Our last days in Asia

We took the local bus from Trinco to Anuradhapura.  Our four hour journey cost .90 each.  The buses are fairly comfortable (when moving the breeze is adequate to cool the carriage) and if one has a seat.  By contrast a car and driver costs $55 for the same trip.  Travel in Sri Lanka can be quite affordable if you choose.

Anuradhapura famous for its well-preserved ruins of an ancient Sri Lankan civilization.  There is nothing special about the “New Town” of Anuradhapura, there is no tourist infrastructure or any activities.  Not super attractive.

 

Most people come here to explore the ancient city, on the outskirts of the New Town.  However, the ruins are from 200BC so quite spread out and one must have a good imagination to picture this thriving city back in history.  The ancient city, considered sacred to the Buddhist world, is today surrounded by monasteries covering an area of over sixteen square miles (40 km²).  The best part for us was exploring these ancient structures deep in the jungle.  There is no development as the area is protected.  We listened to birds and monkeys communicating loudly, saw them in the branches above.  This area is rich with plant and animal life.  There were no other people and we kind of felt like we were in Jumanji, slightly scary but also exhilarating.

Mihintale is a mountain peak that is the site of origination of Buddhism in Sri Lanka.  1840 steps lead up to the pilgrimage site, and the site of several religious monuments and abandoned structures that date back to 200BC.  We visited at sunset, and there were very few people.  It is a beautiful area and our favorite site.  There is a large boulder that you climb barefoot.  It is lined with steel railings, but the climb is precarious and one slip is tragic injury.  On the top is a view that is spectacular although a bit nerve racking.

Our guide was Chandra, a TukTuk driver that befriended us on the street.  He had a big smile, great enthusiasm and a kind soul.

Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, or the Bodhi Tree is a sacred fig tree that was planted from a sapling harvested from the original Buddha Gaya Tree in India where the Buddha attained enlightenment.  This planting happened in 288BC.  It is the oldest living human planted tree in the world.

In April 2014, the government banned all construction within 500 meters of the tree. Only construction that obviously will not harm the tree will be allowed.

In 1985 the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam hijacked a bus and drove it here.  They murdered 146 women, children and men who were worshiping at the Bodhi Tree.  With automatic weapons they mowed down everyone, including all the monks and nuns praying.  Walking around this tree and knowing the history that this ground holds added a complex solemnity to the experience.  On our visit, large families dressed in white gathered carrying large purple lotus flowers as offerings.  The square was filled with the voices of prayer and worship.

A large stupa, the Ruwanwelisaya is a stupa, a hemispherical structure containing relics, in Sri Lanka, considered sacred to many Buddhists all over the world.  Guarded by 100’s of elephants, it was originally built in 140BC, but refurbished in 1940.

We took the train from Anuradapura to Colombo, for our final destination Negombo where we would hangout until our plane left Sri Lanka.

We enjoyed out travels in Sri Lanka. This country is spectacular.  We look forward to returning, maybe with our grand children.  Now we are off to another adventure.  Our children think we are going right to Mexico city, but we have a surprise layover for four nights in a mystery European city!  We are bursting to share the secret, but so far they have no idea.  Shhhh, don’t say a word.

Au Revoir mes amies!