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Sites of the treasure island that you must visit
Sri Lanka well known all over the world for its majestic mountain ranges and the scenic beauty that comes with it. These mountains are dressed in green standing sentry to the bluest of waters giving home to so much life with blue above and below, ever lightening under the suns light.
Adams peak
Tall, conical sacred mountain located in the center of the islands hill country also known as Sripada.
Widely known for the foot shaped indentation at the summit of the pyramid shaped mountain called the sri pada
This is the first Breath- taking- must-see sites on your visit to Sri Lanka that we have chosen for you.
Especially you must not miss the picture-perfect sunrise which is simply awe-inspiring which is worth the toil and trouble it takes to climb the summit.
Knuckles mountain range
Lying in the central highlands comprising of series of recumbent folds and peaks giving resemblance to a clenched fist.
This mist-laden mountain range, also called the Dumbara Kaduvatiya , is robed with thick layers of mist.
Giving home of counties significant proportion of the country’s rich biodiversity.
Hotspot among the nature and adventure enthusiasts.
The trails leading to the mountain offers splendid awe-inspiring vistas which includes cascading waterfalls, cloud forests offering shelter to a diverse range of flora and fauna. We’ve put some photos of our trip to this trail here.
Pidurutalagala mountain
Locally called the mount pedro tallest mountain in the country, peak of which is seen from most areas of the hill country.
The lap of the mountain blesses one with the chance to view the beautiful country of srilanka and is a perfect scenic view. Although the peak is of a security risk area which means off limits for the commoners, nevertheless it is a sight to behold.
The peak of this mountain is on every traveller’s wish list.
The panoramic views from the mountain are simply spectacular, which words fail to describe the beauty.
This mountain consists of forests which gives shelter to large variety of rare and endemic species of both flora and fauna.
Sigiriya
This site, which is only a few centuries younger than the country itself , can’t be ignored by any traveller.
Lying in central srilanka consisting of ancient ruins of a picturesque stronghold built in the late 5th century on a monolithic rock.
Now for a small history lesson… this iconic beauty was built by a non-royal person for King Kashyapa. The latter brutally murdered his father and stole the throne from the rightful heir and his half brother Moggallana. Kashyapa feared that his brother might try to take revenge from him, and escaped Anuradhapura to take shelter in Sigiriya. He built his fortress on top of a giant impenetrable rock.
Visitors begin the ascent to the top through the open paws of the lion, there is something in this iconic beauty which presents something that suits every type of traveller.
Moon plains
It is located in the midst of a valley named Ranhawadigama which is a few couple of kilometres away from Nuwara Eliya.
From keeping your eyes peeled looking out for the spotted predator for whom you are a likely prey is something quite adventurous …
The picturesque green slopes where the deer roams are something straight out from a portrait.
Providing the visitors with the panoramic views of countryside and the chilly misty weather where you must watch your step is simply fabulous.
The prime attraction here is the peak with a sharp drop a ‘mini world’s end’.
Biking and 1st keto week
It’s about a week since I’ve started the keto diet. There has been pain in my hip joint for the past 03 days and that’s just not something I want to talk about. But believe me that things are getting better.
A game changer was the fact that I got myself out of the house to start biking. It was incredibly time consuming, and depressing. With me panting after every 10 minutes of cycling.
But… I kept pushing… through the tears and the pain… my current timing stands at an average of 5 mins per kilometer. Longest I’ve been was 13km. There is research supporting the benefits of keeping your joints moving helps with RA.
Anyways getting back to the keto diet… I used to have severe indigestion when I was on wheat, rice. That seems to have gone down for now. Only consistency will tell. I’ve been having eggs, cabbage, strawberries and a few other vegetables. Some of them were consumed as juices.
https://pixels.com/featured/enjoying-food-and-drink-leon-zernitsky.html I’ve got something to say about Watermelons…
Any reliable site regarding the keto diet, would say that they are good. But on three separate occasions, I’ve had bloating after having them. Was it because they were too sweet? Bloating is due to a buildup of gas.
Stretching. Been watching a few calisthenic videos as of recent. That got me into regular stretching – times a day. Its my fourth day of doing it. It barely helps in my current state.
https://www.peonyandparakeet.com/stretch-your-style/ Overall, I don’t want to be fighting a battle if I’ve already lost. It’s hard, but I’m not giving up on myself..
