Negombo
to Kandy was our route for the day. Two stops were already planned, with the
main highlight being the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage (Rambukkana)- 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.
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