Keep Track of Julia: April 23, 2015

Where was I? Oh yes.......

Before leaving Pollonaruwa, we badly needed a drink so stopped to have a tambili (king coconut). What must tourists think of Sri Lanka? The guy tried to rip us off by overcharging and then giving us old. tasteless nuts. I suppose the tourists don't know the difference between old and fresh, but all the more reason to give them the best.

Then it was on to lunch. We went back to the Cinnamon hotels, but this time we went to the other side to the Cinnamon Lodge Habarana. It is quite nice set in a lovely park. Lunch was good.

After lunch, we mustered our energy for Jathika Namal Uyana. This is park on the road to Anuradhapura. It is the largest na (ironwood) forest in Asia, planted starting in the 8th century by the king of the time. The park also houses mountains made of pink quartz. It is interestingly iron which gives the quartz its pink colour. Of course, the ironwood does not have iron in it. It merely describes the hardness. There were also a couple of ruined degobas. The area has been a sanctuary for monks since the 8th century as well. This was a great site to visit as there was no-one there except us.

The light is not quite right to see the pink hue, but it is there. The structure at the top is a white fibreglass Buddha. Sri Lankans really have a talent for defacing something beautiful.

We made short work of Jathika Namal Uyana as we were tired and the mosquitoes were starting to come out. In any event, it is really just a walk through the forest and a short climb.

Then it was back to our digs for a cold shower and a nap before supper. Not as good as the first night, but still fine.

Our digs. Lily pond, large natural pond straight ahead, and the swimming pool behind the wall on the right.

Lovely setting. Some mosquitoes, but surprisingly few considering the water around.

Day Three

After a decent breakfast and settling our bill (Rs. 30,000 about C$300 for two nights, 5 people, driver's accommodation, and 3 meals. A great deal.), we set off for Sigiriya. Judith and Ian decided to climb it. Not so stupid me. Once was quite enough. Monica decided to pass as she gets vertigo and Christine could not manage. The 3 of us went to the Sigiriya Village where for Rs.300 we could lounge around the pool while the mad climbers sweated their way up and down.

Sigiriya from a distance. The best way to see it!

Elephant on the road

Poor thing is being ridden by some tourists and chained up like a trussed turkey.

Lunch was at the Vil Uyana Resort. Fantastic setting with small villa like rooms on stilts set around a man made lake.

This entire area all the way up to Anuradhapura if riddled with man made water tanks such as this one. They are lake size and were built by kings starting in the 4th century for irrigation purposes.

We headed back home after lunch, stopping at Matale to see the Hindu Kovil (Temple) on the way. The official name is Sri Muthumariamman Thevasthanam Temple. It is one of the largest on the island.

The large gopuram (tower)

There are number of side shrines set around the main sanctuary that non-Hindus are not allowed into.

The Lord Ganesha, the elephant headed god

The small gopuram

One of the ceiling paintings

The Lord Vishnu and his wives Saraswathi (Goddess of Wisdom) and Ganga (personification of the River Ganges)

The Lord Shiva and his wives Parvathi, playing the sitar and Durga

The 6 headed god Kataragama and his wives Valii (his local sweetheart) and Teyvanai, the Divine Elephant, daughter if Indra, King of the Gods. Political marriages are popular with the gods as well.