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Sri Lanka

March - April 2023
  • Andrew's Travels
A photojournal of travels through Sri Lanka with Explore Travel on their "Sri Lanka in Depth" tour. Read more
  • Andrew's Travels

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  • Andrew's TravelsTravelerSri Lanka
    The Dutch Canal
    Dutch style colonial building / St Sebastian's ChurchHindu TempleSt Martin's ChurchNegombo MarketNegombo MarketNegombo beach walkNegombo beach walkSunsetThe tour group

    Negombo 1; Old Town, Market and Beach

    March 26, 2023 in Sri Lanka ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C

    We arrived at Colombo Airport after our flight from London and met our entire Explore Travel group (9 total) before transferring to our hotel in Negombo.

    Negombo is a popular start or finish place for tourists/travellers due to its proximity to the airport. It is a large fishing town with reminders of its colonial post; Portuguese, Dutch, and British Empire; in fact, we crossed the Dutch Canal on our way to town.

    After a short break, we (Helen and I) set out for a walk from the hotel to the Old Town. We see St Sebastian's Church, which is based on Reins Cathedral. Many local people in Negombo are Roman Catholic due to the activity of missionaries in the past. After passing a Hindu Temple, we visit St Mary's Church (also RC), and from here, we proceed to the vegetable market nearby.

    On the other side of the market, we reach the beach and walk back to the hotel; there are good views of local housing, distinctive fishing boats en route.

    After a rest, we meet up with the group and tour leader at our hotel rooftop bar for dinner and trip discussion.    Read more

  • Andrew's TravelsTravelerSri Lanka
    Negombo Fish Market
    Negombo Fish MarketNegombo Fish MarketNegombo Fish MarketOutside Negombo Fish MarketFishing Village;Traditional Oruwa fishing boats1Fisshing Village; Hauling a beach net inAlmost there!Job doneThe catch from the beach

    Negombo 2; Fish Market + Fishing Village

    March 27, 2023 in Sri Lanka ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C

    After a good night's sleep and breakfast, we load up the small coach and stop off at the Negombo Fish Market Complex. This is close to the vegetable market that we visited yesterday and is also extremely interesting.

    From here, we double back and leave Negombo heading north before stopping off at a local fishing village; it is no coincidence that we arrive on time to see local fishermen hauling in a catch from fixed nets on the beach. This is fantastic to see.

    From here, we head off to our next stop....    Read more

  • Andrew's TravelsTravelerSri Lanka
    Coconut plantation stop-off; Trees / Toddy Tapper in action
    Toddy Tapper in actionHe's down / So is the fermented sapPrivate Hindu Temple; main entranceFigures either side of the main entranceShrine under renovationRoad sign en route / Arrival - did we or didn't we?

    En route to Wilpattu National Park

    March 27, 2023 in Sri Lanka ⋅ ⛅ 32 °C

    We stop off at a small coconut plantation just outside Negombo to see a toddy tapper in action; toddy is the fermented sap taken from the stems and stalks of coconut flowers using a knife and mallet and the tapper is the man doing it (high off the ground). It is collected in a container and used to make arrack, a local spirit. The sap is OK, but the arrack (as I found out later that evening) is a lot better!

    From here, we stopped off at Madampe to see a Hindu temple built and owned by a local wealthy person; unfortunately, it was closed for renovation.

    After a stop-off for lunch (an excellent Sri Lankan curry buffet), we proceed to Wilpatthu National Park.....    Read more

  • Andrew's TravelsTravelerSri Lanka
    View from the jeep
    EgretCrocodileView of natural lake, known as a WilluDeer grazingLangur monkeySri Lankan elephantSloth bear1Sri Lankan leopard

    Wilpattu National Park

    March 27, 2023 in Sri Lanka ⋅ ⛅ 33 °C

    We arrive at Wilpatthu National Park, which is noted for its many natural lakes (Willu). Although not the largest of the Sri Lankan National Parks, it is the oldest. Our group travels in two jeeps along the many trails here, and we are extremely fortunate as we see many of the threatened species that live here (see images and captions). Seeing the leopard was amazing, and it just sat there as the jeeps started up behind each other to stop and take pictures!

    It has been a great safari trip, and we head on to our hotel in Anurahadapura for a well-deserved beer with our meal.    Read more

  • Andrew's TravelsTravelerSri Lanka
    Sri Maha Bodhi and Temple
    Brazen PalaceRuwanwelisaya (Great Stupa)Ruwanwelisaya (Great Stupa)Thuperama Stupa / Lankarama StupaMoonstone and TempleAbhayagiri StupaSamadhi BuddhaEl Pokuna, one of the Twin PondsJetavanaramaya Stupa

    Anurahadpura

    March 28, 2023 in Sri Lanka ⋅ 🌩️ 28 °C

    The Cultural Triangle refers to the area between the former capitals of Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, and Kandy.

    Anuradhapura is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was the first capital city in Sri Lanka; it was founded in 380 BC and abandoned in 1073 and has three of the largest stupas in the world. Tens of thousands of monks lived here in dozens of monasteries with a by-population, and many artificial reservoirs were built over this time. It was uncovered in the 19th century by British explorers. There are many small temple relics here, but we focused on selected main sites.

    The first one was the Sri Maha Bodhi or Sacred Bo Tree; possibly 2,200 years old, and grown from a sapling under which Buddha first gained enlightenment, it is now tended. Nearby is the Loda Pasada (Brazen Palace), formerly a nine storey residence for monks, but now reduced to about 1,600 pillars. The Ruwanweliseya (Maha Thupa or Great Stupa) is 55m high and constructed from over 100 million clay bricks; it is surrounded by full-size sculpted elephants. We walk around it (clockwise) and see the Buddha relics

    We see the Thuparama (the oldest stupa on site and in Sri Lanka) and the Lankarama Stupa. Then we see the Moonstone; these are placed at the bottoms of staircases to central places of worship and depict the stages of life.

