White Christmas in Chamonix by the French Alps

This year I decided to spend Christmas with my younger brother Aiban in a winter wonderland called Chamonix. We flew to Geneva from London where we stayed for a few days at a friend's house and then we took the bus across the French border to Chamonix. It was Aiban's first white Christmas and he really enjoyed himself in the snow.


Chamonix is a vibrant alpine town with a wonderful architectural heritage that bears witness to a wealth of history. The Priory, alpine farms, baroque churches, art deco buildings and palaces are from the "Golden Era". The cosmopolitan atmosphere in this small town is both captivating and enchanting.


The high mountain scenery, the majestic ice falls and glaciers in the area took our breath away. We rode on one of Europe's highest cable cars to the top of the mountains and then went on the cog railways that took us on a journey through time. Chamonix is beautiful alpine town where we witnessed 250 years of mountaineering history. We saw traditional villages and hamlets scattered along the 20km long valley and above all a heart and soul, beating to the rhythm of all those that live and love Chamonix.

Visit to Paradise Farm in Sri Lanka

Paradise Farm was started in 1998 with the aim of promoting organic agriculture and forestry. The farm is situated in a traditionally agricultural area in the Kegalle District in Central Sri Lanka. It is presently operating as a demonstration farm with nurseries and multi-cropping of agricultural and forestry plants and processing of organic green tea, fruit, vegetables, herbs and spices. During its 10 years of operation, the farm has generated valuable experience in sustainable agriculture and forestry, and is now ready to engage in larger projects.


The farm was started by Letten Fund, Norway, and Worldview International Foundation, an international NGO specializing in communication on sustainable development, and with consultative status at the United Nations. Paradise Farm is operating as an independent social responsible company registered with Board of Investment, Sri Lanka. I spent my New Year's eve at Paradise Farm listening to a group of frogs singing a chorus to us all night long under the moon lit sky.