Lunch in the Home of Ena de Silva

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 Traditional Sri Lankan lunch at the home of the only internationally recognized batik artist in Sri Lanka – the late Ena de Silva -contemporary if Geoffrey Bawan. Our best meal so far – cooked by “Mamas” and for sure made with LOVE

Our host: The famous batik artist who once used this beautiful property as her workshop was the daughter of Sir Richard Aluwihare, the first Ceylonese Inspector General of Police and Lucille Moonemalle. The legendary batik artist began her lifelong devotion to art in the 1960s. Together with Laki Senanayake she started producing batik. In the 80s she returned to her ancestral home in Matale where she has been living ever since and where she fYouounded the Aluwihare Heritage Centre in her own front yard, where she trained the villagers in carpentry, wood carving, abstract hand painting, brass foundry, batik, tie and dye and needlework. Her design work was inspired by traditional Sri Lankan art and crafts. #srilankrew #enadesilva #curry

Our bus could not enter the roadway to the house, so we took a tuktuk to get there 🙂 Ena de Silva (29) Ena de Silva (30)Ena de Silva (31)Ena de Silva (28)Ena de Silva (32) Ena de Silva (34) Ena de Silva (33) The mamas that cooked our mealEna de Silva (7)Rice is a staple food for Sri Lankans.  We honour before we eat. That that gives life to us.  We always keep it in a higher place.  So that brings health and lifeEna de Silva (8) Ena de Silva (1) Ena de Silva (4)Ena de Silva (9) Ena de Silva (3) Ena de Silva (5) A typical meal has only 1 or 2 curries with rice.  But because they wanted us to try as many as we can, so we had 22 curries in the buffet plus bread and 3 riceEna de Silva (6)Ena de Silva (27)Ena de Silva (12)Ena de Silva (14) Ena de Silva (18) Ena de Silva (17) Ena de Silva (20)Ena de Silva (24)Ena de Silva (23)Ena de Silva (22)Ena de Silva (21)Ena de Silva (19)Ena de Silva (26)Ena de Silva (25)

Ranwelley Spice Garden

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The spice loving #Morokrew also went to a spice garden in Sri lanka even if it was not in the itinerary 🙂  because we must have our spices that give us natural remedies 😉  We requested to stop at one on the way to lunch!

And not only did we go to the shop but we did the whole tour so we ended up buying more! haha!!

 Ranwelley Spice Garden for spices, essential oils and natural remedies #Ranwelley #Srilankanstyle #srilankrew #h2hessentialoils
Spice Garden (1)Spice Garden (2) Spice Garden (7) Spice Garden (6) Spice Garden (5) Spice Garden (4) Spice Garden (3)Spice Garden (10)Spice Garden (8)Spice Garden (9) Spice Garden (18)Spice Garden (17)Spice Garden (15)Spice Garden (16)
Spice Garden (13)Spice Garden (12)Spice Garden (11)

Dambulla Caves

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This is one of the most interesting temples I have ever been to.  It is planned out very well and interesting how they built caves from the rocks to make the temple.

Dambulla Caves (2) Dambulla Caves (1)

We thought Sigiraya was over! haha!!! a bit of hiking to go up to the temple!Dambulla Caves (3) Dambulla Caves (4)
Dambulla Cave temples This breathtaking cave temple consists of a complex ( 5 caves ) of Buddhist image houses. Its rock ceiling is one large sweep of colorful frescoes (2,500 sq meters ) , some of which dates back to over 2,000 years, which depicts Buddhist mythology, and the tales of the Buddha’s previous births. This cave temple has the largest number of Buddha statues (158 Buddhas) all housed in one place, including a 14 meter long, colossal figure of the recumbent Buddha carved out of the rock.
This was where the 1st Century B.C. King was kept exiled in a cave by a monk. #Dambullacaves #srilankrew #srilankanstyle

