Back in Kurunegala

 We never back track but on this occasion we have no choice. Last year when we first planned this trip I casually scanned the interweb for information regarding Freemasonry in Sri Lanka. I do it for which ever country we are travelling through.  I have been lucky enough to attend meetings in Asia in the past and its always an amazing experience.

(I am a Freemason and very proud of the fact. I make no secret of it and have always shouted its virtues from the rooftops. It's something I really enjoy. There is not and in my opinion should not be any secrecy over membership of this great fraternity  although traditionally some of the things we do are and should be kept within our own circle. If you were to join then the reasons for this would become clear. There is nothing dark, subversive or strange in this. The overriding purpose of Freemasonry is to "make  good men better" whilst at the same time raising a lot of money for charity. Both local, national and international.  If your interested in,  or intrigued by,  Freeasonry drop me a comment. I'll be happy to explain what I can)

I discovered that Freemasonry, though small, is active here. Probably a remnant of the colonial days when most regiments stationed overseas started their own lodges. Freemasonry has always played a huge role in military life especially in regiments stationed abroad. 

 I found the local contacts on my search of the interweb  and wrote them an  email expressing an interest to visit a lodge during our travels. To my surprise I recieved an offer to attend the lodge in Kurunegala almost immediately. After several emails the visit was arranged and is the reason we have backtracked here.

Tomorrow I visit a lodge in the city. It's a morning lodge and starts at 11am. Because of the early start I have booked us into a very nice hotel close by for the evening to ensure I can get there on time. In order to not be late for the meeting when we arrived at the hotel in "Ruby" we checked in and then walked the short distance to the city to make sure I knew where the Masonic Hall was. It was easy to find from the directions I was given and I met the Hall caretaker, Marcus, who was expecting me. The hall is very small and is only recognisable by the symbols on the gate. He welcomed me and said that he had been told of my imminent arrival and was looking forward to seeing me tomorrow at the meeting.

KURUNEGALA masonic hall

Logistically this has been a challenge as I have had to bring a suit, shirt and tie with me in my little Matilda. Something we have never done before. Because they have been stuffed in the backpack I have had to ask the hotel to iron everything for me in readiness for tomorrow. I mentioned earlier about the shoes that I have had to purchase but I am sure it will be worth the trouble .

I have chosen a "nice" hotel as dear old Crispy will stay here while I go playing out. Although the hotel is relatively expensive I didnt want her left on her own in a tree house or hut for several hours without me. You never know what she will get up to. At least here she can sit by the pool till I get back and someone can keep an eye on her. I usually save the nice accomodation till the end of the trip or her Birthday in case she develops a taste for it. Most of our regular accomodation is nothing like this.

The "posh" hotel

After the meeting is over we are once more going to climb aboard our little red dream machine and strike south to the hill country to continue our adventures. I'll make sure I change back into my travelling shorts and T shirt before we set off. A white guy driving a Tuk Tuk already causes looks of astonishment and bewilderment from the local guys. A white guy driving a Tuk Tuk in a suit would probably cause them to question what was in their morning  coffee.

Bare and Crispy signing off Kurunegala. Sri Lanka