Bolivia - Salt flats of Salar de Uyuni
Foto: The Vasagare temple (bron: Ronald van der Veer)
Sri_Lanka - Today is Puja in Sri Lanka due to the full moon. Ajbriy already told me this often means rain. I wonder if the two are connected. As I leave my cottage, I notice he was right. Large raindrops are falling from the sky. Judging by the clouds, it doesn’t seem like it will clear up soon. A pity, because today I plan to visit the UNESCO site of Polonnaruwa. Polonnaruwa was founded in 1070 by King Vijayabahu. During his reign, it was the capital of his kingdom. After his death, his successors further enriched the city until it was abandoned following an invasion by King Kalinga Magha in 1214. Since then, the jungle has reclaimed the site. Polonnaruwa is about forty kilometers from Sigiriya. On the way, I hope it will stop raining, but it only intensifies. The planned bike tour among the temples is canceled. I’ll have to do it by car. Ajbriy first takes me to the museum. Scale models show what the complex must have looked like in the past. There are also photos of the main temples I will visit today. In the far south stands a statue of King Parakramabahu. Large puddles lie near the former library. Some Sri Lankan children try to pass through the central section without getting wet. I wear my Tevas and can walk through the puddles. Through the ruins of the palace, the audience hall, and the bathhouse, I reach the Vatadage temple. This round temple with four Buddha statues is one of the holiest for Buddhists. Surrounding it are the Thuparama, the Temple of the Tooth, and the six-story Satmahal Prasada temple. As I head north, it’s still raining. Puddles are everywhere. It’s hard to take photos without capturing someone’s colorful umbrella. The Gal Vihara statue is considered the most beautiful in Polonnaruwa. Four Buddha statues carved from a rock wall are magnificent. The fifteen-meter-long reclining Buddha is especially impressive. Opposite Gal Vihara is the Lankatilaka temple. It houses the largest Buddha statue in Polonnaruwa — sixteen meters high. Sadly, its head is broken off. I finish at the Lotus Pond, a pool shaped like lotus petals. Despite today’s rainfall, the pond is dry.
Safari in Yala National Park
Sri_Lanka - At half past four, the phone rings. It’s time to get up for the game drive in Yala National Park. When I peek outside through the curtains, it’s still dark. I hear a light rain on the roof. Did I make the right decision to postpone the safari to this ...
The fortified town of Galle
Sri_Lanka - Around three o'clock, I enter the fort of Galle, a defensive fort built by the Dutch. My hotel is located in the alleys within the fort. Ajbriy takes an extra loop to point out what there is to see. I estimate I can easily explore this on foot. The fort ...
The Jami UlAflar Mosque in Colombo
Sri_Lanka - Afterward, I head to the fort — the diplomatic district where many government buildings are located. I get out here and walk into the adjacent Patteh district, the commercial area. Immediately, I see countless little shops. I arrive at the Jami Ul-Alfar ...
The Lion Rock of Sigiriya
Sri_Lanka - The day begins with a gentle bit of sunshine, which is perfect because today I'm visiting the ancient palace of Sigiriya. The remains of this palace are located at the top of Lion Rock, a steep 200-meter-high rocky outcrop. At the entrance, the guide ...
The rock temples of Dambulla
Sri_Lanka - It rained well into the night, but when I step out of my cottage, it’s dry. Today I’m traveling from Sirigiya to the highlands of Kandy. After an hour’s drive, I arrive in Dambulla. In Dambulla lie five Buddhist cave temples. Right at the entrance, ...
The Temple of the Tooth Relic in Kandy
Sri_Lanka - Around half past four, I arrive at the Red Cross building. A traditional dance performance is being held here. The show, with traditional costumes, is actually performed solely for tourists. At the end of the colorful performance, a fire dancer appears. ...