Dambulla Caves (6)Dambulla Caves (10)You cannot enter temples in shorts or sleeveless so our tourguide provided sarongs for those who were in shorts. Dambulla Caves (9) No shoes as well so if you do not want to walk barefootDambulla Caves (8) Bring socks! or good thing our tourguide had socks 🙂Dambulla Caves (7)Dambulla Caves (46)Dambulla Caves (50)Dambulla Caves (11) Dambulla Caves (13) Dambulla Caves (14) Dambulla Caves (25) Dambulla Caves (19) Dambulla Caves (18) Dambulla Caves (32) Dambulla Caves (38) Dambulla Caves (47) Dambulla Caves (33) Dambulla Caves (34) Dambulla Caves (35) Dambulla Caves (26) Dambulla Caves (23) Dambulla Caves (17) Dambulla Caves (16) Dambulla Caves (15) Dambulla Caves (30) Dambulla Caves (29)  Sponsored by HSBC as per Kim!  haha!!Dambulla Caves (28) Dambulla Caves (36) Dambulla Caves (37) Dambulla Caves (39) Dambulla Caves (31) Dambulla Caves (45) Dambulla Caves (49) Dambulla Caves (48) Dambulla Caves (55) Dambulla Caves (54) Dambulla Caves (53)At Vishnu Deity Dambulla cave temples. Ladies who want to get pregnant come here and if they are successful they come back with a gift of coconut ? #srilankanstyle #srilankrew #dambulla
Dambulla Caves (44) Dambulla Caves (43) Dambulla Caves (42)

Pollonaruwa

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Pollonaruwa is the second most ancient of Sri Lanka’s kingdoms, Polonnaruwa was first declared the capital city by King Vijayabahu I, who defeated the Chola invaders in 1070 to reunite the country once more under a local leader. Today the ancient city of Polonnaruwa remains one of the best planned archaeological relic sites in the country, standing testimony to the discipline and greatness of the Kingdom’s first rulers.Pollonaruwa (22)Pollonaruwa (23)Pollonaruwa (17)Pollonaruwa (18)  The King’s Palace  Pollonaruwa (19)Pollonaruwa (20)Pollonaruwa (21)Pollonaruwa (6)Pollonaruwa (8)Pollonaruwa (9)Pollonaruwa (10)Pollonaruwa (11)The Stupa
Pollonaruwa (24)Pollonaruwa (25)Monastery of 6,000 monks now a home for 3,000 monkeys ( 4 kinds) #Pollonaruwa#UNESCOWorldHeritageSite #srilankrew#srilankanstylePollonaruwa (12) Eulogized by Disney’s Monkey Kingdom movie, the lost city of Polonnaruwa is home to a vast monkey population living among the impressively preserved ruins. Described by the film as “a secret land of magic few humans have ever seen,” this ancient archaeological site is the best place in the country to get up close and personal with Sri Lanka’s three diurnal primates: the purple-faced leaf monkey, the toque macaque, and the grey langur. In many countries, primates are increasingly difficult to see and observe due to declining habitats. However, here in the heart of Sri Lanka’s dry zone, under the protection of the Smithsonian Primate Research Center, Polonnaruwa’s primate population has flourished. Conducting conservation and scientific research in the area for almost half a century, the center offers a chance for visitors to engage and connect with Sri Lankan primates in a bid to educate visitors on the desperate need to continue to protect these fascinating creatures.Pollonaruwa (26) Monkies 🙂  They look very small in this photo but they are there in the trees 🙂Pollonaruwa (27)Pollonaruwa (28)Pollonaruwa (29)Pollonaruwa (30)Pollonaruwa (31)Pollonaruwa (32) Each and every monkey here is accounted for 🙂  and even have namesPollonaruwa (33)polonnaruwa monkies sri lanka srilankrewPollonaruwa (1)The Rock Temple – with 4 carvings of Buddha #Pollonaruwa#UNESCOWorldHeritageSite #srilankrew#srilankanstylePollonaruwa (13) Pollonaruwa (14) Pollonaruwa (15) Pollonaruwa (16)

Sigiraya Rock Fortress

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We started our day early 9am ( that is early for us haha!! ) but if you can start earlier it would be better so the climb to Sigiraya will not be hard because of the heat.  We were also luck that morning that the sun was hiding so it made it easier for us to climb.

