Day 2

Buddha taught that beings were born into their position because of past karma and Buddhists believe if they live a peaceful and honest life they will benefit from a better rebirth in the next life and moving closer to enlightenment.

We started our 12 day tour with our driver “Supu”. Having Supu do the driving for us takes the presure off negotiating interesting road rules and directions, he also knows where all the “good” toilets a for Pearl and I are and generally makes sure everything  “is good for you madam?”

After a 5hr drive and a few stops for roadside snacks, we arrived at Anuradhapura the original capital of Sri Lanka and the birth place of Buddhism.  First stop Mihintale, a mountain top village and temple. It is believed that on this mountain top the king  was originally converted to Buddhism and so began the presence of the faith in Sri Lanka.

The site is eerie and majestic, and there are monkeys racing around everywhere as a reminder that, “we’re not in Kansas anymore.” Being a sacred site, legs and shoulders must be covered and no shoes are worn. Around the village was no problem but as we started to climb the granite stairs to the top, our delicate white feet began to feel the intensity of the Sri Lankan sun. We soldiered on with burning soles and the promise of an amazing view. We were not disappointed.

Day 3

We hired a local guide “Mr Sindhu” an enthusiastic man (reminding us of Derek’s Uncle Warwick), who showed us around the Sacred City. An ancient site with dagobas (temples), ministries and home to the sacred Bhodi tree. There was a smell of incense in the air, as we wondered around 2000 year old ruins surrounded by monks meditating. It was enough to evoke emotion. For a small offering a prayer for a safe trip and good education for the children was sung, then a white cotton thread placed around all of our wrists as a reminder. Certainly this will be something that will stay with me forever. An incredible place.

Day 4

We love to squeeze a lot into our days but day 4 takes the cake. After an early morning bike ride around the lake, we head 2 hours south to Habarana for an elephant ride. Again it becomes apparent how differently things are done in Sri Lanka. Supu has a rapid fire discussion with a man, we hand over some money and we are shuffled over to a ladder we are instructed to walk up and wait at the top landing. Not a safely waiver or instruction in sight! Our elephant “Mutu” wandered up and even Pearl started to question the safety. I mention this to derek, he just shrugs and says “oh well, we fall off and we go to hospital.” Yep, no big deal, my mind was swimming with thoughts of being crushed by the magnificent animal.

We survived and it was an utterly thrilling experience. Derek and I both were able to ride at the front and I was even lucky enough to have an elephant shower.

That same afternoon we jumped on a jeep safari in the Kudulla National Park. We saw elephants in their natural environment, water buffalos, crocodiles, plenty of monkeys and so much bird life. The sun was setting, we were standing in the back of a jeep seeing animals so close! It was a pinch-yourself moment.

Lesson learnt:

• Always ask about the length of a guided tour. (Mr Sindhu would have gone all day) 2 hrs is my kids max. Miles began to flake at at the 3hr and totally lost it at 4.
• Take snacks or lollies for times when moods are fraying! Coconut biscuits are our new friend.
• Cash is the only payment method in much of Sri Lanka. So this often means carrying large amounts of cash (very annoying) and learning to collect plenty of small notes to tip folks offering a service.

It has been an increadible couple of days, we are getting used to the fact that everything ends up with a fine layer of red dust on it and things are way more casual than we are use to but there is also beauty everywhere you look, we are absorbing ourselves in the culture and loving every minute.

Cup of Sri Lankan tea and a swim under the mango trees
Supu, our friendly driver always had the car cooled and ready for us.

Loving the colours and favours of traditional curry and rice.