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Published: March 9th 2018
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After breakfast, looking out over the pool and river, Upul took us to The Temple of the Tooth. Again because of his hernia opp. he found us another guide to show us round. We arrived just in time to see the ceremony. After buying flowers and taking off our shoes we were ushered into the temple past all the other waiting people until we were in front of the little door where the Buddha’s Tooth is kept. I have no idea why we were prioritized over everyone else. Men dressed in red and white were walking round the structure where the Tooth is housed banging drums and playing a flute. The guide pushed me between two Indian women and instructed me to work my way forward. It was such a squash. Everyone was waiting to see the large, ornate, golden vessel where the Tooth is kept and when the doors were opened everyone serged forward. It was a bit of a crush to say the least and I was almost carried along through the temple and up some stairs losing sight of the others. Little old Indian ladies tried to push past me then grinned up at me with a toothless
grin. We arrived in a hexigan shaped library with cases of books and the teachings of Buddha inscribed on long strips of thin bamboo. A Buddha was there receiving flowers so as I still had mine I tipped them into a pile of white jasmin and he gave me a length of string as a blessing to tie round my wrist. Finally we arrived at a new part of the temple that had been finished in1990. Here there was a new golden Buddha and many paintings depicting his life.
Afterwards we met up with Upul and he took us to a batik factory where we watched the girls working at the different stages of their work. The toxic fumes were pretty bad in there and one of the girls had on a mask. It was interesting to see and of course afterwards we were shown into the shop with lots if tempting things. I bought some trousers which are quite unique. Then the shop keepers announced that they were closing as another curfew had been imposed
The Honey Pot Restaurant, over looking the river, was where we had lunch. Trish and I had fish and chips (not like the English
ones) and Caroline had curry which unfortunately she didn’t like. We then went back to the hotel and we heard syrons and saw fire engines as we drove back. Apparently some Muslims have now killed a monk and set fire to another temple.
Back at the hotel the girls went to sit by the pool, it’s quite hot and I chilled in my room and called Gini, Georgie and Alan. I have my own room for a few days.
It’s a lovely hotel and we had dinner there talking about the curfew and wondering if we would be able to leave in the morning.
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