Bus to Polonnaruwa

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Took the bus to Polonnaruwa - another of the ancient cities. I was a bit daunted but it actually was great fun. Everyone uses the local buses here - families, school kids, little old ladies, labourers, businessmen and even monks. You just jump on - sometimes as the bus has started moving! There is incense burning constantly which I love, colourful garlands everywhere and they showed a Sri Lankan movie which seemed to be a dramatisation about the arrival of Buddhism here, and felt very like a Sinhalese 'Game of Thrones'. An old lady sat next to me and suddenly picked up my wrist and tied a Buddhist thread around it. I am blessed! The journey was a bum-numbing three and a half hours but I totally enjoyed it.

Arriving in a wet Polonnaruwa early afternoon meant only a few hours to take in the site as it shuts as the sun sets (although it was raining!). This was not long enough to take in this amazingly beautiful and very interesting place and I regret not giving it a full day. Took a tuk-tuk around this time starting at the famous rock buddhas. I love the way you can see the layers of rock in them - they are very beautiful. I am also getting very used to clambering around in wet grass and rock in bare feet now!

There are lots of very well preserved and unusual buildings here - the round amphitheatre-like Vatadage, the giant feet at Lankatilaka temple and even a pyramid. My favourite was a quite little temple that had a statue set against a background of lush foliage, and pillars with erotic carvings on. A great place.

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Photos

Polonnaruwa
Recling buddha

Polonnaruwa
Buddha's feet

Polonnaruwa
The lovers