Our 2nd and 3rd days were spent touring several temples and driving up into mountain territory, where tea is born.  I wish I took the time to write when we were there, so that I could better capture the magic of this place.  I liked being in a predominantly Buddhist country.  Animals, for the most part, roam freely.  Whiz through a windy mountain road, and whoop there’s cattle grazing off the side, or dogs napping partially on the road, and, yet, no roadkill.  I don’t know how they do it, but I like it.  It’s really a miracle these animals survive because the driving here makes the UAE look incredibly tame; it’s amazing the people survive too. I don’t think we witnessed a single car accident, which must be because of divine intervention.  Two-lane roads easily can fit 4, maybe 5, rows of traffic — tuk tuks, busses, motorcycles and all other vehicles meshed in together.

Luckily, we had a great driver, so we could kick back, relax, and enjoy the scenery.  The landscape is so incredibly green and lush.  So many colors in the temples, and so many colors in the towns and countryside.  I will never forgot how incredibly beautiful the drives were.

I’m back at work now, so my brain is dead and won’t adequately describe all that we saw and did, but my pictures might help some.  Forgive me, but I’m just blasting you with some unedited phone photos and an occasional caption.  I HAVE to go back to do this country more justice.

these last 4 temple shots were taken from the cave temple, which was really amazing. It was also suffocatingly hot, but worth every sweat bead.  Here’s a link to better pics (on google).  cave temple sri lanka

Yes there’s a man rubbing stuff on us.  It was really awkward, but we learned a lot about where so many of our spices come from.  FYI:  back up when your spice guide is pointing tumeric at you — because he’s gonna rub that shit on your nose.

These colorful photos come from a temple in a small town.  I wish I could tell you it’s name.  big-bellied bitches rule!

Some street shots for you.  It’s cooler watching all of this in real life, but here you go… tuk tuk

This next batch of photos are from Kandy.  There’s a beautiful lake and the famous tooth relic temple.  We also watched a cultural show, which ended with men walking on hot coals.

And now I’m giving you a quick glimpse of mountain life.  There are rows and rows and rows of tea here, and the women pick the tea even when it’s raining.

 And that’s all that I have for you tonight.  Next up is all about the beaches and animals…