    We now visit the Abhayagiri Monastery complex and see the main ruins - the Abhayagiri Stupa (the third largest here), the Samadhi Buddha, and the Kuttam Pokuna (Twin Ponds) - before moving on to the Jetavanaramaya Stupa (the second largest on the Anuradhapura site).

    It's been a great visit!    Read more

  • Andrew's TravelsTravelerSri Lanka
    Dhatu Ghata relic house / Mihintale Tablets
    Ambasthala Dagoba; with Arahadana Gala behind it / with Mahaseya Dagoba behind itThe Buddha at MihintaleViews from the top of Arahadana GalaAt the top of Arahadana Gala, the Meditation RockPool at the base of Mahaseya DagobaMahaseya Dagoba / Reclining BuddhaBehind the DagobaView of Arahadana Gala from Mahaseya Dagoba

    Mihintale

    March 28, 2023 in Sri Lanka ⋅ ⛅ 33 °C

    Mihintale is revered as the birthplace of Buddhism in Sri Lanka as it is here where the monk Mahinda (the son of Asoka) met King Devanampiyatissa in 247 BC and introduced the religion to the country.

    We start at the second flight of steps, where the Dhatu Ghara relic house and the Mihintale Tablets are located; the tablets describe the rules and regulations for life as a monk. We continue up to the Ambasthala Dagoba (Mango Tree Stupa), which was the actual meeting place between them). Then it's up to see the Buddha statue and down again to cross over to ascend the Arahadana Gala, where there are great views of the whole area.

    Down again to then climb the main stupa here , the Mahaseya Dagoba; this houses a single hair relic of the Buddha.

    Another interesting excursion.    Read more

  • Andrew's TravelsTravelerSri Lanka
    Aukana Buddha / Stupa
    Dambulla Caves; Granite overhang / View from terraceCave 1, the Temple of the Lord of the GodsCave 2, the Temple of Great KingsCave 2, the Temple of Great KingsCave 3, the Great New TempleCave 3, the Great New TempleCave 4, the Western TempleCave 4, the Western TempleCave 5, the Second New Temple

    Aukana Buddha and Dambulla Cave Temples

    March 29, 2023 in Sri Lanka ⋅ ☁️ 29 °C

    We stop off at the Standing Buddha of Aukana on our way to Dambulla; the statue is 13m rmtall, perfectly preserved, and was built in the 5th century BC.

    The Dambulla Caves are 1st century Buddhist Cave Temples built into the Dambulla rock and characterised by a granite overhang. They were built originally by King Valagambaku I in gratitude for regaining his throne and repaired and embellished in the 17th - 18th centuries when the murals and statues were added.Read more

  • Andrew's TravelsTravelerSri Lanka
    Lunch at an eco-lodge en route to Hurulu
    Jeep safariFirst Sri Lankan elephants sightingViews in the parkSecond Sri Lankan elephants sightingView over a lakeThird Sri Lankan elephants sighting

    Hurulu Eco-park

    March 29, 2023 in Sri Lanka ⋅ ☁️ 33 °C

    After leaving the Dambulla Caves Complex, we stop off for an excellent Sri Lankan buffet lunch.

    We then head to Hurulu to go on a Jeep safari in the eco-park, which is part of the Hurulu Forest Reserve and an important habitat for the Sri Lanka elephant.....Read more

  • Andrew's TravelsTravelerSri Lanka
    Statue of Parakramabahu I
    Veyjanta Padada, the Royal Palace of ParakramabahuCouncil Chamber; Hall / Lion on entrance / PillarThe Quadrangle; Vatadage, a circular Shrine / Haradage, opposite itThe Quadrangle; Moonstone opposite front entrance / Buddha statue at rear entranceThe Quadrangle; ThuparamaThe Quadrangle; Bodhisattva / Lata Mandapaya /AtadageThe Quadrangle; Gal Potha (Book of Stone) with Sathmahal Pasada behind itRankot Vihara Stupa (Golden Pinnacle)Galvihara; four colossal figures carved from granite

    Polonnaruwa

    March 30, 2023 in Sri Lanka ⋅ ⛅ 29 °C

    Polonnaruwa is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was the second capital city in Sri Lanka; this was over the 11th -13th centuries, a period of flowering for Buddhist arts and architecture. It was abandoned in 1293 and excavated in the 20th century; many of the spectacular buildings and monuments still remain.

    We start start at the statue of King Parakramabahu I and move to his Royal Pakace and Council Chamber. The heart of the city is the Dalada Maluwa (Terrace of the Tooth Relic), popularly known as the Quadrangle. We see the buildings here (captions on pictures) and move north to see the to see the 12th century Rankot Vihara (Golden Pinnacle). Then it's the Gal Vihara rock sculptures, four Buddha statues hewn out of the Rock face.

    Another amazing citadel.    Read more

  • Andrew's TravelsTravelerSri Lanka
    The first part of the tour is by small tractor engine.
    The second part is accoss a small lake by boatA great view of the Sigiriya Lion RockMaking a hat from a water lillyWe visit a local house for a demonstration of food prepared from raw materialsMaking a rotiBack to the road

    Sirigiya Village Safari

    March 30, 2023 in Sri Lanka ⋅ ☀️ 34 °C

    After lunch, we arrived in Sigiriya and went on a tour of the village and local area by various means of transport; these were by a small tractor engine, boat and tuk-tuk.

    There were some great views, and we enjoyed a visit to a house for a demonstration food preparation using local products (coconut, rice, vegetables, etc).Read more

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