Sri Lanka - History, Culture and Landscapes

India's Teardrop! We have just completed a two-week, 1,400 km journey around central Sri Lanka (see map), which was part history and culture (this album) and part wildlife (see Animals and Birds). (My second visit - see also album An Early Visit.) We visited the main historic sites - Anuradhapura* (the first capital dating from 5th C BC), Polonnaruwa* (the second capital dating from 12th C AD), climbed Mihintale (the birthplace of Buddhism in the country) and the ancient (5th C AD) rock fortress of Sigiriya* as well as visiting the fascinating Cave Temples of Dambulla* and Aluvihara. We also visited several national parks - Wilpattu, Hurulu and Sinharaja*, as well as the hill stations of Nuwara Eliya, Nanu Oya and Ella. We finished our trip with a few days by the beach at Mirissa before heading back to Colombo. Our thanks to Vijitha for driving us around. What a beautiful and welcoming country! (* = UNESCO World Heritage Site)

Map of Sri Lanka
Map of Sri Lanka
Lake, en route to Wilpattu
Lake, en route to Wilpattu
Wilpattu National Park
Wilpattu National Park
Wilpattu National Park
Wilpattu National Park
Wilpattu National Park
Wilpattu National Park
Isurumuni Royal Temple, Anuradhapura (dating from 7th C)
Isurumuni Royal Temple, Anuradhapura (dating from 7th C)
Isurumuni Royal Temple, Anuradhapura
Isurumuni Royal Temple, Anuradhapura
Isurumuni Royal Temple, Anuradhapura
Isurumuni Royal Temple, Anuradhapura
Isurumuni Royal Temple, Anuradhapura
Isurumuni Royal Temple, Anuradhapura
Isurumuni Royal Temple, Anuradhapura
Isurumuni Royal Temple, Anuradhapura
Isurumuni Royal Temple, Anuradhapura
Isurumuni Royal Temple, Anuradhapura
Isurumuni Royal Temple, Anuradhapura
Isurumuni Royal Temple, Anuradhapura
Sacred Banyan Tree, Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, Anuradhapura
Sacred Banyan Tree, Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, Anuradhapura
Worshippers, Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, Anuradhapura
Worshippers, Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, Anuradhapura
Monk taking selfie, Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, Anuradhapura
Monk taking selfie, Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, Anuradhapura
Ruwanweli Maha Seya, Anuradhapura (dating from 1st C BC)
Ruwanweli Maha Seya, Anuradhapura (dating from 1st C BC)
Ruwanweli Maha Seya, Anuradhapura
Ruwanweli Maha Seya, Anuradhapura
Worshippers, Ruwanweli Maha Seya, Anuradhapura
Worshippers, Ruwanweli Maha Seya, Anuradhapura
Ruwanweli Maha Seya, Anuradhapura
Ruwanweli Maha Seya, Anuradhapura
Ruwanweli Maha Seya, Anuradhapura
Ruwanweli Maha Seya, Anuradhapura
Ruwanweli Maha Seya, Anuradhapura
Ruwanweli Maha Seya, Anuradhapura
Worshippers, Ruwanweli Maha Seya, Anuradhapura
Worshippers, Ruwanweli Maha Seya, Anuradhapura
Worshippers, Ruwanweli Maha Seya, Anuradhapura
Worshippers, Ruwanweli Maha Seya, Anuradhapura
Thuparama Vihara, Anuradhapura (dating from 3rd C BC)
Thuparama Vihara, Anuradhapura (dating from 3rd C BC)
Monks and pilgrims, Thuparama Vihara, Anuradhapura
Monks and pilgrims, Thuparama Vihara, Anuradhapura
Monks and pilgrims, Thuparama Vihara, Anuradhapura
