Sri Lankan Sights

March 24  Colombo, Sri Lanka



Elephant greeting

Today we awoke to news from Dad that an elephant was on the pier waiting to great us.  We hurriedly finish dressing and headed down to get a photo.  The Mahut literally shoved “C” under the elephants trunk for the photo.  Amazingly, “C” just complied.  While we were on the dock, the musicians and dancers arrived so we were able to get some great shots of them as well.  

Sri Lankan dancer

drummers welcome us

After breakfast, we headed off on our tour.  One of the other tours was going golfing and I asked if the ships’ escort could possibly get a souvenir golf ball for me.  Unfortunately we found out that afternoon that they didn’t actually sell any golf balls with a logo at the Colombo Golf Club- the escort was looking to obtain one for himself as well.  So no new ball to add to our collection.



Tuk Tuk traffic jam

Our tour took us to a Buddhist temple about 30 min from the ship.  Our drive there took us past lots of neighborhood shops and even a fish market.  We saw all sorts of neighborhoods most appearing to be middle to upper class.  They have new highways connecting them to the northern parts of Sri Lanka and one that shortened the time to the airport significantly.  I got the impression much of this development came after the tsunami hit and they made good use of the international aid to develop their country.  There are a large number of high rises and our guide explained there are many condos being built as well.

transport Sri Lankan style



fish market along our route

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We were told a bit about Buddhism and  temples by our guide.  He explained they  have a mixed culture of Buddhist, Hindus (Indian influence), Muslims and a small percent of Christians left  from the colonial days.  He said they all get along and their recent conflict in the country was due to the terrorist behaviors not over religion.  That has been resolved as the terrorist groups have been removed from the nation. 



Buddha as depicted during his suffering to reach elightenment

Temple and Relic location (white building)

Our guide explained that Buddha was a prince before he became enlightened and transformed into Buddha.  He also explained that they believe in reincarnation, if you do well in this life you will come back as another human, if not as another living creature.  If I understood correctly, he said that being a worldly being comes with suffering, if you reach enlightenment, you are no longer reincarnated, you will no longer suffer and this is reaching Nirvana.   

 

 

 

 

We learned Buddhist temples must have 4 things:  a residence for the monks, a Bho tree, a place for holding their art and treasures and a prayer space.  This particular temple is said to have had Buddha himself visit.  The Bho tree here is 2000 years old.  The temple was busy that day with worshippers because we were nearing a full moon, a public holiday in Sri Lanka.  The worshippers light an incense stick for their prayers and they also offer fruit and flowers as an offering.  The guide explained the flowers must be fragrant.  We had to remove our shoes and hats to enter the temple. 

 

flowers for offering

incencse for prayers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We were allowed to photograph whatever we chose.  It was a bit awkward photographing the worshippers.  We also saw much of the art work depicted there, the guide explained there was an artwork depicting a scene related to a tsunami in the past.  The king spurned Buddha and then a tsunami came.  The king then offered his daughter as a sacrifice to the ocean, but she was rescued by a prince and married him. There was a whole wall showing this story. 

 

paintings telling stories

 



children at religious studies

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Buddha we saw was our first view of a reclining Buddha.  It was also gold- a first as well.  We saw several monks in their orange robes and one took a photo with “C”.  There were lots of children there doing their religious studies.  They enjoyed seeing “C” and waved to all of our tour. 

reclining Buddha



relief on outside of temple

decoration inside Temple

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



monk who blessed "C"

When we were leaving the temple “C” went over to an elderly monk to say thank you.  When he bowed his head, the monk indicated he should continue to bow his head.  The monk gave him a blessing.  The guide didn’t hear but he surmised that it was a blessing for growth and knowledge. 

 

 

He also explained this is why there were sculptures of Ghanesh on the outside of the temple as well- he is the god of knowledge and wisdom.  He explained there are Hindu gods used as decorations on many Buddhist temples and it is not so unusual since Buddha was a Hindu before becoming Buddha.  The guide also explained that the influence of India and the Hindu faith is very present in Sri Lanka due to its proximity to India.

 

All in all this was a fascinating tour and was just the right amount of time given the heat.  We were back at the ship by 10:30.  We did a bit of shopping and then had a relaxing afternoon onboard.   “C” and I worked on some Ninjago legos by the pool and went to some onboard activities trying to earn grand dollars-  you turn them in for Holland America gifts at the end of the cruise. 

Next stop the Seychelles, in the heart of the pirate world.  While we were in port, they attached razor wire around the entire ship at the promenade level.  We then had a drill the next day to go over what to do if they believed an attempt at boarding was being made. “C” had some ideas as to what to do to thwart them, attach forks and knives to all the walkers and scooters and send them first.  “Like the horses in the old days”.  He also speculated a drilling sound he heard was actually someone cutting an escape hatch in their cabin ceiling.  He really isn’t phased by it and I try not to be.  Best to keep logic prevailing. 

prepping for Indian Ocean