And either way my friends won’t…
So long till the next post!
My journey with Rheumatoid arthritis
I’ve been stuck with rheumatoid arthritis for the past 10 years 😞, maybe 🤔 even more. And as you know RA is progressive, with me having to face a downward spiral… it had me dizzy to the point that I… just couldn’t take it anymore.
Multiple joint pains, my chest infections, and blurry vision, really spooked 😣 the living lights off of me.
Thanks to friends, they finally got me to look into my diet seriously. And, I’ve got to admit that it was crappy…
With (grains like) rice, wheat filled with toxins, The burden of mono-culture coupled with processed foods I really wanted to find out for myself how they contribute to my inflammation.
And the way to do that was to start by recording my diet by some format (diet logbook, regular instagram posts)
The only alternative staring at me like the elephant in the room, was the keto diet. The pathophysiology of RA, talks about inflammation and this diet seeks to lower it, so it’s someway to get off this scary spiral ride.
Will keep you guys updated, with how I actually feel over the days, so you can decide for yourselves.
I’m dedicating this to others with RA around the world. Perhaps together we can end this deadly spiral and prove them wrong that this ain’t the end of the road.
https://www.saatchiart.com/print/Painting-Never-Ending-Road/162091/3613265/view
Men’s Fashion
How did fashion begin?
It began with ancient civilizations. They wore different types of clothes. Some of them wore long clothes and some wore short ones. And they also used gemstones and gold to show their power and wealth.
Men’s Fashion History
When we talk about men’s fashion, we imagine that men’s fashion started with men wearing long hats & coats, holding a stick. But men’s fashion started from a time when men had very little clothes to wear & used other accessories like gemstones & gold to express wealth and power. But over time they improved the quality, designs & materials.
Modern Fashion
After progressively improving men’s fashion decade by decade we now have different fashion styles suited to the occasion. For example, if a man is going for a business meeting or attending a wedding, he might wear a suit. And if a man goes to the gym, he wears sports clothes.
What is the role of fashion in our lives?
Men’s fashion is a dynamic expression of personal style & growth through clothing, accessories & grooming choices that reflect individuality & cultural influences.
The right fashion choices make you feel comfortable and look better. Your body sends signals to your brain that make you feel confident. That’s why it’s important to choose good clothes and accessories.
Principles of Priceless Gemstones
Combination of words such as scarcity, demand and supply creates an effect on our everyday word ‘PRICE’
When a gem is to be purchased one must consider factors which includes color, intensity, tone, transparency, clarity or flawlessness, proportions, cutting standards, polishing and of course the weight.
Color
[more text needed here…]
Let us bring in the treasures of Ceylon , the blue sapphires, ranging from the best cornflower blue to light blue. The term ‘cornflower blue’ is the most desirable and the most finest color of the blue sapphires similar to the shades of cornflower.
Furthermore this cornflower blue can be divided into a high type, medium and a low type.
Hence the price of a high type cornflower blue is almost incomparable with the low type lighter shades.
Cornflower Blue sapphires, considered to be a pride of the Corundum family, are Sri Lanka’s best buy
The valuation Star sapphires and star rubies found in innumerable grades and qualities depending on two factors; the appearance of the star and the background color.
Amongst these types stars visible under ordinary light and the background color being deep blue or deep red ,in the case of blue sapphires and rubies respectively, command the highest price and are considered to be the best.
Clarity
Chrysoberyl Cat’s Eye which comes in exquisite shades of honey, apple green, dark grey and brownish grey,
Chrysoberyl cats eye showcasing its chatoyant effect. It’s the clearness of its streak which decides its fate.
Rarity, proportions and weight
Unraveling the gem gravels of Sri Lanka, amidst the various gemstones found here, Alexandrite is quite rare.
The scarcity of this variety together with its fascinating color change are factors destining its value
These stones have fetched much higher prices than paid for blue sapphires and rubies in some cases
Poor type stones showing only a faint color change also fetch higher prices.the middle stone has a better color change than the other two nevertheless the price difference between low quality stones are quite insignificant.
