KANDY

Got picked up at 9.00am to explore Kandy. Woke up to an brilliant day after our rain yesterday hardly seeing hills through low clouds and rain, to a brilliant  clear sunny day what a contrast. Not as big a day got back to the hotel by 1.30pm for leisure time.  Spent a little time at the pool for a swim but this pool was very cold compared to the last two hotels. First stop today was the Kandy Temple. A quick visit to a wood carving factory but didn't get any photos but very interesting. Then to Peradeniya, home of the Botanical Gardens. These gardens are located 4kms out of Kandy. It was first built as a pleasure garden by a Sinhala king and was expanded by the British.

As we came out of breakfast this morning about 7.45am we noticed this bride and groom walking around having their professional photos taken. They are in the Sri Lankan traditional wedding costume. I feel lucking to be in the right place at the right time to get some photos.

This is one of the page boys he was so proud that I asked him if I could take his photo. He stood up so proud. Look at the shoulders.

Didn't try and get the girls to pose as there were more of them so I just took it while they were sitting waiting.

We woke up to a brilliant day after yesterday's rain. Fantastic position for a hotel way up in the hills away from the city. This is taken from our room. The sun comes up at the back of the hotel but now while I am working away the sun is streaming into our room. We have our doors opened up out to the deck.



As we were waiting for our driver took these shots for the view, taken one floor up from reception . This one gives a better idea of our position. I think we are 750m above sea level. Tomorrow we will be even higher into the hills. I really enjoy getting up into the hill areas.

From the same position but taking in more of the hills.

 After our pickup we went into Kandy town and as we walked out of the car park,  we saw this man made lake, pretty setting. Had quite a few fish in it and they are protected.

Looking the other way from the lake this old building is a grand hotel but used to be the British Goveners residence up until 1948.

Now we are walking down the drive to the Kandy Temple. Note all the different roof colours. The flag to the right is the Moslem flag.



Now closer we can now see the whole Temple. Our guide on right in the foreground.



Going up to the entrance. This part of the building was built later 650 years ago and the main building behind was built 700 years ago.

We were given these flowers that we take in for a religious gathering. Many locals were here. Our guide knelt down and did his praying and a couple of other times as we went through the Palace. He hasn't done this in previous Temples.

We came into another room where everyone was placing the flowers on a long table.

A ceremony began lots of loud noise we couldn't hear our guide for the noise. More Moslem flags.



Lots of people in this room praying to Buddha. The pictures/paintings on the left and right portray a story of this temple and correct name is Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic. The story relates to the origins of the Tooth. All very interesting.

Some more beautiful ceiling art. We were told this is our last Temple in Sri Lanka. It's always hard for us as you have to cover your legs every time you go into a Temple makes us very hot as we have to wear trousers and leave your shoes outside.

These purple lillies are Sri Lanka's national flower.

We have now arrived at Peradeniya, the Botanical Gardens. We had the choice of going around the grounds in a buggie which we chose but they were all booked out so had to do it on foot. Huge area 147 acres no way could we do it all so we gave it one and half hours. Then probably only covered a quarter of it zig zagging across it.

Unfortunately it wasn't the season for the flower producing  trees so not the colour unfortunately.

This monkey had found some water lilies and was busy eating them.

To show how big this tree is, although it looked much bigger than in the photo.

A group of school kids learning about the gardens.

This is one of many stray dogs they all look the same but I must say they are a lot healthier looking than the poor Indian strays.

We feel so sorry for them

Look at the very red face and her baby on her back.



The gardens had a few big green spaces. 

There are several very big bamboo stands growing like in the background and very tall. PT trying to show how thick they are. At least 20cms in diameter.

We are now at the lake gardens.

 

I thought that this would make a good Xmas tree perfect shape.

We now leave the gardens at about 1.30pm and  got taken back to the hotel for the rest of the day. We have a quieter day today with an afternoon of free time.

Arrived back at the hotel after the rain yesterday we had no rain today another sunny day. This photo shows that we are very high up in the hills.

Some feet and toes while we had a relax before having a swim. Very cold water.

Hanging over our balcony  looking down the road which comes up to the hotel. Steep and windy.

After our perfect weather today we got another sun set. Taken from our balcony

A little later.

And later again.
Standing in our room looking through the French doors.

Another enjoyable day. Certainly getting lots of variety. Love been up in the hills and we go higher tomorrow. Tomorrow will be another interesting day          something different again. Will tell you all about that then.