The Rabbit in the Moon

Sunday 10th May, Kandy

So I have gleaned more info about the group. Mum is originally from East Dene although she lives down south now. Her son is Andrew and is actually really nice. Welsh lad is David (obviously), nice people from Hampshire Are Shane and Karen. Other two couples are both nice, contrary to first impressions. Malaysian Anne is lovely, Her husband Chis is still a first class plonker.


The phone woke me heinously early and we were breakfasted and on our way by 8am. We passed this range of hills on the way, known as the sleeping soldier. Can you see it?


It was a ‘temple day’ and ‘temple clothes’ were a requirement. First up was the temple set in the Dambulla caves, right at the top of a hill. Luckily Dave dropped us off near the top so we didn’t have too much up to go. We took off our shoes before entering and left them with the shoe protectors. It was here that, after 55years, I first heard about the Buddhist belief of the Rabbit in the Moon. I won’t repeat it as I’m sure you all know. We entered various shallow caves and looked at lots of Buddhas.


Top of the hill

A few of the many Buddhas

Top again


Karen, mum, Shane, and two random Japanese who wanted a photo with westerners.

After that Ravi led us down the hill to a giant gold Buddha at the bottom. We met up with some old friends there.


Giant Buddha

Old monk friends

Ravi wasn’t amused because they were taking photos in front of the Buddha. As you all know you can photo him but no-one is allowed in the picture but him. But, as Ravi explained, these are Thai monks. 

We then settled into Daves bus for the trip to Kandy. This is quite long but was broken by a very interesting trip to a spice farm where Ian and I both had a shoulder massage from a trainee masseur.


Chris in the hat

The traffic through Kandy was horrendous so it was 2.30 before we got our lunchtime curry, after that we headed for the temple of the tooth. This is Sri Lanka’s most sacred Buddhist shrine where the relic of his right (?) tooth is housed. It is stored in a casket inside a few more caskets draped in jewels behind this door. 


After today I am an expert on all things Buddha.

Ravi then took us to a cultural show, still in Kandy, where we saw some lovely Sri Lankan dancing. Unfortunately the combination of the heat, the busy day, and the latish hour meant most of us were struggling to stay awake. The fire eater and men walking over hot coals woke us up though!

At last we arrived in the hills above Kandy at the Amaya Hills Hotel. The rooms not as big as the last one and the bathroom is positively tiny, but we have slippers!


Next up

The botanical gardens and the elephant orphanage

Man of the day

Has to be Buddha

Animals

Only New sighting was of pelicans 

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