SRI LANKA, PEARL OF THE ORIENT.

I made a trip to Sri Lanka from 10 to 19 Dec 2014. After landing in Colombo Airport at about 0200 hrs, we had a short sleep in the hotel in Seeduwa and left early on 11 Dec for Pinnawala, where we visited the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage started in 1975 to breed and take care of orphaned elephants. Here, the elephants are brought for their daily shower in a river nearby. Our trip basically took us to the central and southern parts of the country. Come and journey with me.

The top of Sigiriya Rock, Sri Lanka's most historic site. It is the 5th Century rock citadel of a king. This is where his palace was located.

The actual site of the king's palace.

Need to access the rock via this staircase. Those with weak knees are discouraged from climbing. If you click on the pic, you can see the "lion's paws" which are covered with moss.

These huge boulders lead the way to the rock.

View as we approached the rock.

One person gave the climb a miss, hence only 9 jolly people in this pic.

First impression of Sigiriya Rock (which resembles a lion).

Albeit it's called the Lion Rock, from another angle, it does look like an elephant.

SRI LANKA, PEARL OF THE ORIENT (Cont'd)

This wall carving shows the four states of the Buddha.

In Pollonnaruwa (which used to be the capital of Sri Lanka in the 11th Century), this building used to house the Sacred Tooth. It is now housed in Kandy.

 A stupa in Pollonnawura. The entrance can be seen.

An ancient book carved out of stone.

Remnants of what was the king's palace. Pollonnaruwa is a World Heritage Site.

The dining area of Amaya Lake Resort in Dambulla. Lots of nice curry were served for meals.

That's how the name Amaya Lake was derived but of course this is no lake. It's a tank (reservoir).

SRI LANKA, PEARL OF THE ORIENT (Cont'd)

The 'seat' attributed to Arthur, purportedly the first tourist guide in Kandy.

This bath house dates back to an earlier era when the king's women (concubines eg) would take their baths here. It's being renovated.

You won't be wrong to think this is a natural lake in Kandy but it's a tank (reservoir).

Attending a cooking demo on how to use spices in curries.

And enjoying a shoulder massage.

The plant from which the spice, Cardamom, is produced.

The good doctor telling us about the benefits of Sri Lankan spices.

This is one of the tanks (reservoirs) which Sri Lanka from the time of the kings and the colonial masters have had to build as the country is called the "dry zone" and rainfall only occurs during the monsoon period at the end of the year. This particular tank (and others) burst its sluice gates about 3 days after we left causing floods which eventually made 1 million people homeless and caused untold damage to crops esp rice paddies.

SRI LANKA, PEARL OF THE ORIENT (Cont'd)

Fire-walking at a Kandy cultural show.

Drums form the music for the cultural show.

The Sacred Tooth Relic Temple in Kandy.

Why the ancient bathhouse is being renovated.

A Kandy vendor selling king coconuts and other forms of refreshment.

Sri Lankan hippie culture?

Kandy from the hotel balcony. Kandy is a World Heritage Site and was the last capital of the Sri Lankan kings before it was brought under British rule in 1815.

Now I know why the owner of the gem museum we visited is able to afford such vintage cars!?

SRI LANKA, PEARL OF THE ORIENT (Cont'd)

Shopping at a local market in Nuwara Eliya.

The peak where the antennae are is the highest point in Sri Lanka.

In Nuwara Eliya, this hotel means what they say - non-vegetarians not welcomed!

Spotted this waterfall from the restaurant where we lunched. Waterfalls are abundant in Sri Lanka.

A durian tree in the Royal Botanical Gardens. It's huge; unfortunately, it wasn't in season.

Monks are revered in Sri Lanka. Even though these are novices, our ladies also did 'homage' to them.

Sprawling lawn in the gardens.

A rare species of coconuts called the 'double coconut'. Native to the Seychelles only, this plant and others here might have floated to Sri Lanka in the ocean.

One of the oldest golf clubs in Sri Lanka. Entrance fees are very pricey too!

Encouraged by our guide, "John Obama", my Macik bought Sri Lankan Toto. Each ticket costs 20 rupees.

SRI LANKA, PEARL OF THE ORIENT (Cont'd)

Nuwara Eliya from the hotel window. Typical of a colonial British hill station.

A colonial looking building currently housing a bank.

Preparing to load up in the two jeeps for our Yala National Park safari. This is mild compared to the one we undertook in Kruger National Park, S Africa in 1992. The mud tracks presented somewhat of a health hazard for those ill-prepared for it.

One of the bigger waterfalls on the way from Nuwara Eliya to Yala National Park.

The other nine at a half-way house on the way to Yala National Park. Very nice weather at this place with nice views but the tea was hopeless and yet cost the most of all we tried!

"Take me, take me," she would always say, meaning she wants to be photographed.

The view of the valley from the half-way house stop. Kinda reminds me of Bei Hai in Huangshan.

SRI LANKA, PEARL OF THE ORIENT (Cont'd)

This marker in the lighthouse compound is for the southern most tip of the island.

Cool and inviting waters next the lighthouse.

Visitors to Block 1 of Yala National Park will be brought here for their pee break and loosening up. As it happened a little after 0900 hrs on 26 Dec 2004, the first wave of the Tsunami lashed up here. The building housing a rest area for the rangers and visitors was washed away, the foundation of which is still visible. A total of 46 people died or were washed away. They were of Japanese, German and Sri Lankan origins. The G has erected a memorial here to remember those who perished that day.

This rock, which is well photographed, lies next to the site where the Yala National Park Tsunami Memorial is.

One of the ten tusked elephants in the park of a total population of about 200. This chap is about 15 years old. Elephants here are smaller than their cousins in S Africa.

A buffalo and a crocodile doing their own thing. The colour of the croc is due to the muddy waters!

"Elephant Rock" in Block 1, Yala National Park.

The entrance to Yala.