Lion Rock
We started cultural and historical exploration of Sri Lanka on second day. Places identified for this exploration included Anuradhapura, Sigiriya and Polonnaruva, however we decided to strike off Anuradhapura from list. In fact that was one of the wise decisions; matter of fact is militant group bombed air force base in Anuradhapura while we were in Sri Lanka.
Sigiriya is royal capital of King Kasyapa, it has a palace complex built on a rock 200 meters high from level ground. We hired guide, his name is ‘Karu’. He is friendly and cheerful guy who explained many facts about Sigiriya with good deal of patience. Here is the first thing he said about palace complex. “King Kasyapa lived here with his 500 wives, what you think of having 500 women in your life”, oh well! We tried to answer his question however the answers are not as interesting as the question itself, I would rather not write our answers. I think he coined this question for attracting us-four young men to the stories that this rock palace has to unwind.
King Kasyapa exiled his brother to India for crown; later his brother came back and fought King. King got defeated and he committed suicide, widowing his 500 wives.
Excavated palace complex presents highly unique fifth century architecture, gardening, irrigation facilities, engineering, hydraulics and most importantly art. It may take an hour or two to reach the summit. On the way up to the summit we saw remains of frescos on the rock. Frescos are done on rock depressions so that it will not be affected from rain; moreover rock is carved to make a small projection above the depression to protect frescos from running water.
There are six frescos in good shape, portrays beautiful female figures wearing ornaments and carrying flowers. Some looked like they are riding on clouds like celestial nymphs.
We started from Sigiriya by 02.30 pm and reached Polonnaruva by 3.00 pm. Polonnaruva is ancient capital of king Kasyapa. There is a museum, excavated Buddhist temples, monastery and sculptures. Researches on these excavated structures and art is still underway, most of it does not have any written historical evidences to prove their age and description. There are many hypothesis and speculations about the art forms and sculpture. For instance the some of the art and sculpture are of Apsara and goddesses, depicting youth and fertility. These are must see places in Sri Lanka, I think.
We spend last night in Sigiriya and started off to Kandy next day.
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Resplendent Land - Chapter Two
Orphans of Pinnawala
Being stricken by civil war, Sri Lanka for sure has orphans and orphanages. Shelter for deprived souls does not extend much to tourists, but this orphanage is visited by many tourists every year. There can be many reasons why a baby elephant is an orphan, mother elephant may be killed or died. Most of the elephants would not be killed if they are not born with tusk. Sometimes even villagers killed elephant for protecting their crops, land and house. In Sigriya we stayed in a guest house located middle of a forest. They have all sort of stuff to scare elephants away. Sometimes it won’t work out and they may go for bloody ways.
We saw elephants of different generations there; I have seen lots of elephants in my life before, some days even at office premises, not wild one – docile and trained elephants designated to welcome clients from other countries. May be they believed this poor animal can impress clients and bring big fortunes. When I was a kid, I have learned about elephants and their versatility that helps humankind.
However their role software industry was neither written nor there were even an unclear mention. I shouldn’t be skeptical about an elephant’s role or services in software industry even if I feel these poor animals would not be used for these purposes.
Those baby elephants lives there peacefully, I liked this place. I learned elephants can drink two liters of milk in less than 30 second. If you are in elephant orphanage of Pinnawala at feeding time they will allow you to feed those cute creatures. Mahouts expect tip after you feed an elephants that’s all you need to know about “how to feed an elephant?” It’s a wonderful experience. We couldn’t do much on the first day, we had only afternoon hours. We reached guest house in Sigriya. It’s a small guest house, very clean, scenic and truly nice place to spend evening with friends.
Being stricken by civil war, Sri Lanka for sure has orphans and orphanages. Shelter for deprived souls does not extend much to tourists, but this orphanage is visited by many tourists every year. There can be many reasons why a baby elephant is an orphan, mother elephant may be killed or died. Most of the elephants would not be killed if they are not born with tusk. Sometimes even villagers killed elephant for protecting their crops, land and house. In Sigriya we stayed in a guest house located middle of a forest. They have all sort of stuff to scare elephants away. Sometimes it won’t work out and they may go for bloody ways.
We saw elephants of different generations there; I have seen lots of elephants in my life before, some days even at office premises, not wild one – docile and trained elephants designated to welcome clients from other countries. May be they believed this poor animal can impress clients and bring big fortunes. When I was a kid, I have learned about elephants and their versatility that helps humankind.
However their role software industry was neither written nor there were even an unclear mention. I shouldn’t be skeptical about an elephant’s role or services in software industry even if I feel these poor animals would not be used for these purposes.
