Columbo & Anuradhapura

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As we fly into Colombo we are struck by the abundance of Palm trees a beautiful sight, North is a range of Hills which must be the Hill Country around Kandy, where we will be visiting later on. Hasantha meets us after Passport Control with our Driver and car to transport us to Anuradhapura and our accommodation for the night, we arrive just before dark and take a swim in the pool to be joined by rather large fruit bats flying above our heads! A lovely Sri Lankan curry and bed calls.



The morning see's us taking to two wheels to visit of much of this sprawling sight as we can, the ruins of Anuradhapura remains one of South Asia's most electrifying sights, a rich collection of archaeological and architectural wonders. We attempt to make a circular tour, but that proves a little more difficult, with what is only a basic map, helpful locals turn us back at one junction insisting we take another route, the temperature which is around 30c with high humidity makes the 5hrs of sightseeing tiring, and thirsty work, so there are several stops to take on more fluids, a cold beer would have been great, but we have to settle with a warm bottle of pop! The Highlights of the site are the numerous Dagoba's, Palaces (or remains of) the land around is rather like a pleasant green park. We walk around the Dagoba's barefoot which is the requirement around all the religious sights, something our western soles find none to easy in the heat of the day!



The Sri Maha Bodhi the sacred Bodhi Tree has a huge line of Sri Lankans making their pilgrimage to this important site, the tree is the oldest authenticated tree in the world and has been tended by guardians for over 2000 years. It is a cutting brought from India by Princess Sangamitta, sister of Mahinda (who introduced the Buddha's teachings into Sri Lanka) There are plenty of people with offerings of beautiful flowers, the railings are festooned with prayer flags, and they sing and chant and seemingly wanting to spend us much time near the Bodhi tree as possible.



Another incredible and beautiful sight is that of the Kuttam Pokuna (twin ponds) They were likely used by monks from the monastery, today the water looks rather green an d is now home to fish and turtles! It is time to make our way back through some areas of the site back to the Hotel to drive to Habarana where we make good time and even manage to organise an evening Safari at Minneriya National Park, we visit in the Dry season, considered to the best time to visit. By then water in the tank has dried up exposing grasses and shoots,

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Photos

Ruvanvelisaya Dagoba
Said to be King Dutugemunu's finest construction, however he did not live to see it completed

Sri Maha Bodhi
The Sacred Bodhi Tree

Kuttam Pokuna
The swimming pool-like Twin Ponds.

Palace Steps
Palace ruins stand in green glades around Anuradhapura

Ratnaprasada
Guardstones dating from the 8th century

Elephants
Minneriya National Park

Minneriya
Safari Jeep