KANDY is described as the cultural capitol of sri lanka,and is in the highlands,in the middle of country.In the middle is kandy lake,made by last king,before british conquered in 1800s.we went for early morning walk around lake.huge beautiful trees.we went past royal bathing pavilion and tooth relic temple.af
After breakfast we drove to the temple,the most famous as houses a buddhist tooth
relic.
After buying our tickets we crossed the moat into temple.I think the temple must have initially been the last kings palace.
It was puja time and the temple was packed with locals in white ,bearing offerings,maimly flowers- lotus or purple lily,with loud religious band playing.it all got a bit crowded upstairs where offerings were made--but I found it very moving.after that we strolled around the rest of temple complex,which is quite large,lots of other buildings and tlittle temples.
In the pm we drove to Sigiriya,where we plan to climb the rock tomorrow.booked into guesthouse,then walked to little village.a few backpacker places and cafes.chooty cafe had great food which we enjoyed at our roadside seats under a colourful umbrella watching the world go by,and talking to some young backpackers
Saturday, 30 March 2013
ADAMS PEAK 23 march 2013 sri lanka
Probably our sri lankan highlight.
Departed our guesthouse 0230 and were soon on climbing up the 1800 steps.we were amazed at the constant stream of local pilgrims going up and down.those coming down had obviously had a long night,.many were elderly.many carried childeren.the women were all dresed in white.most of the ascent is well lit.there were many teahouses,so we went steadily up,stopping several times for a cup of refresnhing tea.
The higher we got ,the steeper the steps,and narrower.
0530 we were at last teahouse,50 meters from summit.then we we on top.lots of people.BEfore dawn the sky started turning red,and as sun rose there was a gasp from crowd,cameras aloft,buddhist flags aflutter,a drum started beating slowly,then buddhist ceremony music started playing.all rather special.
Looking west,the shadow of adams peak was clearly visible.
The band did a procession around the temple,and a monk led a service.lots of buddhist believers.seems to be an active religion ,for all agegroups.
Then the big descent.nice to see in daytime now.lots of colourful prayerflags.
Breakfast,shower,and drive to Kandy.
Departed our guesthouse 0230 and were soon on climbing up the 1800 steps.we were amazed at the constant stream of local pilgrims going up and down.those coming down had obviously had a long night,.many were elderly.many carried childeren.the women were all dresed in white.most of the ascent is well lit.there were many teahouses,so we went steadily up,stopping several times for a cup of refresnhing tea.
The higher we got ,the steeper the steps,and narrower.
0530 we were at last teahouse,50 meters from summit.then we we on top.lots of people.BEfore dawn the sky started turning red,and as sun rose there was a gasp from crowd,cameras aloft,buddhist flags aflutter,a drum started beating slowly,then buddhist ceremony music started playing.all rather special.
Looking west,the shadow of adams peak was clearly visible.
The band did a procession around the temple,and a monk led a service.lots of buddhist believers.seems to be an active religion ,for all agegroups.
Then the big descent.nice to see in daytime now.lots of colourful prayerflags.
Breakfast,shower,and drive to Kandy.
TRAINTRIP & WORLDS END 22mar2013
Kerry and sophie left early with driver to do the Worlds End Walk.they said it was great,.
I decided to do a train trip.Hapatule to Hatton,leaving at 7.30.it took 3 hours.a 2nd class ticket was 130 rupees(A1$).most of the local went 3rd class.2nd class was bery nice,modern and clean.I had frequent visits to the buffet cat for vege rotis and cups of tea,and spent most of trip hanging out an open doorway ,enjoying the spectacular scenary of this altitude train trip.presumably the track was built by the british.lots of tunnels and bridges to get through the high hills.some forests of tall pines,and of huge gumtrees,and neat vege gardens,but mainly neverending tea plantations.many have neat green and white signs giving name- often sounding very british.
In the pm we drove to Dalhousie,as we plan to climb Adams Peak,sri lankas holiest mountain,tomorrow.nice guest house and our balcony has a great view of adams peak,a tall pointy peak,looming above us,.can just make out the monastery building on top.we walked into the little village.we got some headtorch batteries,as plan to start walking 0230 to be there by sunrise.then we bought some fruit.walking further ,we went past numerous colourful stalls selling offerings for the pilgrims,and found the starting point of walk proper,.later we returned for a meal of khottu-made by frying noodles and veges,then chopping on hotplate with huge cacophony of sound.
