Location: Dambulla - Kandy
A very comfortable two night stay - not having to move on seems to slow the pace down a little and you feel like you are catching your breathe.. We were ready for bag collection a full 30 minutes ahead of schedule and soaked up the time with a leisurely breakfast. Enjoyed the eating thrill of a taster of fruit and omelettes- with fingers crossed hoping it wasn't a decision to regret as the day unfolded.
The hospitality has been top notch in Sri Lanka. It seems that it is a bit of a "thing" that the manager or owner comes out and joins the guests and constantly checks on their comfort level, their needs and preferences. So far, without exception in all of our venues, the owners have been there to welcome you and then to say farewell amd thank you. They also keep a very sharp eye on all staff and ensure every aspect of the resort is kept "ship shape." After the "dancing queens" made such an impression on the first night, our group got the royal treatment.
Today's journey saw us travelling south but still climbing towards cooler mountain areas - laughing because today is 600 metres above sea level and we have been "warned" that it will be cooler - yes, it was, a balmy 28 degrees.
TODAY'S HIGHLIGHTS
A. Temple Visit Dambulla Rock Cave Temple
We needed to make a stop over on the way to pick up our flower offerings. @Nila had a bunch of beautiful blue water lily (the national flower of Sri Lanka) for us and explained their significance. It is customary to make an offering of fresh flowers on your visit to a temple. You are not asking for anything - merely giving a gift. The flower is an appropriate offering because it represents the circle of life - it is fresh and vibrant when it is offered (stemless) and then it shrivels and dies.oh dear, not an uplifting start!
Made our trek up the hill on foot to reach the temple - a bit of an uphill climb, but the height affords wonderful views across the valley. This is a complex of 5 caves (records show that it was once in excess of 60 cave temples) and each one was filled with Buddha statues of all sizes. This has been a working, living monastery since the 5th century BCE amd the monastery has been supported by royalty and as recently as the 18th century it has undergone extensive restoration.
The caves feature 160+ statues and has been a sacred pulgrimmage site for 22 centuries! Many of the statues are carved from a single slab of granite and melded as part of the floor and ceiling of the cave. The walls were covered with elaborate designs and patterns.
B. Spices Gardens
Climbed higher and the vegetation changed. The home gardens changed from rice fields to spice/pepper trees as the climate and fertile soils provide opportunity for a variety to be grown.
Our visit to the spice garden involved a gentleman taking us around the garden and showing the groups the different trees and bushes as an introduction. At each tree he produced a little sample that you could view, taste or handle as appropriate.
We had the wrong expectations here - thought it was a demonstration of cooking herbs and spices. Turned out this was a medicinal or herbal treatment centre that was home to a fourth generation herbalist and a team of trainee massage therapists.
Station two of the visit was hosted by the Doctor who went through our 4 pages cheat sheet, extolling the virtues of the products. We were armed with our four page brochure and were provided with a pencil to tick off the items we were interested in purchasing.
On the way in @Abey's hairy leg had been smeared with a hair removal cream and it was at this stage of the demo that his hair was wiped off. A miracle, no burning, no itching, stinging ir rash. Just as smooth as a baby's bum.
The group was then invited to partake in the massage or proceed to the shop. @Mac had I chose the shop and I pounced in the hair remover, but the good Dr pursued us and suggested we needed the metabolic booster for weight loss and the "magic cream" from head to toe rejuvenation. He even offered us a basket so we could pile in the products we needed. Very subtle marketing!
Purchases complete we ambled back for the massage to be confronted by @Paul and @Barry sitting shirtless having their massage! Definitely dimmed our enthusiasm. Nonetheless we took our place in the queue and enjoyed tthe vigorous rub down that was on offer. @Mac "provocatively" unbuttoned his shirt to bare his torso but was asked to be prostrate and face down for his 10 minutes. It was a "rough rub" but thoroughly enjoyable.
C. Final push to Kandy
Made our final leg of the journey to Kandy, the second largest city in Sri Lanka at 150 000 and described by @Nila as the most beautiful city in Sri Lanka. Nestled at 600 metres above sea level it is @Nila's home and also the original home of @Abey. Large homes, inspired by Tudor architecture dotted the hillside, but its main street access was still crowded by the familiar run down stores and the traffic was absolutely at a standstill.
