On the road to Kandy

We set off at a reasonable time headed for Kandy. Ananda gave us each colour coded ribbons to tie on our bags so they could be checked off as they were loaded.  Of all colours he picked for me - pink!  The one colour I hate. At least I wont forget what colour I am. 

About half an hour from home he gets a phone call to say a bag had been left behind. Blue. The same bag that didn’t make the flight from Singapore with its owner. Ananda then tells us he only checks off the big bags not the small ones. Note to self: take your own bag to the bus. 

So we turn back, collect the bag and set off again. We are on a main highway which cuts through a national park and intersects an elephant corridor so they often cross the road and quite likely to attack pedestrians or small vehicles.  Someone didn’t plan that well. Its weird seeing elephants just wandering along the road and not taking too much notice of anyone. 

Our tour leader’s (Ananda) mind is full of amazing information. This morning we got a history lesson - Sri Lankan History 1.01. So much information which boggles my mind a bit but its all very interesting. 

As we travel we see beautiful villas next to very basic homes, pass through townships with basic shops next to smart, shiny clean western style shops, green fields and palm trees next to parched earth yards, women in beautiful saris next to women in abeyas or conservative western style dress. So many contrasts. It’s not as poor as I expected but it certainly shows it’s ‘developing’ status. Roads funnily enough aren’t to bad and even some of the back roads are better than parts of our SH1. Even the electrical/power cords are under control. 

Our next lesson was a Buddhism 1.01. I wont go into it as I will get it wrong but it is a fascinating religion. Our lesson today was the lead up to our next visit which was to the Dambulla Cave Temples. In this part of the country there are massive rocks - think massive as in Ulluru. Our visit was to a series of Buddhist temples carved into the rock. 

Absolutely mind boggling, a little like the temples of Lalibella on Ethiopia but much better preserved.  The walk there almost did me in but I’m glad I went. Photos can help give some idea how amazing it was. 

Ananda also spoke to us about the achieving of nirvana and that has piqued my interest. A bit of reading for me to do there. 

So we pile into our trusty bus again and off we go. 

Next stop a spice farm with a tour guide who was amazing; knowledgeable, captivating, funny and able to give us heaps of information about each of the spices/herbs that were on our path. Here like in India dry spices are used more than pastes (like SE Asia) and “curry powder” ( a specific mix of cumin seeds, curry leaf, cinnamon, anise and coriander seeds). Each type of curry uses that same base with some extras thrown in depending on the type of curry. He also explained to us the health benefits of each of the herbs and spices we saw growing in the farm. 

Next we had an introduction to some of the potions made from herbs and spices used in Ayurvedic medicine and received a handout listing some of them. I cant help thinking that it’s odd that with all of these wonderful remedies available in many countries how come people die so much younger than they do in countries where these potions/medicines aren’t used. Just saying. 

With all that information in our heads and after this mornings walk we were pretty tired and then we were offered a chair massage using the “red oil” which will fix most everything. I love massages but like the namby pamby gentle ones. Today’s was neither namby pamby or gentle. It was amazing and had me groaning in delight when the masseuse had his fingers hard into my flesh and was kneading my flesh. OMG I was in raptures. Sadly the free massage only last about 10 minutes before we had the chance to buy some of the products we had been told about. For me some ‘red oil’, a potion for psoriasis and a spray from the lemon balm family - namely citronella.  I hope they all work as they should. My psoriasis is protesting violently and I feel as tho I am walking on glass so hopefully the stuff will work. 

We then wandered off to watch a Sri Lankan Dahl being made and then helping to shape some roti. 

As if we haven’t eaten for a while we were escorted to the restaurant where they had a buffet lunch waiting for us. “Our” roti and Dahl were on the menu too. Despite this being a buffet, which I usually hate, it was a lovely lunch in a gorgeous setting. 

It was a steep and windy uphill drive to Kandy and I think most of us nodded off until we arrived at the hotel. 

Once again the hotel is out of the township so that is disappointing. But the hotel is lovely with rooms a bit tired but generous size and witj a bathroom, in room jug, a bar, a restaurant, a pool and wifi.  Everything I need really. 

The weather is cooler. Yay. 

Some of the others were going to a traditional dance demonstration near town. It didn’t interest me but free a ride did so I hopped in with them, left them at the dance place and then walked the short distance to town. 

It was great to be amongst the hustle and bustle again although the town was unremarkable and the shops pretty basic. But I did find an excellent coffee shop where I sat on the balcony and watched the traffic from above. From there I spied a dosa shop and decided thats where I was going for dinner. I am over proper meals for a bit. 

I wandered for a bit and somehow ended up at the central market which would have bern fun earlier in the day but by now it was closing up shop. The market is set around a couple of really pretty gardens and is so pretty. 

The most impressive thing was the cacophony coming from the hundreds of birds that were hanging out there. Big black buggers that looked a bit like crowd. Noisy as hell. 

Time for my dosa and even though I couldn’t get through it was worth the wait. 

An overpriced tuk tuk bought me home. I knew he was ripping me off but an extra $2 was not going to make any difference to me. For him it will mean something. 

Getting back to the hotel I sat with Michelle from our group, enjoyed a drinkable Sav Blanc and a chat and retired to write this. 

My writing juices aren’t flowing this trip despite enjoying the tour and the people I’m travelling with. I think I’m just hot and tired. I’m sure in time I’ll get back on track. 

I haven’t included photos. They don’t upload properly but will add some to the face book posts and try to upload them when I get a better connection.