I was more than a little nervous about what lay ahead, anxious that my ankle or level of fitness might let the side down and leave me having to give up half way and hold everyone back. Thankfully, I needn't have worried. Just a few minutes after climbing into the saddle, I was happily pedalling away through beautiful countryside with a light breeze for company. For the next hour or so, we followed the river, pausing from time to time to watch a kingfisher in the trees or greet some of the local people who were bathing or doing their washing along the banks. The paddy fields and palm trees we passed were such vibrant shades of green and all the little children we met en route were so happy to see us that I couldn't help but smile from ear to ear despite developing a slightly sore bottom and burning calf muscles!
Just in time, we made our first pit stop with some villagers who quickly made us feel at home. One scooted up a nearby palm tree to harvest some fresh coconuts and we all sat around drinking the sweet coconut water whilst the lady of the house showed us the many uses that a coconut can be put to - I was particularly taken with the little cups that they make from the husks from which to drink their tea.
Then it was back in the saddle for another half hour or so before stopping for a delicious farmhouse lunch which we ate out of palm leaves sitting around a large communal table. Now rather full, we then mounted our bikes (a little reluctantly perhaps!) for the third and final time and bounced along over slightly tougher terrain for a further forty five minutes or so before meeting up with our bus and gratefully gluging down bottles of water, basking in the chill of the air conditioning and congratulating ourselves on successfully completing around 17km in total.
A game of volleyball in the pool and a beautiful sunset over the Giritale Tank were the perfect end to a very satisfying day.
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