Monks and pilgrims, Thuparama Vihara, Anuradhapura
Abhayagiri Viharaya, Anuradhapura (dating from 2nd C BC)
Abhayagiri Viharaya, Anuradhapura (dating from 2nd C BC)
Abhayagiri Viharaya, Anuradhapura
Abhayagiri Viharaya, Anuradhapura
Samadi Buddha, Anuradhapura
Samadi Buddha, Anuradhapura
Elephant Pond, Anuradhapura
Elephant Pond, Anuradhapura
Moonstone, Anuradhapura
Moonstone, Anuradhapura
Moonstone, Anuradhapura
Moonstone, Anuradhapura
Guardstone, Anuradhapura
Guardstone, Anuradhapura
Twin Pond, Anuradhapura
Twin Pond, Anuradhapura
Twin Pond, Anuradhapura
Twin Pond, Anuradhapura
Twin Pond, Anuradhapura
Twin Pond, Anuradhapura
Buddha, Anuradhapura
Buddha, Anuradhapura
Approach to Mihindu Seya, Mihintale
Approach to Mihindu Seya, Mihintale
Mihindu Seya, Mihintale (dating from 3rd C BC)
Mihindu Seya, Mihintale (dating from 3rd C BC)
View from Mihindu Seya, Mihintale
View from Mihindu Seya, Mihintale
Mihindu Seya, Mihintale
Mihindu Seya, Mihintale
Mihindu Seya, Mihintale
Mihindu Seya, Mihintale
Mihindu Seya, Mihintale
Mihindu Seya, Mihintale
Mihindu Seya, Mihintale
Mihindu Seya, Mihintale
View from Lake Forest Hotel, Anuradhapura
View from Lake Forest Hotel, Anuradhapura
Man gathering flowers, en route to Sigiriya
Man gathering flowers, en route to Sigiriya
Lake, en route to Sigiriya
Lake, en route to Sigiriya
Moat, Sigiriya
Moat, Sigiriya
Sigiriya (5th C AD)
Sigiriya (5th C AD)
Water gardens, Sigiriya
Water gardens, Sigiriya
Water gardens, Sigiriya
Water gardens, Sigiriya
Sigiriya
Sigiriya
Old walkway, Sigiriya
Old walkway, Sigiriya
Lion's feet, Sigiriya
Lion's feet, Sigiriya
View from Sigiriya
View from Sigiriya
Sigiriya
Sigiriya
Sigiriya
Sigiriya
Spiral staircase to frescoes, Sigiriya
Spiral staircase to frescoes, Sigiriya
Fresco, Sigiriya (photographed in 1982)
Fresco, Sigiriya (photographed in 1982)
Fresco, Sigiriya (photographed in 1982)
Fresco, Sigiriya (photographed in 1982)
Fresco, Sigiriya (photographed in 1982)
Fresco, Sigiriya (photographed in 1982)
Cave temple, Sigiriya
Cave temple, Sigiriya
Lady winnowing rice, Sigiriya
Lady winnowing rice, Sigiriya
Lady demonstrating cooking, Sigiriya
Lady demonstrating cooking, Sigiriya
Lady weaving palm leaves, Sigiriya
Lady weaving palm leaves, Sigiriya
Buddha statue, Giritale
Buddha statue, Giritale
Stupa, Giritale
Stupa, Giritale
Royal Palace, Polonnaruwa (12th C AD)
Royal Palace, Polonnaruwa (12th C AD)
Royal Palace, Polonnaruwa
Royal Palace, Polonnaruwa
Royal Palace, Polonnaruwa
Royal Palace, Polonnaruwa
Royal Palace, Polonnaruwa
Royal Palace, Polonnaruwa
Quadrangle Area, Polonnaruwa
Quadrangle Area, Polonnaruwa
Quadrangle Area, Polonnaruwa (11th C AD)
Quadrangle Area, Polonnaruwa (11th C AD)
Quadrangle Area, Polonnaruwa
Quadrangle Area, Polonnaruwa
Quadrangle Area, Polonnaruwa
Quadrangle Area, Polonnaruwa
Quadrangle Area, Polonnaruwa
Quadrangle Area, Polonnaruwa
Quadrangle Area, Polonnaruwa
Quadrangle Area, Polonnaruwa
Quadrangle Area, Polonnaruwa
Quadrangle Area, Polonnaruwa
Quadrangle Area, Polonnaruwa
Quadrangle Area, Polonnaruwa
Quadrangle Area, Polonnaruwa
Quadrangle Area, Polonnaruwa
Quadrangle Area, Polonnaruwa
Quadrangle Area, Polonnaruwa
Vishnu Devale, Polonnaruwa