Alexandrite are often available in mix cuts , its rarity contributes to its cutting minimizing weight losses
These are cut in various shapes to minimize the loss of weight.
The round cuts seen in the first category have at most a 60 percent weight loss whereas the cushion cuts have relatively lower losses.
There you have it! some of the principles behind what makes gemstones valuable.
Be Your True Self
In love, you feel liberated to be your true self with someone who knows you completely.
You,
Appreciate & Cherish
the ones you love & what they’ve got
It sets you apart. That’s how you love yourself.
Having great/good things, having things others don’t have, exclusivity, becoming more powerful, gaining dominance, self-love, invincible, unstoppable,
Give the utmost content to yourself. Then the rest falls into place …
Perseverance
To increase abundance. You’ve got to have your own way to preserve, conserve and grow. This will unleash your full potential. Only through perseverance true strength is obtained.
Passion
Is embodied by persistence, creativity, endurance in hard work. professional, unopening, stoic,
Vigor
Characterized by the expression of your deepest passions and eccentricities. It’s about being genuine, generous, and fully committed to your endeavors, while also relishing life’s pleasures, whether it’s savoring fine wine or indulging in a cup of coffee.
Admiration
https://www.sadaffaraz.com/shop/p/admiration
Emphasizing the importance of moral standards and personal growth. It’s about fostering admiration for others, learning from their journeys, and channeling that inspiration into your own path of development.
This entails development of a moral code for yourself as well.
Do the Right Thing
You
are their Hero
Nothing can stop you from protecting them.
Harness your power constructively seeking justice.
Freedom
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/tree-of-life–419397784025714917/
The ultimate liberation of the soul. It’s about embracing a carefree attitude, promoting efficiency, and inspiring relaxation, all while reveling in the diverse flavors of human nature. You can’t have this without intelligence.
Each path adds its own unique melody, creating a harmonious blend that resonates with the essence of who you are.
So, embrace your authenticity,
dance to the rhythm of your heart,
and celebrate the beauty of being true to yourself.
Love ❤️ in Depth!
Love is a strong, lasting affection and dedication to someone else. It’s like a mother’s love for her child. It can also mean the deep care and attraction between partners.
Love includes many strong and happy feelings, like being really good to others, caring a lot about people close to you, and feeling joyful about simple things.
How Exactly Does Love Work?
When you love someone, your brain releases special chemicals that make you feel good. This can cause physical changes, like a faster heartbeat when you see them.
At the beginning of our journey of love, three brain chemicals play a big role: noradrenaline, which makes adrenaline, giving us a racing heart and sweaty palms; dopamine, the happy chemical; and phenylethylamine, which gives us butterflies when we’re around our crush.
Real love doesn’t give you the rush of adrenaline; it feels more like the calmness after a comforting hug. It doesn’t confuse you or leave you with doubts; it feels genuine in a way that goes deep. But sometimes, it can be complicated.
When Does Love Begin?
When you’re in love, thoughts of that person fill your day from dawn to dusk. You crave their presence, dream of a future together, and seek ways to express affection. Love also means committing to making the relationship flourish.
Love doesn’t follow a strict schedule. Some feel an instant spark, while others take time to develop a deep bond. It’s often complex, sometimes even “complicated.”
Being in love means investing your time and emotions into one person. Other romantic interests fade into the background. If you prefer spending romantic moments exclusively with your partner, it’s likely love.
In love, you feel liberated to be your true self with someone who knows you completely. However, mere attachment may lead to feelings controlling your thoughts and actions, sometimes leading to manipulation to maintain the connection.
Why Should We Love, What’s the Point?
Love empowers you, making life seem brighter and more joyful. It gives you the bravery to tackle challenges you once thought impossible. Love inspires you to reach new heights.
Genuine love goes beyond surface-level connections. It’s about understanding each other’s deepest values, beliefs, and aspirations. This creates a strong bond of companionship, where both partners feel united in pursuing shared dreams.
Love motivates us to collaborate and cooperate like no other force. It strengthens our mental and physical well-being, contributing significantly to our survival and overall health.
Fallout
Falling out of love can happen when our circumstances change or as we grow individually, leading us down different paths. Sometimes, what once brought us together may no longer align with our evolving values and aspirations. See how you can rediscover shared interests and activities to reignite the spark.
