expected, my stomach was full halfway through. I managed to squeeze in one last butter-jam toast before I was officially overstuffed. Leaning back, I put my palms on my tummy and thought…never again! never, ever again!

The Healthiest Breakfast I ate – All Fresh Fruits and Home-Made Raw Sweets

Freshly Harvested Mangoes

A perfect snack for a journey

I called the hostess and asked her to bring some paper bags, as I wasn’t particularly eager to throw away food. Besides, I had a full day of exploration ahead. These would make perfect snacks for my bicycle tour of Polonnaruwa’s ancient city, which would require a certain amount of strength. Flavorful jaggery-honey pancakes in nature and a nice egg-butter toast… doesn’t sound like a bad idea at all, does it?

Once I received the requested bags, I packed my snacks into two separate bags. The “sweet bag” held pancakes, a butter-jam sandwich, and bananas, while the “savory bag” contained an omelet-butter-toast sandwich and a coconut roti with daal.

I was almost ready to go. Only one small thing stood between me and my Polonnaruwa bike tour.

After this royal feast, I suddenly felt very tired and sleepy. Even though it was already past 10, I decided to take a quick power nap before my day of exploration. Who cares, I’m on vacation! Besides, how can I be adventurous if my batteries are low? I needed to recharge before heading out.

When I woke up from my “power nap,” it was close to 1:00 PM.

Hmm, it seemed the tropical sun was at its peak, the heat was intense, and everyone was hiding inside.

Yup, it looked like the perfect time to start my first-time bike-adventure and I was sure hoping in would not be as scary as my first-time bus adventure.

What can I say – plans are plans and reality is reality…

With Tons of warm Love 🫶

T.

How about you, my dear, loyal reader? Do you have any light-hearted travel memoirs that you’d like to share? Do you stick to a plan while traveling, or are you more flexible? Are you in “go with the flow” mode or “organize till I drop” mode? Share in the comments below. Let’s see who’s in the majority!