Vishnu Devale, Polonnaruwa
Vishnu Devale, Polonnaruwa
Vishnu Devale, Polonnaruwa
Menik Vihara, Polonnaruwa
Menik Vihara, Polonnaruwa
Rankot Vihara, Polonnaruwa
Rankot Vihara, Polonnaruwa
Rankot Vihara, Polonnaruwa
Rankot Vihara, Polonnaruwa
Rankot Vihara, Polonnaruwa
Rankot Vihara, Polonnaruwa
Rankot Vihara, Polonnaruwa
Rankot Vihara, Polonnaruwa
Lankatilaka, Polonnaruwa
Lankatilaka, Polonnaruwa
Lankatilaka, Polonnaruwa
Lankatilaka, Polonnaruwa
Lankatilaka, Polonnaruwa
Lankatilaka, Polonnaruwa
Lankatilaka, Polonnaruwa
Lankatilaka, Polonnaruwa
Lankatilaka, Polonnaruwa
Lankatilaka, Polonnaruwa
Lankatilaka, Polonnaruwa
Lankatilaka, Polonnaruwa
Lankatilaka, Polonnaruwa
Lankatilaka, Polonnaruwa
Uththararamaya, Polonnaruwa
Uththararamaya, Polonnaruwa
Uththararamaya, Polonnaruwa
Uththararamaya, Polonnaruwa
Uththararamaya, Polonnaruwa
Uththararamaya, Polonnaruwa
Uththararamaya, Polonnaruwa
Uththararamaya, Polonnaruwa
Tivanka Image House, Polonnaruwa
Tivanka Image House, Polonnaruwa
Tivanka Image House, Polonnaruwa
Tivanka Image House, Polonnaruwa
Tivanka Image House, Polonnaruwa
Tivanka Image House, Polonnaruwa
Tivanka Image House, Polonnaruwa
Tivanka Image House, Polonnaruwa
Hurulu Eco Park
Hurulu Eco Park
Elephant watchers, Hurulu Eco Park
Elephant watchers, Hurulu Eco Park
Hurulu Eco Park
Hurulu Eco Park
Hurulu Eco Park
Hurulu Eco Park
Hurulu Eco Park
Hurulu Eco Park
Golden Temple, Dambulla
Golden Temple, Dambulla
Golden Temple, Dambulla
Golden Temple, Dambulla
Golden Temple, Dambulla
Golden Temple, Dambulla
Golden Temple, Dambulla
Golden Temple, Dambulla
Flower seller, Cave Temple, Dambulla
Flower seller, Cave Temple, Dambulla
Cave Temple, Dambulla (dating from 1st C BC)
Cave Temple, Dambulla (dating from 1st C BC)
Cave Temple, Dambulla
Cave Temple, Dambulla
Cave Temple, Dambulla
Cave Temple, Dambulla
Cave Temple, Dambulla
Cave Temple, Dambulla
Cave Temple, Dambula
Cave Temple, Dambula
Cave Temple, Dambulla
Cave Temple, Dambulla
Cave Temple, Dambulla
Cave Temple, Dambulla
Cave Temple, Dambulla
Cave Temple, Dambulla
Nalanda Gedige (dating from 8th C AD)
Nalanda Gedige (dating from 8th C AD)
Nalanda Gedige
Nalanda Gedige
Nalanda Gedige
Nalanda Gedige
Nalanda Gedige
Nalanda Gedige
Aluviharaya Cave Temple
Aluviharaya Cave Temple
Cave Temple, Aluvihara
Cave Temple, Aluvihara
Cave Temple, Aluvihara
Cave Temple, Aluvihara
Cave Temple, Aluvihara
Cave Temple, Aluvihara
Cave Temple, Aluvihara
Cave Temple, Aluvihara
Cave Temple, Aluvihara
Cave Temple, Aluvihara
Cave Temple, Aluvihara
Cave Temple, Aluvihara
Carrying firewood, Narampanawa, Digana
Carrying firewood, Narampanawa, Digana
Carrying firewood, Narampanawa, Digana
Carrying firewood, Narampanawa, Digana
Small house, Narampanawa, Digana
Small house, Narampanawa, Digana
Small house, Narampanawa, Digana
Small house, Narampanawa, Digana
Communal shower, Narampanawa, Digana
Communal shower, Narampanawa, Digana
Hindu temple, Narampanawa, Digana
Hindu temple, Narampanawa, Digana
View over padi fields, Narampanawa, Digana
View over padi fields, Narampanawa, Digana
River, Narampanawa, Digana
River, Narampanawa, Digana
Durian and rambutan stall, Narampanawa, Digana
Durian and rambutan stall, Narampanawa, Digana