Those baby elephants lives there peacefully, I liked this place. I learned elephants can drink two liters of milk in less than 30 second. If you are in elephant orphanage of Pinnawala at feeding time they will allow you to feed those cute creatures. Mahouts expect tip after you feed an elephants that’s all you need to know about “how to feed an elephant?” It’s a wonderful experience. We couldn’t do much on the first day, we had only afternoon hours. We reached guest house in Sigriya. It’s a small guest house, very clean, scenic and truly nice place to spend evening with friends.
Resplendent Land - Chapter One
Nothing happens just like that; everything is designed and has its causes. Chain of actions and upshots take us to new horizon. Analyzing strands of very chain that took us to Sri Lanka is not of great concern to me and wasn’t ever, however for who asked us why Sri Lanka. Here is my answer - its serendipity. This island was serendipity, that’s the very reason why we visit this island. If this island was not discovered then we would not be in Sri Lanka.
Most I have read about Sri Lanka was stories of relentless civil war, Tsunami, sufferings of evicted people. These problems apart, this country have wealth of nature, culture and history of prosperity these attracted travelers. On AD 2007 Oct 17 we a group of four buddies reached Bandaranayake International Airport (Colombo).
We had a plan and we were all set to experience and enjoy most this land has to offer, having said this to be truthful, I must say there was tint of fear. We decided to forget everything that we knew about frenzied attacks by militant group in Colombo recently. After immigration procedures and customs security check we got out of Airport. We got visa without any questions asked, valid up to 30 days from issuance. I was pulled into an illegal action right after I got my visa stamped. First Sri Lankan I ever spoke in person was emigration officer and he asked me for a favor, unfortunately illegitimate but fairly simple. I agreed to take a risk and help him out. The deal was this; officer had two bottles of scotch whiskey in his office, those were bought from duty free shop at airport. Law prohibit him to take that out from airport, however it’s legal for a foreigner to do the same. All I have to do - be an owner of those two bottles for 10 to 15 minutes and clear customs and security checks. One of his friends who worked in airport came along with me to exit and I handed over the bottles to him.
Renting car and a driver is cheap when compared to all other places I have been to.
Some of the travel agencies have small van which can seat up to eight adults; all vehicles in Sri Lanka are imported from other countries. We rented city van - Toyota Nova. Lot of used cars is imported from Japan our driver ‘Raja” said. In Singhalese “ayya” means brother. From here on I would refer to Raja as Ayya, we called him “Rajayya”. If I ever write about people I have met during this visit to Sri Lanka, he will be the first one I will be writing about.
Places we have visited in Sri Lanka:
First day: Pinnawala
First night, Second day and night: Sigiriya and Polonnaruwa
Third day and night: Kandy
Fourth day: Nuwara Eliya
Fourth Night, fifth day and night: Negombo and Colombo
I don’t want to write everything in one post. I will write about places and people I met in separate posts. I am trying hard to be organized.
Most I have read about Sri Lanka was stories of relentless civil war, Tsunami, sufferings of evicted people. These problems apart, this country have wealth of nature, culture and history of prosperity these attracted travelers. On AD 2007 Oct 17 we a group of four buddies reached Bandaranayake International Airport (Colombo).
We had a plan and we were all set to experience and enjoy most this land has to offer, having said this to be truthful, I must say there was tint of fear. We decided to forget everything that we knew about frenzied attacks by militant group in Colombo recently. After immigration procedures and customs security check we got out of Airport. We got visa without any questions asked, valid up to 30 days from issuance. I was pulled into an illegal action right after I got my visa stamped. First Sri Lankan I ever spoke in person was emigration officer and he asked me for a favor, unfortunately illegitimate but fairly simple. I agreed to take a risk and help him out. The deal was this; officer had two bottles of scotch whiskey in his office, those were bought from duty free shop at airport. Law prohibit him to take that out from airport, however it’s legal for a foreigner to do the same. All I have to do - be an owner of those two bottles for 10 to 15 minutes and clear customs and security checks. One of his friends who worked in airport came along with me to exit and I handed over the bottles to him.
Renting car and a driver is cheap when compared to all other places I have been to.
Some of the travel agencies have small van which can seat up to eight adults; all vehicles in Sri Lanka are imported from other countries. We rented city van - Toyota Nova. Lot of used cars is imported from Japan our driver ‘Raja” said. In Singhalese “ayya” means brother. From here on I would refer to Raja as Ayya, we called him “Rajayya”. If I ever write about people I have met during this visit to Sri Lanka, he will be the first one I will be writing about.
Places we have visited in Sri Lanka:
First day: Pinnawala
First night, Second day and night: Sigiriya and Polonnaruwa
Third day and night: Kandy
Fourth day: Nuwara Eliya
Fourth Night, fifth day and night: Negombo and Colombo
I don’t want to write everything in one post. I will write about places and people I met in separate posts. I am trying hard to be organized.
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