Sri Lanka: Negombo & Anuradhapura!

 First stop, Negombo.

A lovely little seaside town to start our sojourn. We were accommodated in the Rani beach resort, strolled along the beach, enjoyed cocktails by the pool and just relaxed before the tour began. Dinner was on the beach with the promise of a fire show. Yipee! Much to our amusement, the fire show turned our to be nothing but a bon fire. Ha ha

Blood red was the sun as it cascaded across Negombo fish market, spot lighting  the creatures spewed from the depths of the ocean.  The ground turned crimson to match the awakening sun as fish innards splattered like a monsoonal storm and scales become adrift, falling like dandruff.  Crows feasted on the waste scattered by the cacophony of fisherman who bantered and shared tales of conquests, whilst dogs salivated and guarded this carnage. This market is a vegan’s worst nightmare.  The obnoxious odour burns into pores and penetrates the senses; the sounds of auctioneers screaming mixes with machetes cutting and gorging through flesh causing a tsunami of goosebumps.  A must-see incubus!

Tuk tuk negotiations took us to the esplanade where fisherman mending nets and boats await the call of the sea.  The dry fish market sweeps across the sun-baked foreshore. The men gut and scale the catch of the day whilst the women tend to the drying process, rotating, stacking and sorting of the mummified fish. 

Onward to Anuradhapura World Heritage site.

We donned our bicycle helmets (decided against the lycra accompaniment) and hit the bitumen in the sacred city of Anuradhapura.  This city froths around Buddha and the Bodhi sapling that was transported here in the 3rd century by Sanghamitta. 

We explored ancient ruins that spilt forth huge bell shaped Stupas, ponds and palaces. We felt the second of Buddha’s Noble Truths (we are born to suffer), as we walked on stoneware that resembles the hot coals of fire walkers. With piston liked legs, we pummelled our way towards Ruwanwelisay and Mirisawetiya Stupas, built like all good monuments to celebrate the blood shed of victory at war by King Dutugamunu between 140 – 160 BC and which hold relics associated with Buddha.

Our legs became torpid, as the sun began to bleed dry, we came to a halt in front of what was once the largest Stupa in the world at 122m high and the 3rd largest structure in the ancient world – Jetauanaramaya.  Entombed inside the Stupa is a sash once tied by Buddah).  Finally, we sat and watched the sunset dance across Thissa Wewa reservoir as local families wash and skylark in its water.   

 Bohoma sthuthi for this amazing start to our adventure.