Sri Lanka 2026

After a good breakfast we drove for about 30 minutes to the ancient capital of the Sinhalese. There are many ancient relics and ruins dating from 1000 years ago. Many were defaced during the South Indian invasion. The latest fashion, temple socks and sandals to walk between sites! A Stupa The Rock temple,  all made from a single rock Lunch cooked by local women, they're great at curry, but the sandwiches weren't recommended The spice garden where we learnt about Sri Lankan spices and Ayurvedic medicines A bee hive at the spice gardens After a lovey foot massage for me, neck and shoulder massage for Neil with some of the Ayurvedic remedies and the compulsory walk throughthe gift shop, where we bought a roasted curry spice mix, we boarded the bus and drove the 1 hour 30 minutes up through the mountains to the outskirts of Kandy. The traff...

As we left our hotel we passed a lone bull elephant walking along the roadside Stopped for a quick photo of a statue of Buddha, covered in scaffolding, unfortunately  and a shrine After 1 hour 30 minutes we arrived at our next hotel which had some beautiful flowers in reception An inviting swimming pool (for later on!) and a fantastic view over the reservoir from the lobby area We drove another few minutes and picked up our cycles. Three of the group followed behind in tuk tuks. Cycling alongside a river for around 6 miles there were plenty of birds a couple of lizards to photograph.  The track/road was fairly level but very bumpy in places. We also had to negotiate some roadworks. The support truck and the tuk tuks had to make a detour!  Houses had their own or shared a bridge across the river. Rice being dried on the...

We were woken by our 5.30 a.m alarm call and had boarded our bus by 6 a.m for the beginning of today's adventure. Ruwan told us the story of the two princes who both wanted to be king and how the younger prince fortified the rock and lived there for some 18 years.  Here's a link  to (a slightly different version) of the story, to the one we were told. Also that the fortress stands on a volcanic plug formed of gnise rock. Arriving at the base of the rock we walked past a defensive outer (muddy) moat and an inner moat (full of crocodiles back some 1500 years ago.)  The inner moat The water gardens We climbed up steps Past some Buddhist monk caves Through the boulder garden To the mid point where there were some great views A good spot for a photo One of the lion's paws and a view of the climb still to do An artists impression of the lion rock as it was Views from the top ...