 View from our hotel!!  BEAUTIFUL!!Sigiraya Rock Fortress (22)

1,200 Steps up the Sigiraya Rock Fortress – A fortress with double moats for a king who had 200 wives and killed his father to get the throne. – Sigiriya, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the most dramatic, inspiring and beautiful historical locations in the world. A mythical past of feuding dynasties brings alive Sigiriya’s striking setting. It was built in 5th century AD by King Kasyapa, as a fortress-palace. Worthy of being called the “8th wonder of the world”, Sigiriya is Sri Lanka’s answer to the Taj Mahal and will astonish anyone with its outstandingly beautiful views, staggering engineering and peerless design. #sigirayarockfortress#sigiraya #srilankrew
Sigiraya Rock Fortress (1)Sigiraya Rock Fortress (2)Sigiraya Rock Fortress (5) We went to the museum to learn more about Sigiraya.  No pictures inside the museum.Sigiraya Rock Fortress (12)Sigiraya Rock Fortress (13)When I take photos I edit them a bit….. but this is really the sign 🙂 🙂Sigiraya srilankrew 2I noticed in Sri Lanka, they seem to want to keep their sights as they are and not really clean them up or try to touch them.  I do not know if that is intentional or they maybe do not have fund to maintain them.  So expect many of them to be like these.  To me personally I still see beauty in itSigiraya Rock Fortress (9)Sigiraya Rock Fortress (8)Sigiraya Rock Fortress (7)Sigiraya Rock Fortress (10)Sigiraya Rock Fortress (11) Sigiraya Rock Fortress (6) Sigiraya Rock Fortress (3)    This trees are very rare but in Sri Lanka I saw several!
Sigiraya Rock Fortress (14)Sigiraya Rock Fortress (16)Sigiraya Rock Fortress (4)Friends you will meet along the way 🙂Sigiraya srilankrew 8Sigiraya Rock Fortress (15)Very small letterings for the signs :-O
Sigiraya Rock Fortress (17)Sigiraya srilankrew 1Because it was a Sunday and it was Independence day- there was traffic climbing the rock.  Our tour guide told us that he has never seen the crowd like this before.  It was barely moving!Sigiraya Rock Fortress (18)Sigiraya Rock Fortress (19) It is a good thing our tour guide knows the place and he took us to a different route 🙂  Sigiraya Rock Fortress (21)Sigiraya Rock Fortress (24) There are some caves as well in betweenSigiraya Rock Fortress (20) You will encounter monkeys 🙂  They are harmless but just do not show your food or look at them eye to eye! 🙂Sigiraya srilankrew 3We skipped some traffic but still had to go through this.  It was here that had a bit of delay because of the artwork on the walls
Sigiraya Rock Fortress (25) Sigiraya Rock Fortress (28) This is the stairs after that gate and these stairs lead to the artworks on the rock which you are not allowed to take photos ofSigiraya srilankrew 6 Again strict rules to preserve their monumentsSigiraya Rock Fortress (29) OMG! 🙂Sigiraya Rock Fortress (30)Sigiraya Rock Fortress (31) It is good that they are very strict in preserving their historical sightsSigiraya Rock Fortress (32)Again another sign about the Lion Staircase.  I think they need to make their letterings bigger – it is very hard to readSigiraya srilankrew 4Sigiraya Rock Fortress (43) There are rest stops in between so even if you think you cannot climb, you can!  You can rest in between and take your time.  Sigiraya srilankrew 5Since we did not have time, we could not rest! haha!!  But this is my favourite rest stop which has a view of another hike right across.  That one looked really rough!  So we did not even bother to ask what that was haha!!Sigiraya Rock Fortress (38) Sigiraya Rock Fortress (33) Sigiraya Rock Fortress (37)Sigiraya Rock Fortress (36) Sigiraya Rock Fortress (27) You can only see this view of the top of Sigiraya from a helicopter or a drone.  ( Photo from an online source ) #Sigiraya #srilankrew #srilankanstyle #h2hphotographysigarayaWe were hoping to take a drone shot from the top of Sigiraya but it’s not allowed 🙁  6 months in prison if you are caught – it’s a good thing Chut @chutster didn’t get caught :-O  They stopped him right on time as he was setting up with bodyguard and wife Kim! haha!!
Sigiraya Rock Fortress (39) This was a sign by the ticket booth.  It is a pity because it is really beautiful up there and you cannot see the fortress properly unless through a drone or from a helicopter or something from up there!Sigiraya srilankrew 7Sigiraya Rock Fortress (40)WE MADE IT!!Sigiraya Rock Fortress (42)  I did not bing anything but my phone and this!!  You have to hydrate and since I cannot carry 10 bottles, Izumio is the best because in this one small pack, you are hydrated 100 X more !  BELIEVE ME!Sigiraya Rock Fortress (41)Sigiraya Rock Fortress (45) Sigiraya Rock Fortress (44)

