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We had a fab buffet breakfast. The monkeys kept on stealing the bread rolls. We went in Elephant ride and I got to go on the neck. When dad went on the neck he was very nervous which made me laugh as this is my dad we are talking about. He is usually brave but he was nervous going in a trained elephants neck? Something mustn't be right there. On the ride, we saw lots of monkeys, a humongous lizard and a mongoose. It was quite an adventure. When we came back we fed the fish, relaxed and then took a taxi to Dambulla. In Dambulla we saw the temple caves with beautiful, massive Buddhas carved out of the rock of the cave. It was stunning. The roof if the cave was divine. It was a bit of a climb up to the caves but all was worthwhile once we met the monks. I have always thought that you don't speak to monks. This group of young men changed my mind. They were delightful! It was really nice talking to them. I felt honoured. They were from all different places; Bangladesh, China, Bhutan etc. They were all studying in Kandy, our next destination. From the caves, we went to Kandy but on the way we stopped at a spice garden. They showed us all these different plants and what the plants made. They tested some different stuff on us. They put Aloe Vera on my sunburn, turmeric cream on dads hairy leg (its kinda like wax but a cream they wipe it off with no pain at all and no hair left behind). It was amazing stuff! Mum and Dad then got a head, back and leg massage that was quite painful and made them stink of yucky herbal stuff. Delightful!! They tried to sell us some lotions & potions but at $60 per bottle Mom & Dad thought we may be able to live without it! Back in the car for another hour and a half to Kandy - only 30K but really slow! Paid driver $50US for the trip from Sigiriya to Kandy.
Arrived in Kandy around 5.30pm. Checked out a few basic guesthouses but ended up deciding to stay at the Queens Hotel right next to the Temple of the Tooth. Not the best room for the price ($142US per night cos of the 20 20 Cricket in town), but great location and has a pool! While at reception checking in, suddenly heard a woman shouting "I know those people" while pointing to us as she came down the beautiful large staircase with 3 other people!! It was Bridget & Ramesh with their friends!!!!!! They live a few K's from us in Melbourne, next door to some other friends of ours! Although we new they were coming to Sri Lanka we didn't know exactly when and where they would be, or whether our paths would cross. Boy did they cross!! It's such a small world! Coincidence or what!!?
We had a lovely dinner with them all and took a few photos outside the beautiful old Queens Hotel before heading for bed. Still amazed we managed to be in the same hotel, on the same day (they arrived that morning) in the foyer at the same time! Oh, and our rooms are on the same floor too!
Having a day off tomorrow. Sleep til we wake, maybe a swim in the pool and a visit to the Temple of the Tooth. The men of our group have wheedled their way into the chefs kitchen tomorrow at 10am to watch him cook some Sri Lankan food! Us girls will leave them too it. Perhaps some shopping for us?
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