Additionally, the initial excitement and passion of a relationship can fade over time, revealing compatibility issues or fundamental differences that become harder to ignore. Communication breakdowns, unresolved conflicts, or external pressures can also strain the bond between partners. To repair a strained relationship, address the underlying issues.
Ultimately, falling out of love occurs when the emotional connection and intimacy between partners weaken, making it challenging to sustain the relationship despite efforts to reconcile. So prioritize open and honest communication to rebuild trust and intimacy.
Ancient Egypt and the influence of gemstones
In Ancient Egypt gems were used as a symbol of health, luck and protection.
These stones reflect joy and delight.
Turquoise is one such adorned by Egyptians thousands of years ago this is believed to be associated with sky and the bringing of sky energy to the earth
Turquoise
This precious stone is said to advocate honest and clear communication. Also known as a healing stone and also known to bring in abundance.
The Lapis Lazuli,
is an ancient gemstone. In fact the oldest of all gems clad by Sumerians and Egyptians.
Lapis Lazuli
With its deep blue opaque appearance succeeded in alluring the ancient Pharaohs, this gemstone was a favorite in amulets and scarabs.This stone combines the blue of the sky and the glitter of the sun
Powdered Lapis was used by Cleopatra as an eye shadow
Cleopatra who was said to be fanatical about gemstones using the stones for lavish jewelries and to color the which is believed to treat eye diseases. Cleopatra wore these gemstones claiming that is displays a good luck charm
Sapphires,
the stone of wisdom and serenity,known to release mental tensions and dispel depression were used as eye washes amongst the Egyptians.
The sapphires were known amongst the people to ward off the evil spirits and a glimpse of this stone was believed to bring in good luck
Midgets of Adam’s peak
Ever been fascinated by the dwarves of the lonely mountain?
With their crafty ways. And their skill at crafting…
Dwarves have been associated with mining since the most ancient of times. But we never expected to come across remnants of this ancient tale in Sri Lanka.
There we were sitting around tea, at a local shop, when the topic of holes drilled into gemstones turning up at the river bed came up. I was intrigued. Modern technology achieves this feat with great pride. Then how did they do it back then?
At first the story was unintelligible and it just went past me. Upon repeatedly inquiring of the tale, I grasped its gist.
The story centers around Adam’s peak, a site still famous to this day for attracting the pious and adventurers alike.
Under the influence of a local divinity named Saman, gemstones were spread around the mountain. Literally sprinkled around the mountain!
A Midget race, wandering the face of the earth at the time, caught wind of these gemstones and arrived at Ceylon, to try their luck. They offered their services to the king at the time, and he agreed.
And their work was phenomenal. They diverted the flow of the rivers to mine for gemstones underneath at the rock bed. They had the skills of gem cutting, polishing, & faceting.
They were probably craftsmen as well.
They brought prosperity upon the nation and themselves. And so the days passed by. They intermarried with the folks of Ceylon and passed down their knowledge to them. And so the days passed by. To bring about the end of their stay in Ceylon.
A new king who had had enough of their crafty ways and cunning, banished them from the Land. and they left, taking away most of their precious knowledge.
The little knowledge they left behind, was instrumental in giving Ceylon a reputable name in the ancient world for its gemstones and craftsmanship.
Where did they leave to? Are they still wandering about? Did they even exist, or were they just a creation of the mind? That does keep me wondering….
Would that keep you wondering as well?
What are Gemstones?
Silent in the glance.. yet empowering…
Providing the wielder, that desired touch of magic….
“You are your own unique brand indeed…
risk taking… overcoming the fear of failure….
To dive into the deep unknown…”
The words above are a glance of some of the feelings which a gem in your possession can inspire…
“ dumb jeans in their silent kind, more than quick words do move a woman’s mind”
William ShakespeareSymbolified as tokens of love, royalty, wealth from Tutenkhamen to Queen Victoria, the history of gemstones extends to the Neanderthals who used hematite to decorate their shells. All ancient cultures had some references to gemstones in their society.
So do you ever wonder, of the journey undertaken by a gemstone to end up in jewelry?