Preparing our durian, near Kandy
Preparing our durian, near Kandy
Ramboda, en route to Ella
Ramboda, en route to Ella
Ramboda, en route to Ella
Ramboda, en route to Ella
Ramboda Falls, en route to Ella
Ramboda Falls, en route to Ella
Train ride to Ella
Train ride to Ella
Train ride to Ella
Train ride to Ella
View from train ride to Ella
View from train ride to Ella
Kita Ella Falls, Ella
Kita Ella Falls, Ella
Ella Gap, Ella
Ella Gap, Ella
Little Adam's Peak, Ella
Little Adam's Peak, Ella
Cow on the tracks, Ella
Cow on the tracks, Ella
Hike to Nine Arches Bridge, Ella
Hike to Nine Arches Bridge, Ella
Three Arches Bridge, Ella
Three Arches Bridge, Ella
Tunnel, Ella
Tunnel, Ella
Nine Arches Bridge, Ella
Nine Arches Bridge, Ella
Nine Arches Bridge, Ella
Nine Arches Bridge, Ella
Tea pickers, en route to Sinharaja
Tea pickers, en route to Sinharaja
Tea pickers, en route to Sinharaja
Tea pickers, en route to Sinharaja
Tea picker, en route to Sinharaja
Tea picker, en route to Sinharaja
Tea pickers, en route to Sinharaja
Tea pickers, en route to Sinharaja
Tea picker, en route to Sinharaja
Tea picker, en route to Sinharaja
Tea plantation, en route to Sinharaja
Tea plantation, en route to Sinharaja
Hindu temple, en route to Sinharaja
Hindu temple, en route to Sinharaja
Sinharaja National Park
Sinharaja National Park
Tree fern, Sinharaja National Park
Tree fern, Sinharaja National Park
Large tree, Sinharaja National Park
Large tree, Sinharaja National Park
Sinharaja National Park
Sinharaja National Park
Sinharaja National Park
Sinharaja National Park
Sinharaja National Park
Sinharaja National Park
Ashok Leyland bus, Mirissa
Ashok Leyland bus, Mirissa
Tuk tuk bread van, Mirissa
Tuk tuk bread van, Mirissa
Fishing boats, Mirissa
Fishing boats, Mirissa
Fishing boats, Mirissa
Fishing boats, Mirissa
Fishing boats, Mirissa
Fishing boats, Mirissa
Fresh fish, Mirissa
Fresh fish, Mirissa
Colombo
Colombo
Gangarama Sima Malaka Temple, Colombo
Gangarama Sima Malaka Temple, Colombo
Gangarama Sima Malaka Temple, Colombo
Gangarama Sima Malaka Temple, Colombo
Gangarama Sima Malaka Temple, Colombo
Gangarama Sima Malaka Temple, Colombo
Gangarama Sima Malaka Temple, Colombo
Gangarama Sima Malaka Temple, Colombo
Gangarama Sima Malaka Temple, Colombo
Gangarama Sima Malaka Temple, Colombo
Colombo
Colombo
Elephant sculpture, Colombo
Elephant sculpture, Colombo
Old steam roller, Colombo
Old steam roller, Colombo
Gangaramaya Temple, Colombo
Gangaramaya Temple, Colombo
Gangaramaya Temple, Colombo
Gangaramaya Temple, Colombo
Gangaramaya Temple, Colombo
Gangaramaya Temple, Colombo
Gangaramaya Temple, Colombo
Gangaramaya Temple, Colombo
Gangaramaya Temple, Colombo
Gangaramaya Temple, Colombo
Gangaramaya Temple, Colombo
Gangaramaya Temple, Colombo
Gangaramaya Temple, Colombo
Gangaramaya Temple, Colombo
Gangaramaya Temple, Colombo
Gangaramaya Temple, Colombo
Gangaramaya Temple, Colombo
Gangaramaya Temple, Colombo
Gangaramaya Temple, Colombo
Gangaramaya Temple, Colombo
Gangaramaya Temple, Colombo
Gangaramaya Temple, Colombo
Large tree, Colombo
Large tree, Colombo
Small temple, Colombo
Small temple, Colombo
Small temple, Colombo
Small temple, Colombo

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