WHITE CAVIAR CREME EXTRAQRDNAIRE

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WHITE CAVIAR CREME EXTRAQRDNAIRE

UNLOCK THE POWER OF LIGHT
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Minneriya National Park Elephant Safari

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Four 4×4 jeeps of #srilankrew travelled to Minneriya National Park which is close to Polonnaruwa. This small but convenient wildlife park of 90 sq kms consists of a lake which attracts herds of up to 150 elephants. A jeep safari early morning or at dusk will ensure sightings of wild elephants feeding and washing. What an amazing afternoon. We saw around 60 elephants, several Peacocks, White Bellied fish eagles, Water buffalos and more. Beautiful sunset on the way back to camp. Truly beautiful ! #srilankanstyle#h2hanimals #minneriyanationalpark

Minneriya National Park Elephant Safari (7)Minneriya National Park Elephant Safari (8) Minneriya National Park Elephant Safari (3) Minneriya National Park Elephant Safari (10) Minneriya National Park Elephant Safari (11) Minneriya National Park Elephant Safari (12) Minneriya National Park Elephant Safari (2) Minneriya National Park Elephant Safari (14) Minneriya National Park Elephant Safari (15) Minneriya National Park Elephant Safari (16) Minneriya National Park Elephant Safari (22) Minneriya National Park Elephant Safari (21) Minneriya National Park Elephant Safari (20) Minneriya National Park Elephant Safari (38) Minneriya National Park Elephant Safari (24) Minneriya National Park Elephant Safari (29) Minneriya National Park Elephant Safari (39) Minneriya National Park Elephant Safari (37) Minneriya National Park Elephant Safari (30) Minneriya National Park Elephant Safari (26) Minneriya National Park Elephant Safari (27) Minneriya National Park Elephant Safari (35) Minneriya National Park Elephant Safari (19) Minneriya National Park Elephant Safari (32) Minneriya National Park Elephant Safari (25) Minneriya National Park Elephant Safari (33) Minneriya National Park Elephant Safari (5) Minneriya National Park Elephant Safari (34) Minneriya National Park Elephant Safari (36) Minneriya National Park Elephant Safari (41) Minneriya National Park Elephant Safari (42) Minneriya National Park Elephant Safari (46) Minneriya National Park Elephant Safari (44) Minneriya National Park Elephant Safari (17) Minneriya National Park Elephant Safari (18) Minneriya National Park Elephant Safari (6)

Our driver and guide Chandana who has been doing this for 12 years at the Minneriya National Park ! He says he loves his job – everyday taking people to see the elephants. He had one elephant encounter / accident where the elephant charged at him from the front of the jeep. He just stayed calm and did not move. Thankfully no one was hurt. #minneriyanationalpark#srilankrew #h2hpeople

Driver

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