It all begins in the dirt, where a miner has identified the presence of a previously untouched entity, in the midst of all the mud and other stones. And you would not recognize the stone in this initial state.
^ this is a licensable photo. We should sell our own somewhere. Good looking miners can be posed.
Some stones do appear colorful and as shiny as they look in jewelry… but this is rare…
A majority appear darker with multiple inclusions in them. If you are lost at inclusions then don’t worry. We’ve written an article discussing this.
Here are examples of rough stones found in Kalu ganga, a river in Sri Lanka, famous since ancient Times for its sapphires.
The rough stones are then cut to form the basic shape, such as square, oval, round…
This depends on the original shape of the gemstone. Some stones can be cut into two, to make perfect pairs for earrings. It is cut in such a manner, so as to preserve weight, color and to slough off the inclusions.
It is definitively a topic of its own to discuss the procedure which help you get the best possible cut for a gemstone.
Once the basic shapes are formed, the stone is then faceted and polished. This is the sparkly stone in your jewelry.
In the midst of this process since stones undergo treatment, in order to improve color or clarity.
As gemstones exchange hands, they maybe recut, to adjust shape as the owner sees fit.
Finally the gemstone ends up in the hands of a jeweler who has seen it to be the perfect match for an accessory they had in mind.
And with the stone set up in the jewelry item, and held firmly it is put up for sale awaiting its rightful owner…. To claim it for their own.And there you have it! This was just a brief overview in gemstones.
We are hoping to expand on this, so it can prove as a valuable resource for those interested in purchasing jewelry, those running jewelry stores, gem businessmen hobbyists out there.
Why are gemstones costly articles?
For a gemstone beauty alone is insufficient, rarity and durability are equally essential properties.
Eg:- Spharlite is a stone whose brilliance approaches that of diamond but is far too soft to be of equal value
Fine garnets are far more pleasing than bad rubies. But the rubies still hold value[elaborate more on garnets and rubies]
Additionally many gems are said to have cultural and historical significance further increasing their value.
An Italian superstition holds that sapphires are used in amulets which are worn as a protection from eye problems and melancholy and what more even Mary ‘The queen of Scots’ wore sapphires in her pendant to protect from sore eyes
The labor intensive processes of mining and refinery adds to their overall value.
‘Digging grounds to find
Shiny things to be loved
Shouting ‘hard to do’
Sweating, never mind’
Engineering your Cut & Polishing for Rough Gemstones
A pink sapphire. All those indents at the surface must be sloughed off. Notice how the outline shape is irregular. We’ve got to even it out and aim for a rectangle
Notice how small it has become.This depends on how much meat there is to the stone. That is how much base, you can obtain without making the stone go flat.
I wish I could have taken a picture of this before heating it. Imagine a very pale blue stone.
This rough stone weighed about 3 carats. And notice the white inclusions protruding inwards from the lower end. The goal is to slough these off, and make them less noticeable in the faceted gemstone.
Here is the same stone, after cutting. Its now got a lighter shade of blue compared to the rough stone. Why is this?
The parts of the stone responsible for the darker shade of blue were superficially located and were thus sloughed off.
Now here’s the final product. It wasn’t perfect. Not the shade of blue we wanted. And much smaller than expected.
Beautiful, nevertheless.Another pink sapphire. As the size of this rough stone is already small, we had to go for the shape most closest to its outline. That is a pear/ drop shape. Sadly this shape isn’t common and the market for it is less.
This is an example of a stone in which we didn’t succeed. We opted to heat it, resulting in it being blasted to smithereens. That happens, occasionally.
Some of the key pointers we have to consider are
The basic shape of the rough stone
The types of inclusions in them
Size…
Possible changes in color
Mining Town
I wrote a part of this while I was at the bus stop in this mining town.
Hope of a Miner
Is the dynamic nature of this science in the mind of the people here? They spend their time rock hunting, mining, knowing that that one particular stone, whatever that is, when found, is going to make their lives better. And so they continue to mine. Some their whole life, some just a portion of it.
Gem Rush
Some just try it for the gold rush in their veins and after their hard work is met with great failure, pack up and leave. It is definitely not for the faint of heart. What’s even sadder is when they don’t know the value of some of the stones they find only to end up back into the river.