I decided to do a train trip.Hapatule to Hatton,leaving at 7.30.it took 3 hours.a 2nd class ticket was 130 rupees(A1$).most of the local went 3rd class.2nd class was bery nice,modern and clean.I had frequent visits to the buffet cat for vege rotis and cups of tea,and spent most of trip hanging out an open doorway ,enjoying the spectacular scenary of this altitude train trip.presumably the track was built by the british.lots of tunnels and bridges to get through the high hills.some forests of tall pines,and of huge gumtrees,and neat vege gardens,but mainly neverending tea plantations.many have neat green and white signs giving name- often sounding very british.
In the pm we drove to Dalhousie,as we plan to climb Adams Peak,sri lankas holiest mountain,tomorrow.nice guest house and our balcony has a great view of adams peak,a tall pointy peak,looming above us,.can just make out the monastery building on top.we walked into the little village.we got some headtorch batteries,as plan to start walking 0230 to be there by sunrise.then we bought some fruit.walking further ,we went past numerous colourful stalls selling offerings for the pilgrims,and found the starting point of walk proper,.later we returned for a meal of khottu-made by frying noodles and veges,then chopping on hotplate with huge cacophony of sound.
ON SAFARI-YALA NATIONAL PARK 21mar2013
Up 0430'for 0500 pickup by our safari jeep,then drive before dawn to park which opened at 0600'.this park is in south east sri lanka,with an some border being ocean.it is famous for its LEOPARDS.however after 4 hours of intense watching we saw none.we did some footprints.but it was fun driving around.the waterbuffalo silohetted by rising sun were terrific.lots of birdlife ,especially in the lagoons- but best was the little green bee eater.we also saw mongooses,distant jackels,elusive spotted deer,wildboar,and one elephant up close,who came up to our jeep and put his trunk inside looking for food.
In the pm we headed north to the tea country.the scenary climbing steadily upwards was fabulous- little narrow tar road,green grass and trees.then we were driving between tea plantations.more beautiful scenary.lots of neat rock terracing,neat little dirt roads to neat little villages.we arrived at Hapatule,set on a ridge,with great views.reminded me of nepal.checked into our guesthouse,then out walking- fruitshop,cafe for vege rotis and teas,a shop to buy knife and plates for our yoghurt and oats and fruit breakfasts,then a stroll out amongdt the tea plantations,.
In the pm we headed north to the tea country.the scenary climbing steadily upwards was fabulous- little narrow tar road,green grass and trees.then we were driving between tea plantations.more beautiful scenary.lots of neat rock terracing,neat little dirt roads to neat little villages.we arrived at Hapatule,set on a ridge,with great views.reminded me of nepal.checked into our guesthouse,then out walking- fruitshop,cafe for vege rotis and teas,a shop to buy knife and plates for our yoghurt and oats and fruit breakfasts,then a stroll out amongdt the tea plantations,.
WHALE WATCHING 20mar13 MIRISSA
Up early for one hour drive to Mirissa for 0700 departure for whalewatching.Little harbour beautiful in early morning sunlight on still water with many colourful fishing boats,and whalewatching boats.
We were out for 4 hours.we saw 6 whales.whenever one was spotted all the boats would speed towards it.the whale would the promptly dive and disappear!so we saw 4 spouts + 2 distant whales in part.
Tomorrow is safari park so we drove to Kavina,checking into a cute little guesthouse.time for a beachwalk & climb to a Buddhist temple set on huge boulders overlooking sea.
Very good food at our guesthouse,sitting in a little pavilion.sleep under mosquito nets- every night.
We were out for 4 hours.we saw 6 whales.whenever one was spotted all the boats would speed towards it.the whale would the promptly dive and disappear!so we saw 4 spouts + 2 distant whales in part.
Tomorrow is safari park so we drove to Kavina,checking into a cute little guesthouse.time for a beachwalk & climb to a Buddhist temple set on huge boulders overlooking sea.
Very good food at our guesthouse,sitting in a little pavilion.sleep under mosquito nets- every night.
