I would like to begin with my thank you’s. There are so many people I’ve met throughout this trip that are amazing. Every one of them has their own story, and I was lucky enough to know a little (or a bloody lot) of theirs. 

From my HUGE volunteer family I would like to thank:

Rachel

Leah

Jenny

Sue

Kayla

Matt

India

Yvonne

Vann

Ric

Zoe

Taiwan

Yegor

Liza

Pernille

Linh

Dave

Ally

Franzisca

Bryony

Bridie

Betty 

Jenny

Jeokim

Clara

Emma

Eliza

Ric

Kartia

Debby

Steven

Lucien

You all have been so great. Thanks for looking after me (and putting up with me). Helping, giving advise, making me laugh (even howl in laughter). I have so many amazing memories and every single one involves one of you! That’s why we are a family!

Of the staff who, by the way, are such, such nice people I would like to thank you! Everyone who works for the hatchery have been welcoming and helped me settle in so fast. This trip would not be the same if the staff weren’t as good as you guys. 

Dudley

Prisantha

Ruwan

Wije

Jayantha

Chandra

Karuna

Nmiska

Iresha

As well as the locals i became good friends with, the woman who owns the shop down the road, all the children at the schools/temples, and generally every helpful, friendly and genuinely nice Sri Lankan person I’ve had the pleasure of meeting. 

This trip has been the most perfect thing ive ever done. I have not only learnt a bloody lot about conservation but this kind of trip improves your interpersonal skills, travelling skills and confidence. I am now a better, more well rounded person because of it. There has been scary moments, sad moments, but the well majority has been fantastic. I cant beleive ive done it!!! 3 months! I properly feel like a local now, walking round the towns i have a lot of local friends and all the staff in the shops know me! (And give me local price haha) i think it helps because my tan is TANTASTIC if i do say so myself 😏. 

Highlights have been trips on weekends and releasing big turtles. I cant even begin to say how much i love all the volunteers i met. Volunteering is a way of life and very specific people only meet the criteria: happy, open minded, hardworking, accepting, fun and generally nice people and everyone was all those and more. 

So in all, sri lanka is now my favourite country. I would recommend any sort of volunteering to everyone because its such a character building exercise! I shall miss it soooo much but i hope to return to the hatchery some time in the future! ☺️