Touching down in Yaazhpanam [Jaffna/Yarl/Yaazh] around 3 am, exhaustion washed over us. Yaazhpanam holds a special place as our parents’ hometown, so the thrill of returning and exploring the town at our own pace filled us with excitement! ♥️😍
I had my ace move ready: rooms booked at Hotel Jetwing Jaffna, right on Mahatma Gandhi Road, a hop from the Teaching Hospital and a stone’s throw from Jaffna Fort – talk about strategic placement! 🤣 Trust me, it’s the crown jewel of Jaffna’s hotels 😍
As we rolled in, we couldn’t miss the fortress-like security around the place. The detective inside us was tempted to uncover the mystery, but come on, sleep was our top priority at that hour! 😅
Jetwing Jaffna, a fabulous 4-star gem, stole my heart from the moment I checked in. Imagine this: adorned in a splendid old Tamil style, the hotel oozes charm with its exquisite décor and spacious rooms. Our intended brief stay of only 2 nights felt a tad short, given our eagerness to soak up more of vibrant Jaffna. However, our departure on Sunday was locked in by bus schedules and the aim to evade crowds, all because of a planned adventure to Sigiriya and Polonnaruwa. As much as Jaffna tugged at my heartstrings, the promise of exploring Sigiriya beckoned. But hey, I’ve got a secret: a compelling reason brewing for my inevitable return 😉😏
Anticipation brewed as I looked forward to the next day, eager to explore the locales around the hotel. With plans to savor lunch at the hotel’s main restaurant, my brother and I extended an invite to our uncle to join us. Little did we know, our day was about to take a wild turn! Remember the heightened security? Brace yourself, because the reason behind it was nothing short of a presidential surprise.
Unbeknownst to us, Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe and a coterie of politicians from Sri Lanka and Tamil Nadu were lodging at our very own hotel, all set for the grand opening ceremony of the Jaffna Cultural Centre.
To our utter surprise, the ambiance shifted when the president made his entrance, catching us off guard with his sudden presence. Our reactions echoed a collective “whaaaaaat!” as President Wickremesinghe and his associates eventually occupied the table right behind us. The unexpected turn of events left us in sheer disbelief – truly an extraordinary encounter! 😱
As hunger pangs struck, we decided on a plate of the Jaffna special; a tantalizing platter showcasing the vibrant flavors of Tamil cuisine with rice, assorted curries, and sides. The presentation was as enticing as it looked beautiful. However, just as I was about to indulge in my meal, an unexpected migraine hit me like a bolt out of the blue. It immobilized me, rendering me unable to eat, and consequently, I had to reluctantly leave the restaurant without even touching my food. I couldn’t help but wonder what the restaurant staff thought as I departed without tasting a single bite! 😅
It was rather frustrating, considering my eagerness for lunch. Perhaps the delay led to the unfortunate timing. Alas, my body has a knack for triggering migraines if I don’t eat om time, and it chose the perfect moment to remind me. Talk about a stellar beginning! 😑
Opting for a few hours of shut-eye, I left my brother and uncle to explore the sights while I focused solely on combating that persistent migraine. My primary goal? To catch some much-needed rest in the hopes of alleviating the discomfort and gearing up for the evening’s mehendi function. Thankfully, my strategy paid off, and I eventually felt rejuvenated – fortunately! 😁
Prior to heading to the function at Inuvil, I urged my brother and uncle to grab a bite, preferably from Malayan Cafe, an iconic establishment in Jaffna. This cafe holds the honor of being the oldest in town, established by Malayalees from Kerala who resided in Jaffna. Interestingly, there’s a fascinating notion suggesting that a significant portion of Jaffna’s Tamil populace traces its roots back to Malayalee origins. However, I haven’t delved into this intriguing claim yet – I’ll definitely be looking into it soon! 😉
The reason for choosing Malayan Cafe? Well, my dad had raved about it, and I distinctly recall savoring their dishes during our visit back in 2003. So, I was eager to revisit their culinary delights. Despite my hunger, I hesitated to indulge in a full meal, cautious of a potential recurrence of discomfort. Instead, I opted to share a delightful spread with my brother – Kothu Rotti accompanied by a side of zesty green chilies sambol and flavorful salna. Fully vegetarian! It was an absolute delight. Undoubtedly one of the finest kothu rotis I’ve ever had! Yummy, yummy indeed! 😋
Ready for the mehendi function!
We arrived in Inuvil, a quaint town situated 8 km from Jaffna Town. Guided by our friend’s family, who serve as priests at the revered Pararajasekara Pillaiyar Kovil and Kandaswamy Kovil in Inuvil, our first stop naturally was at the Pararajasekara Pillaiyar Kovil. This temple holds significant reverence in the area, and it was the residence’s proximity to this spiritual haven that prompted our initial visit.
The transformation of Pararajasekara Pillaiyar Kovil is simply astounding! It’s a world apart from what we witnessed two decades ago. Today, the temple boasts a vibrant spectrum of colors and an impressive expansion.
Taking in the beautiful view from our friends’ place on the top floor – what a delightful experience! 🤩
Meeting our friend and his family again was an absolute delight. Their kindness knows no bounds. His mother, in particular, holds a special place in my heart. I fondly refer to her as my second mother, given her incredibly loving and caring nature. 🥰♥️
Here, I’m getting henna/mehendi on my hands. My first time trying this. So beautiful 😍
Then we got food. Hehe. Fresh appam with a lot of coconut milk, and chapathi. So good! 😋