SRI LANKA-GALLE 18-19mar2013
We flew into Sri Lanka for a 12 day trip.at the airport we met by our driver,Chintatah.we had prebooked vehicle and driver.for same cost as cheapest car,we booked a 6 seater van,so plenty of room.as traffic and roads are chaotic,we also got a driver.nonlocals rarely drive in sri lanka.-
After paperwork,phone card and ipad topup,we were off ,south to Galle.there we drove into the old dutch fort &founf a cheap quaint hotel in an old dutch building.we had time for a late afternoon walk along the 400 year old massive walls along ocean edge- most impressive.watched a film being made on bastion rampart,then found a cafe with views over walls,terracotta rooves,old white mosque and thw white lighthouse- sri lankan curry and lion lager,the sri lankan beer- all very nice.we are impresed with sri lanka already.
Up at sunset for early morning walk,along more fort walls,then out of fort,along foreshore,to fishing port.so many really colourful fishing boats.had breakfast and teas at their canteen with a friendlly local.
After lunch we went to maritime museum-in a large old dutch warehouse with massivee walls...Enjoyable strolling around inside fort- good atmosphere- 400 buidings- houses,hotels,galleries,shops,schools,businesses,churches,restaurants,cafes.
After paperwork,phone card and ipad topup,we were off ,south to Galle.there we drove into the old dutch fort &founf a cheap quaint hotel in an old dutch building.we had time for a late afternoon walk along the 400 year old massive walls along ocean edge- most impressive.watched a film being made on bastion rampart,then found a cafe with views over walls,terracotta rooves,old white mosque and thw white lighthouse- sri lankan curry and lion lager,the sri lankan beer- all very nice.we are impresed with sri lanka already.
Up at sunset for early morning walk,along more fort walls,then out of fort,along foreshore,to fishing port.so many really colourful fishing boats.had breakfast and teas at their canteen with a friendlly local.
After lunch we went to maritime museum-in a large old dutch warehouse with massivee walls...Enjoyable strolling around inside fort- good atmosphere- 400 buidings- houses,hotels,galleries,shops,schools,businesses,churches,restaurants,cafes.
SINGAPORE 16-17mar2013
We had a lovely weekend in Singapore with Tom and Barb,staying on their immaculate yacht Gosi in one degree 15 marina,on Sentosa Island. Sophie recieved a great overview of Singopore.
On Saturday we all got the MRT to chinatown,going to the terrific new Tooth Relic Buddhist Temple.Then at 4.30 joined a free walking tour of CBD Sophie found on line.started at Raffles place,then the posh riverfront Fullerton hotel,past pineapple convention centre,massive new cbd towers,colonial cricket ground,Armenian church and Hindu temple with vibrant service.So it was appropriate to have dinner in Little India.
Sunday kerry and Sophie went for early bike ride.We then caught Mrt to racecourse road,to see 3 temples- the buddhist yellow tiger,being the best.time for lunch at roadside cafe while the heavens opened- the abalone soup and the salted chicken were the specialties and were excellent.Heading for the majestic Museum of Asian Civilisations on riverfront,we came across coplourful St Patricks day celebrations with balloons,marching and bagpipes.the museum had 2 special Buddhism
exhibitions .for dinner we went to a very local area of government highrise flats,to the Two Chefs retaurant,joined the queue,and then had a very lively meal.
Thanks for a great weekend Tom & Barb
On Saturday we all got the MRT to chinatown,going to the terrific new Tooth Relic Buddhist Temple.Then at 4.30 joined a free walking tour of CBD Sophie found on line.started at Raffles place,then the posh riverfront Fullerton hotel,past pineapple convention centre,massive new cbd towers,colonial cricket ground,Armenian church and Hindu temple with vibrant service.So it was appropriate to have dinner in Little India.
Sunday kerry and Sophie went for early bike ride.We then caught Mrt to racecourse road,to see 3 temples- the buddhist yellow tiger,being the best.time for lunch at roadside cafe while the heavens opened- the abalone soup and the salted chicken were the specialties and were excellent.Heading for the majestic Museum of Asian Civilisations on riverfront,we came across coplourful St Patricks day celebrations with balloons,marching and bagpipes.the museum had 2 special Buddhism
exhibitions .for dinner we went to a very local area of government highrise flats,to the Two Chefs retaurant,joined the queue,and then had a very lively meal.
Thanks for a great weekend Tom & Barb
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)