Sri Lanka's famous tree surgeons

 

Each country has its tree surgeons and in SL these specialists scale up the coconut trees with their hands and bare feet. Looped around their feet is coir rope - a rough rope made from the coconut husk - it is probably what your door mat is made from. Leaning back like an abseiler our surgeons hold onto the trunk with their hands and bringing both feet up at once, leap frog up the trunk. There is not a pulley or helmet in sight and they can scale the 70ft (or so) in about 8 'leaps'.

On a leather belt they carry a large knife and once at the top, begin to hack at the nuts and loose branches which dent the soil when they land. Sri Lanka produces over 2 million tonnes of coconut each year - the 5th largest producer in the world.

The Coconut Tree is known as the tree of life as nearly all parts of it are useful - in fact its value in terms of utility cannot be under estimated. For instance the water contains sugar, fiber, proteins, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, and provides an isotonic electrolyte balance, making it a highly nutritious food source. It is a refreshing drink and is also used in isotonic sports drink...this no doubt explains why it is especially good as a hangover cure.

Whilst a coastline full of swaying coconut palm reaching out to sandy beaches and crystal clear seas is a beautiful sight the one single most important tip I give to all guests is to never, ever, loiter underneath a tree....even for a moment. About 150 people are killed annually by falling nuts. You have been warned!