An amazing couple of days of visiting temples, climbing many stairs, admiring views and marvelling at stupas and statues from well before the birth of Christ.
A sapling planted 2300 years ago, taken from the tree under which the Buddha received Enlightenment; the beautiful offerings made at the tree, fresh flowers allowed to dry over the day to show the impermanence of life.
At the same complex, an amazing stupa with elephant sentries. We had to be shoeless, the stone floors were painfully hot so very grateful the tourists are allowed to wear socks ! I have no idea how the Sri Lankans could go barefoot.
There was another old, ruined stupa, it was an amazing complex showing so much history of Sri Lankan Buddhism.
A walk up to a hilltop area and temple. We saw sunset from here, watching the colours change on the two stupa.
That pool was so necessary after humid hot weather and walking, bliss to have a decent swim.
The big trip; Sigiriya and over 1000 steps to reach the top. That was always one of the highlights of all the reading we’d done about Sri Lanka, and well, yes. It’s a tough hike up but the view from the top and the 1600 year old ruins are just stunning. It’s very un-touristed up the top, no cafe at the half way stop, not many signposts or info panels at the sights; however a small army repairing walls and tourist guides to advise and help the odd wobbly unfit tourist.
I’ll let the photos tell their story.
And last but not least, Buddhas in caves with amazing colours. So much dedication to detail and effort to maintain these beautiful statues and images, for nearly 2000 years.
For those following my MS journey, the walks went really well. I had no energy or strength issues and my right leg didn’t have any issues even in really humid heat. One day, after walking a lot on bare feet as it was a(nother) temple, the toes on my right foot lost grip and control until I stopped, massaged them and moved them a bit. That’s much better than even a year ago, where the right leg drag and hip swing would likely have started.
My Longest Journey 