Our tour today began with a journey around a UNESCO site which is the centre is the islands Buddhist civilisation. The area hosts ancient monuments built by kings who ruled the island over 14 centuries. The area is encompassed by thousands of hectares or what we thought was more like an estate. We were very grateful to be part of the spiritual procession held on Sundays and this time is the full moon. Thousands of people of all ages dressed in white to gather and pray and share their devotion to Buddha by offering the 2 main flowers of Sri Lanka the Lotus and the waterlilly. We were quite touched by the devotion, generosity and welcoming of these people as they offered us flowers and food so that we could take part in the celebrations. We were very conscious that we were allowed to share such a sacred place.
The beauty of this place is charming as you ride from stupa to stupa you cannot imagine that thousands of years before all of this ancient area was hidden by jungle and roamed by wild elephants. The ancient cities in this cultural triangle hark back to a highly developed civilisation that is over 2300 years. Buddhism determines the everyday life of most Sri Lankans. Hot and tired after having to walk shoeless and hatless on a hot day we were pleased to return to our hotel for a swim and relaxing afternoon sipping on a G n T beside to pool.