There was a joke made that the second largest city of Sri Lankans is actually Melbourne Australia - that population exceeds that of Kandy.
Saw plenty of school children here at the end of their school day. Education as mentioned before is free amd that includes the textbooks and the fabric for uniforms. The main road that we were taking was jammed woth parents and motorised rickshaws as children were collected at the gates of the public and private schools. It was typical school yard carpark insanity- on steroids.
Boarded a 20 seater bus to make the snaking climb though extremely narrow streets to reach our hotel where we checked in and had a two hour's reprieve before the next activity.
We scored the corner balcony unit with views. It was beautiful and the bathroom featured the perfect sized bath. Didn't waste a second in getting that plug in, the water on and the bubbles applied and soaked away the remnants of dust and dirt from the last 9 days of travel.
D. Kandy Cultural Show and City Tour
Back to the city and joined the crush to walk along the river bank to take our seat in the theatre. A great 40 minute show that featured music, dancing and costuming. All bright, strident and energetic. From the blaring of the pipe, the pounding of tthe drums, the wild dervish and acrobatics of the men to the graceful movement of the women- there was plenty to entertain. The culmination was the fire twirling and the fire walking- all drawing loud applause and appreciation from the audience.
The theatre was packed and have to acknowledge that we had the perfect spot for taking it all in.
Headed back on foot for our city tour at night - getting our introduction to the Palace, government buildings and temples.
Had to make the final part about an ATM for some and a pharmacy for others. The pharmacy was actually in the back of a supermarket that was filled with fresh produce. We didn't quite recognise some of the items on offer and there were smells from the "fresh" seafood and meat section that left us gasping.
The pharmacy was a must do, because @Merrin had left her cosmetic bag - complete with medication- behind at the last hotel. Hard to believe, but there wasn't another Tripadeal group behind us that would cross paths with us to manage its return.
As a nice touch, @Nila's family joined us here - and it was his son's seventh birthday. Lovely to meet them and sing the birthday song.
Back on the small bus for the return to the comfort and relaxed vibe of the hotel and another buffet. We are now accessing the buffet to get to a soup! We have commented that we are a little disappointed that we haven't been able to try all of the wonderful foods because of ongoing tummy issues. Have had to play the conservative card.
There were plans to hit the rooftop bar after dinner. Mind you it was approaching 10 pm as we were finishing up the meal . Sort of relieved it was closed for a function and must say those "Dancing Queens" sure know how to par-teey!
Climbing to 2000 feet above sea level tomorrow - and we don't have a jacket between us.
Weather: 28 - cooler as we climb inland
Steps: 13 798
Health Check:
We have joined back into the queues for the buffets 😂 perhaps not with complete confidence - but it meamt we could choose soup and crackers. @Maureen is on a slow burn to improvement and @Sue much better. @Chris has had a slip on a doormat and is nursing a swollen post knee replacement knee and limping and @Jill has a sore throat. Those hotels advertising doctors in- house aren't such a silly notion after all.
I am confessing that I didn't quite complete the sitting at dinner. Had to make an emergency exit, knocked a little lady sideways on her seat as I tried to escape in the cramped conditions of the overcrowded restaurant. - and just made it down the single flight of stairs to an unoccupied stall. It is that quick. About 20 minutes after food - the cramp hits - and you just have to go. Again, so lucky it has worked like that - can't imagine being stuck on the bus! And for the record, I had eaten a bowl of chicken soup and a plate of steamed vegetables.
Accommodation: Hotel Topaz Kandy - magnificent corner room - the bath came at a perfect time
Straight from the itinerary:
After breakfast, visit the Dambulla Rock Cave Temple, which has been treasured by many kings since the first century B.C.
After exploring the Dambulla Cave Temple, travel to the hill city of Kandy & commence a guided city tour on arrival.
Celebrate this evening to the beat of traditional music and drumming, amplified by a cultural show that showcases the rich and vibrant culture of the Wonder of Asia, Sri Lanka.
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