An enjoyable transit day on the tour bus

First thing this morning, we went to a Hindu temple ..I've acquired a red dot on my forhead which won't come off!🤣
The guy in the video was smashing coconuts and then burning them...whilst a bell was rung..its something to do with if you have sadness or stress in your life...seemed very cathartic to me and it was done with great gusto....
Maybe try it after a bad day!🤣

Then,a red carpet rolled out and music, while someone arrived under a red canopy,after which there was more music.
We had to give an offering of fruits and be introduced to the "priest " He took the offering behind a screen, cut it up and gave us half back ...another custom..
It bothers me that the incredibly poor people here and also seen in Thailand and Cambodia...bring these gifts and add money as well ,that they possibly can't afford...the fruit was a number of different items. They do this offering regularly...
I find it worrying..especially when you see the overall shabby chic, ramshackle state of most of the areas we are visiting or passing through ..which implies general poverty..
For us,here , things are ridiculously cheap, but not so for the locals who I imagine don't earn good wages.

Overall today was a transit day from our last hotel in the centre of Kandy to one near the hill known as Adams Peak...some 5000 steps high which takes 7hrs to ascent and descent.....
I have no intention of finding out ! Not least, because those who are going will start at 2am!...no chance..I like my sleep 😴
In the morning after breakfast, il go a little way up till I've had enough and then mooch around the local shabby chic shops near our hotel.
The bus journey was interesting, with chance to capture some of the shops in photos.

There are loads of scrap metal type car places with all manner of spare parts stacked up....from one door to half a car...front or back ...take your pick...or maybe a spare seat or ..well anything really !.its surreal!

The buses fascinate me..they are soooo ramshackle !!and held together with good will... There's no air-conditioning, it seems, just open windows and doors. Also they are really high of the ground though only single decker.

At one point we stopped to watch the locals playing cricket...they all became very interested in us ..especially the children and we had a lovely time just smiling and having photos..they were keen for selfies

We also stopped at a tea shop which serves and sells the locally picked tea.
Later we passed the fields where the locals were picking tea leaves ..the sacks they carry are wrapped round their heads! ..can't believe that ..or why it's that way but we are going to a tea factory in next couple of days.so maybe we will find out.

Its not Yorkshire tea tho...that is from India...we've looked it up...a few people on the tour like Yorkshire tea...also available in Australia according to those on the tour from Melbourne.

Some of the Group are disgruntled with the tour guide.
I think he's lovely and felt for him last night when walking to Mass as he's feeling the dissatisfaction, because he told me.
It's stemmed from 2 of the Group having a great afternoon tuk tuk tour ,booked independently and relaying all they'd seen..Others then felt we should have been told about things that were available..although all are experienced travellers with access to the same Get your Guide app !......group dynamics!🤪😫🫤🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️
The countryside is very green and heavily forested I'd say with vast and numerous lakes seen on most journeys on the tour regardless of area.
We are certainly covering some serious mileage and whilst the group tour method is not my ideal..it is serving a purpose.Read more