Day 6 - Saturday

Today we had a good look round two of Kandy's attractions. This morning we visited the Royal Botanical Gardens first of all. The gardens are extensive and had a large variety of plants and trees from all around the world. We also visited the Orchid House within the gardens which contained some beautiful examples of different orchids. 

The gardens have been visited by many foreign leaders who have planted trees in the gardens. We saw a few trees which have been planted by the Royals on their various trips to Sri Lanka. We also saw the Great Circle lawn where Lord Mountbatten had spent some time encamped when he was in the country.

The second half of the morning was spent at The Temple of the Tooth. It is said to contain one of Buddha's wisdom teeth which was recovered from his funeral pyre. The tooth has had a varied history of many different groups trying to destroy it but it has survived so far! It is encased inside about 7 caskets so we never actually saw the thing itself!

As it was Saturday (and yesterday was a public holiday) the temple was packed with worshippers bringing offerings of beautiful fresh flowers and incense. As we walked through the praying crowds inside it was a very powerful feeling, seeing how much their religion means to them.

We then headed back to the hotel for a quick break but then Catherine headed out with one of our fellow travellers to visit the old cricket ground in Kandy which is no longer used for test matches. However this plan soon changed and we decided to travel out to the new ground which is actually at Pallekelle - about 6 miles out of Kandy. Despite our best efforts we were not allowed in the ground (due to the fact that it is a weekend and only a skeleton security staff were present) so we could only take photos through various gates and fencing. Then it was back to the hotel again for a dip in the pool but no sunbathing as the sun was hidden behind a cloud. The rain has now started and it sounds quite torrential!

Tomorrow we leave Kandy and travel to Nuwara Eliya - part of tea plantation country.

Friday Evening

Last night we went to an early evening cultural show which featured traditional Sri Lankan music and dancing. We saw the traditional Cobra dance and the young women doing Kandyan dancing in their beautiful costumes. Although there are no photos of that, we took quite a few pictures of the finale. The performers cleared the area directly below the stage and fire breathers and walkers tested themselves in the flames.

It did get a bit testy when they started pouring some sort of fuel on the hot coals to make them really burn. Health and Safety would have had a field day!

Then it was time to head back out of the hall and we picked up our bus by Kandy lake which looked very beautiful as it started to get dark.

Day 5 - Friday

This morning we left our hotel in Sigiriya and headed to our next stop - Kandy.  Kandy used to be the capital of Sri Lanka and it was clear as we got higher up that the area around Kandy was much more affluent than Dambulla and Sigiriya.  The shops seem more substantial and there are proper pavements!!

On the way we stopped at the Luckgrove Spice Garden where we had a fascinating tour through the garden learning about different fruits and spices.  It's better to have lime in your hot water than lemon if you want to lose weight! The garden was beautiful and well shaded under the canopy of trees.  We were served with a cup of fresh herbal tea (even C tried it!) and then finished off the tour with a little talk from our expert guide.  Some of the group had mini massages with herbal balm for various aches and pains in their backs and their knees but we were too young looking apparently!

Then it was back on the bus to get to Kandy.  Our hotel is beautiful and overlooks the river.  We have been given fresh fruit in the room and yet again have decorated the room for us honeymooners!  Wherever we go, our local guide Kamal tells everyone that we are on 'Panni Handae' (hopefully spelt right!) which is the Singhalese for honeymoon!

This afternoon we are off to a cultural show in Kandy which will hopefully be interesting!  Tomorrow is a visit to Kandy's Royal Botanical Gardens and the Temple of the Tooth.  Then it will be back to the hotel for more swimming and relaxing.

Is this one of Andrew's?  It does have his personalised number on it!

Sigiriya and Lion Rock

Today we were in Sigiriya and we visited the Sigiriya Rock (or Lion Rock). We had a lovely walk up through the gardens before starting to climb the rock. More monkeys and dogs to see as well! It was difficult going up uneven stairs on a hot morning but we made it! Some of us needed assistance from the helper boys that were scattered around the park.

Fans of 80s music may recognise the rock and its ruins from the Duran Duran 'Save a Prayer' video.  At the top of the rock there are the foundations of former royal palaces and even a swimming pool!

After the strenuous morning we had a relaxing afternoon by the pool, eating lunch, reading and swimming. Andrew also managed to fit in some studying.

There was an optional afternoon excursion which involved an ox cart ride which we decided to pass on!

Dambulla

Went to the caves at Dambulla. Absolutely fantastic place to visit and worth the long climb up. There were dogs and monkeys everywhere (including the little friend I took a photo of at the top!). We are now at our hotel in Sigiriya where we are staying for the next 2 nights.

We're on our way