Wednesday, October 08, 2003
Day 3 in Sri Lanka, Pinnewala and Dambulla
Our day started at 6 am. Our driver arrived at 6:30 am to pick us up. We had to leave early to get to the elephant orphanage at Pinnewala by 9:15 for the feeding. We made it just in time. The Lonely Planet (LP) said it is the most elephants you will see in one place in the country. I counted about 54. First we watched the elphants feed milk formula in a pen. Next we proceeded along behind the heard as they headed towards the river to bathe. Some had chains around their necks and legs, I guess to prevent them kicking or running. Lou go to touch a baby elephant, she thought it was very cute.
Later we went to Dambulla. The ancient kings of Sri Lanka would hide in the caves on the hill when their cities were taken. Later the caves were decorated with Buddah statues to commemorate the kings. There are 5 caves 3 of which were filled with statues 2100 years old. The ceilings were painted with more buddahs 700 years ago. The statues were made from a range of different materials, some teak wood, some bricks and plaster but the earliest was carved from the granite wall. The works are surprisingly well preserved considering their age. Some statues had fluorescent lights directed on their lower half and you could see the paint had faded a lot more.
Our tour guide seems to be nice so hopefully the next 6 days will go well.
Our day started at 6 am. Our driver arrived at 6:30 am to pick us up. We had to leave early to get to the elephant orphanage at Pinnewala by 9:15 for the feeding. We made it just in time. The Lonely Planet (LP) said it is the most elephants you will see in one place in the country. I counted about 54. First we watched the elphants feed milk formula in a pen. Next we proceeded along behind the heard as they headed towards the river to bathe. Some had chains around their necks and legs, I guess to prevent them kicking or running. Lou go to touch a baby elephant, she thought it was very cute.
Later we went to Dambulla. The ancient kings of Sri Lanka would hide in the caves on the hill when their cities were taken. Later the caves were decorated with Buddah statues to commemorate the kings. There are 5 caves 3 of which were filled with statues 2100 years old. The ceilings were painted with more buddahs 700 years ago. The statues were made from a range of different materials, some teak wood, some bricks and plaster but the earliest was carved from the granite wall. The works are surprisingly well preserved considering their age. Some statues had fluorescent lights directed on their lower half and you could see the paint had faded a lot more.
Our tour guide seems to be nice so hopefully the next 6 days will go well.
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