Unfortunately, despite all of our efforts, we were unable to book upper class train tickets to Kandy. As we didn't want to travel third class and the only other choice was to be on the bus for over 10 hours in total, we decided to explore Colombo instead. We had a great day.
We started out in Independence square....
....an important place for all Sri Lankans ....
Dedicated to the man who lead the country into independence.
This is when Ceylon was renamed Sri Lanka.
This all happened in 1948.
We then moved on to a beautiful city centre lake. This tree was by our bus.
In the middle of the lake was a peaceful temple, a gift from a disgruntled Moslem.
The statues were Thai style Buddhas.
We were lucky to meet a newly married couple who had come to the temple for photographs.
We wished them much luck and happiness.
Then onto the main temple of Colombo, where an enormous Buddha greeted us. There was a museum with a confusion of items which had been donated to the Buddha.
We did our best...
At the centre of it all as usual we were drawn to the beautiful bodhi tree where we rested for a while. The temperature was climbing, now around 95 degrees F
Another beautiful Buddha.
.... And more Thai Buddhas.
Next stop was Pizza Hut. Excellent service and food and the best air con for miles. We stayed for quite a while!
Next came a contrast, a Hindu temple in the back streets.
We weren't allowed inside though...
....so we moved on towards the beach for a stroll along Galle Face Green. This is a popular place for Sri Lankans to go for a break from the hustle and bustle of the city centre.
The temperature continued to soar, so we were glad of the sea breezes.
There was a small pier....
......where the breeze was even cooler.
We could look back on the high rise buildings of the city...
.. And watch excited Sri Lankan girls paddling in their saris.
Soon school was out and we were joined by the white uniformed children.
A variety of snacks were on offer but we weren't tempted.
The Green is a popular place to stroll...
.... so we joined in.
Our last stop of the day was at the main Hindu temple. We crossed our fingers and hoped they would let us in. We were in luck and what followed was magical. We were just in time for the dusk service and we reverently followed the congregation from station to station, observing the fascinating rituals...
...past the elaborate carved statues...
... And small sanctuarys...
...all the while we were accompanied by two talented musicians...
... we were spell bound by the sights, sounds and smells in the temple.
We didn't want to leave. Nick filmed it all.
By now it was quite late so we headed home to pack and prepare for the closing ceremony tomorrow.
Nite nite...
Posted with Blogsy
What great photos - don't blame you not wanting 10 hours on a bus. Thank you for another exciting blog - you make us all feel like we are there. Possibly this is helped by the (relative) humidity here over the past few days!! Now Flora, remember to pack everything. It looks like your work clothes for Sri Lanka are not ruined and can be put into service here - playing football with Sholto, who is longing for you to come home (as are we all of course!) It is the village fete today - Flora you are maintaining the family tradition of usually being away for it ... Have a great opening ceremony - lots of love from us all - Mum, Dad, Sholto and Archie x
ReplyDeleteI agree, fantastic photos which capture all the colour and culture of Colombo, it looks a fascinating city and well done teachers for organising an impromptu tour.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to seeing you again James and hearing about all your adventures and of course celebrating your birthday (again)! Bunting going up, cake made, relations gathering... Love Mum, Dad, Fifi, Teddy, Grandma, xx
Congratulations on another superb blog and incredible photos. What an amazing tree. Quite a contrast between the different temples. Well nearly home time and I am sure you all have quite mixed emotions - keen to see home, family and friends - but not quite wanting to leave. But, you will be leaving a legacy with the work to the centre and your artwork. You should feel rightly proud of yourselves. Well done to all of you. Joe - you clearly love that shirt I hope you got more than one! We've been busy gardening all morning, its now 1.30 pm and its so hot that we've had to stop. Dogs snoozing under the bushes to keep cool and I have no idea where Lucy has taken herself off to. Safe journey home Lots of love Dad, Julia, Hooba, Max and Lucy xxx
ReplyDeleteI'm so impressed with the blogs and loving the photos I'm almost lost for words. But not quite! The commentary, as usual, was fabulous, thrilling photos, and I suspect we are all living vividly and vicariously through each image and description. It must all be so exciting and almost a sensory overload but with all the photos you take and the shared memories you will take this experience with you for the rest of your lives. It was definitely the right idea not to take the train and inspired to go into an air-conditioned restaurant. But Pizza Hut? Really?? I do hope MacDonalds hasn't made it to Sri Lanka. (Actually, not entirely serious there as pizza is the best and air on must have been a welcome relief. Can you get the cookie dough ice cream there?).
ReplyDeleteWould it be hideously irreverent to suggest that one of the statues reminded me of a certain Eurovision winner - s/he won't be named (singer or statue). I adored the wedding couple - so glamourous. Reminded me of Osman and Budderiah's wedding when I was about 4 (yes Joseph I can remember that far back!). The contrasting temples were quite dizzying. The array of costumes breathtaking.
Enjoy the opening ceremony. Appreciate and take pride in all you've contributed and achieved. I'm in awe of the end result. It doesn't seem possible you've completed so much in such a short time. Very well done indeed. Words have finally failed me!!
Joseph I hope to see 'that' shirt up close and personal. I did notice that that the blue T with the white stripe got downgraded from 'BEST' to 'working'. Clearly the segregated, marked bags didn't work. And I don't care because I'm going to see you tomorrow and I can't think of anything I want more. Darling I've missed you so much, and I'm so excited.
Hugs to all. A confetti of congratulations. Revel in the opening ceremony. And don't be too sad when you leave. A demain. J - love you masses, more and most plus one and no returns. Russell and I will pick you up tomorrow. Xxxxxxx
Hi Robert.
ReplyDeleteIt has been such a delight following your activities and the progress of the project through the blog. The photographs have been fabulous - our thanks to the photographer and to all those who have provided the documentory - we are hugely grateful.
We hope you have enjoyed the whole experience Robert - but how do you follow a "holiday" such as this?! Impossible! (Apart from sleeping for a week?).
We are looking forward to seeing you and hearing about your adventures firsthand.
Until then, enjoy your remaining time in Sri Lanka. Take care.
Lots of love, Nana & Gramps. XX
This looked like a great day out - it really does seem to have been a fantastic place. Mind you, the weather here seems to have been in competition here in England! Missing you, G . Xxxxx mum
ReplyDelete