Day 3 - Anuradhapura

After a lovely breakfast we met our driver at the front gate about 8:30. It was a bit of a drive from Dambulla but Jerome took is off track a little to show us a few hidden secrets. We first stopped bast a huge lake that was built by the king. It went as far as you could see in all directions and was surrounded on 3 sides my mountains. We stopped on the side of the road for some photos and Rudi went walking to find the perfect spot. We came across a man fixing his canoe that was damaged in the floods they had only a week or so before. We took some photos and then headed off to find a beautiful Buddha statue Jerome wanted us to see. After driving for some time we came to an abrupt stop...the road/bridge we needed to cross was flooded as they had opened up the gate from the dam to let water out and we could not cross! We back tracked a little and stopped to ask some guys on the side of the road. They said they knew a way we could get there so we left the car on the side of the road and headed on foot. Was a nice walk through a local village, along the train tracks and up into the jungle to the Aukana Buddha. It was incredible. Very beautiful standing at 12 metres tall, carved out of the boulder and dating back to the 5th century. We walked back through the village, tipped the local man a few hundred rupees for showing is the way and then headed back on the road for Anuradhapura. We stopped just outside of the ancient city and Jerome organised a guide for us. We went on our way to explore the 40km2 city. It was a full moon day so it was a special celebration and there were people everywhere. Our first stop was Ruwanwelisaya Chethiya the largest Stupa in Anuradhapura. We had to take off our shoes at the front gate so we had to make a bit of a mad dash on the hot ground to the next piece of shade. After we walked around the stupa we headed back to the car and decided to have a lunch break and escape the heat for a little while. We went to a nice restaurant called the Grand Hotel and there was a wedding party there. The car was decked out with a large red bouquet on the front, smaller bouquets on the mirrors and bows on all the doors! We sat for lunch listening to the dance music and festivities if the wedding downstairs. We were offered drinks and when we said yes to a beer the guy came up close and in a quiet voice said it's a special day today and we are not allowed to serve you beer but I'll serve you some 'tea!' We said we were fine to get something else as we did not want to be disrespectful but he insisted. Sure enough out came our beer in a teapot with two tea cups. Our waiter said "can I pour you a tea?" With a big cheeky grin on his face! When he asked later how the tea was I told him a little cold! Anyway after a long slow lunch we found our driver and guide spying on the festivities downstairs and headed back to explore. There was just so much to see, guard stones, moon stones, elephant pond and twin ponds just to name a few. We particularly liked the moonstone and the symbolism of it. That in order to escape the sufferings of everyday life then we need to live a simple life. We got followed on our way out to buy their stone pieces and Fudi started bartering. After telling mehe wasn't going to budge from 300 rupees we walked away empty handed only to be followed to the car where Rudi gave in and bought it for 500. We drove our guide back to his home about 20kms away and then headed home ourselves. It was dark now and we were pretty exhausted. We had a lovely dinner again at the guesthouse with a few beers and got an early night.