Well I didn’t sleep well last night. I woke up in the middle of the night and a tiny spider critter was crawling on me. I wasn’t sure how poisonous things are here so I caved it’s head in. I don’t dislike spiders and never kill them but if it’s me or them I’m afraid I win.
Then I could hear a low humming all night. At first I thought it was a bee but I couldn’t hear it bumping into things. Then I thought it was a Buddhist chant or someone singing. I realised after about an hour someone had just left their tv on in a room next to me.
The oils from the massage yesterday were supposed to promote sleep. Well that didn’t work but let me tell you, my skin? Smooth as a babies bum.
We got to Dambulla. The cave temples. I was expecting a really long uphill climb but it actually only took about 15 mins and although it was hot (it was cooler in the fire coffin) it wasn’t that difficult.
Unfortunately I was also expecting something spectacular at the top. Don’t get me wrong, it’s impressive that they carved things into the rock but the pictures online make the temples look huge when they were not.
Got back to the car and Nala was shocked how quick I was. I showed him a picture of two years ago at the top of Kilimanjaro. He said I’ve eaten too much for two years.
He bought a throw cushion from a road side vendor. It was decent and it was 100 rupees. That’s 43p. He asked if I wanted to book in for another massage in Kandy. I politely declined. Got Roy from work a postcard. He loves a good postcard. He’s got a wall full of them in his office. It was 300 rupees for 10 so some of you lucky people may be the recipient of a bonafide Dambulla postcard!
Visited a spice garden. AKA another tourist trap. However, the stuff was pretty good so got some gifts for mine and Adams families. I misheard the price and thought he had said 80000 rupees. That’s £340. Thankfully it was a zero less. The guy showed me a spice that treats diabetes. Funny I don’t recall seeing many elderly people here. The only thing the doctors here can tell by their pulse is that they are dead!
I’ve seen a lot of this too…
Nala said it’s something to do with religion and they throw the birds and release them if a prayer is granted. I hope to god they don’t launch those bunnies too.
We saw an elephant on a truck. Nala said he was being moved. I assumed he had wandered out of a national park. I assumed wrong. He was a domestic elephant being used for tourism. Poor guy. And he was definitely a guy!
Visited a very impressive Hindu temple whilst an offering ceremony was taking place. It was very loud.
I found out Nala earns per day what I earn in 10 minutes. Obviously I did not tell him that. I was shocked to find even the highest paid people in the country are still paid around the same as the UK’s unskilled workforce. Unbelievable. But then when you can buy a cushion for 43p you could probably refurbish your house for about £100.
Got taken to the gem museum. Was nice to see everything but then off course it’s exit through the gift shop. Except this time everything was at least £100. No way I’m being guilted into that. Though he did seem very sad. I told him I don’t wear jewellery and left sharpish.
I keep getting pinned by the seatbelt. I have no idea what I’m doing wrong but I literally have this problem in every country outside of the UK it’s like once it’s strapped it clicks and then I cannot move at all. Not very comfy. Please leave advice in the comments.
New hotel is very regal. And the rooms are huge with a decent view.
However there seems to be a level of threat…
Went to a cultural dance show. I wasn’t ready for it. Some impressive stuff like the flips but their timing was off a lot and, if I’m honest, some of it was nuts.
At the end the cast asked if they could take a pic with me (for a donation of course). Whilst posing a guy comes over to ask about his instrument (musical you filthy lot). He didn’t realise the camera was pointing but when it was pointed out to him he actually turned to the camera and flashed a smile. So yeah I have a photo with this bloke out of the crowd now. Best part of the night.
Couldn’t be bothered with the restaurant again so went to Dominos. A couple of observations…
I think you’ll find pizza addiction is harmful. And….
While quite nice sounding, is the worst way my name has ever been spelled. Also, that’s the equivalent of a fiver. Not bad!
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