Kandy (Rambukkana/Mawanella/Kandy) - Sri Lanka

Negombo to Kandy was our route for the day. Two stops were already planned, with the main highlight being the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage - a must-see for most travelers on this route. When we arrived around 11:30am, the place was bustling, even during the off-peak season, with a majority of Western tourists. The orphanage, set in a vast open area, greeted us with flying dust and the blazing Sri Lankan sun. We walked alongside hundreds of visitors, passing by stalls and petty traders, making our way to the riverbank where elephants were bathing and having fun.

The sight was incredible. Harmless, friendly, huge, and small elephants were everywhere. You could take pictures with them, as close as you dared, for a fee. Alternatively, you could just enjoy watching from a distance, though you had to be careful on the slippery surface and avoid getting pushed by the crowd. After about half an hour at the riverbank, we made our way back to the main road, just in time to see the elephant parade. The elephants obediently crossed the road right in front of us, though I couldn’t tell where they were heading.  Orphanage, most probably to the elephant orphanage.

We crossed over to enter the Elephant Orphanage, where elephants are cared for and nursed. After half an hour, we headed to a tourist restaurant for lunch. Though the food was delicious, I’m not a fan of crowded dining experiences. I quickly ate just to get back on the road.

Our next stop was "The Island Spice Grove” in Mawanella - a wonderland of spices. The huge garden, shaded by trees and plants, nurtures all sorts of spices and fragrant herbs. It was a soothing escape from the hustle and bustle, offering a quiet, serene, and comforting experience. Towards the end of our walk, we watched a demonstration on essential oils extracted from flowers, herbs, and spices. Browsing the spice store afterward, I found the products quite pricey. Vanilla pods, for instance, cost around RM150.00 for maybe five pods.

Next, we had a pit-stop at a small hilltop woodcraft center. The hand-crafted designs, patterns, and sizes of wood carvings were admirable, but the indifferent attitude of the owner  was off-putting. We left almost as soon as we arrived.

After a few more hours on the road, we finally reached Kandy by late evening. Kandy, the last capital of the Sri Lankan kings and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, sits nestled on a plateau surrounded by mountains. It immediately captivated us with its allure, drawing thousands of tourists year-round. Aside from the main attraction, the Temple of the Tooth Relic, a visit to Kandy - or indeed Sri Lanka - is incomplete without experiencing its precious stones firsthand. Whether you're buying or just admiring, Sri Lanka truly is an oasis of gems, and we had the chance to appreciate them at one of the outlets.

By 7:00pm, we entered the Temple of the Tooth Relic, a historically significant temple with a golden roof housing Sri Lanka’s most revered Buddhist relic - the Tooth of Buddha, though visitors don't get to see it directly. The serene aura of Buddhism permeated the atmosphere, touching even non-Buddhists like myself. The flickering oil lamps held deep symbolism, reminding us to be grateful.

Amidst mostly local worshippers, we queued respectfully in front of the altar, hoping to participate in prayers. However, after waiting for ten minutes with no sign of when prayers would begin, we explored the complex. We visited the Alut Maligawa shrine hall with its seated Buddhas donated by Thai devotees, the open-air audience hall with intricately carved stone columns, and the World Buddhism Museum showcasing global Buddhism through photographs and exhibits. A respectful dress code - covered attire and shoe removal - s strictly enforced at the Temple of the Tooth Relic, though photography is permitted without flash.

After sightseeing, we concluded our day at Hotel Kandyan Arts Residency, where a hearty buffet satisfied our hunger without complaint. Bid farewell to my tour buddies, I retreated to my clean and tidy room. The only downside was the limited WiFi, relegated to the lobby - a minor inconvenience given my exhaustion.