Friendly Town
Upon entering the town, the general atmosphere feels friendly, with people laughing about, buses moving about, children going to the temple on Sunday, with their mothers behind them. It does feel safe.
Fertility
Vegetables, paddy is a specialty of this region…The soil is perfect with the alluvial deposits brought down. How do you get alluvial deposits here? You need dead organic matter of some sort to make soil fertile right? How is mountain soil fertile? Or hills for that matter
[link out of here]
Disease
There is a high prevalence of diabetes and its related complications in this region. I was listening into the conversation between the bus-conductors, and they remarked at the incompetence of the neighboring state hospitals in facilitating transfers, starting antibiotics and how they relied on local common knowledge.
Remote & Rural
They complained about the exorbitant prices kept by the local businesses, as there was a scarcity of shops in the town. And to overcome this, they purchase bulk items from the main market whenever they get the time.
I had to wait for an hour at the bus stop, for my friend from the town to pick me up. This gave me a chance to talk to the locals. It was a bike ride through the town. I avoided filming it and taking photographs just so that I could take the best out of it. The morning air was cold, fresh and promising.
Wage Work
There were numerous small shops sparsely located in between large estates of trees. Estates included rubber, tea and woods. The river runs along the main road at most separated from it by 100m. It is evident that almost everyone here tries their luck when the water levels go down. I could hear the general complaint by local investors that the women were keeping their men away from searching for gemstones in the river, thinking it would be better to send them to work in a construction site or estate as it gives them a daily wage. If they spent their time mining they would only get paid if they find something.
The Mysterious Black River
I had glanced upon the Kalu-Ganga a multiple number of times.. each time I thought to myself why the water appeared so yellow and murky. I tried searching for historical references to the river. Starting from Adam’s peak in the mountains. Known as Kaanha Nadi in the past. Ancient past. Kaanha is an ancient Paali word for darkness.
[I will expand on this later]
The Rock Cycle and Gemstones
It all starts with magma. The red hot liquid stuff inside the earth. Hotter and hotter as you go inside. Why, I wonder? As magma cools, rock is formed.
What’s a rock in the first place? Hard substance? Nope…
It’s a solid substance with certain molecular arrangements, keeping the particles bound together.
You’ve probably heard of this before! Igneous, Metamorphic & Sedimentary rocks.
But where do we begin? We can start from the weakest and follow its way to the strongest of the three. Sedimentary rock. Delicate. Used in construction. Sandstone. Wears down over time. Like the pyramids! 💀☠️
This sediment is washed down by water.
Water!
Another driver of this natural cycle. Sediment builds up in the rivers as they take them into the deep sea.
Sediment builds over time, then descends downwards.
Closer and closer to the magma. Increasing in temperatures & pressures to form metamorphic rocks.
Marbles is the word for metamorphic rock.
As one Raja said to the other:
Oi! Have you lost your marbles?
Spending all this on your Rani’s Tomb?
Some of this can descend to become magma again. All this descending stuff. [improve this transition] Did they find marbles in the deep sea? How are we mining it here on land? (intro music plays) bring in the tectonic plates…
Nature’s got it. [!] Nature’s trains. Powered by convection currents. Now keeping that in mind let’s get back to our magma.
Magma rising cools down to form igneous rock. Cooling magma causes crystallization of rock. The speed of crystallization determines the size of the crystals. Fast cooling makes smaller crystals, while slow cooling makes larger crystals!
Where exactly do gemstones fit into this picture? Igneous rock.
Pockets of magma, containing special compositions of ions cool down to form gemstones within the veins of the rock. Corundum, topaz, garnets, quartz. A slight change in composition, just a tiny bit. And it brings about all the change in its value.
These are some families of gemstones [move out to another article with link]
- Corundum (Al, O)
- Beryl (Be, Al, Si, O)
- Quartz (Si, O)
- Spinel (Al, Mg. O)
- Topaz (Al, Si, O, F)
- Garnet (Si,O)
- Tourmaline (Al, Si,O, Boron, other metal ions)
We’ve made a fun chart here trying to point out the elements responsible for forming some of those gemstones out there. Have fun figuring it out!
And here’s a picture from John Farndon’s book Rocks, minerals and gems.
