Monday, 23.09.2019

Even on the last day of our tour, before the well-deserved relaxation at the beach hotel on the east coast, we started early again. Breakfast at 06:15 am. Like in all previous hotels, Indika organized local food for us for both breakfast and dinner. We would like to give him a big compliment and thank you for this. Overall, our tour guide was always very dedicated to teaching us about life, culture, and religion in Sri Lanka. He took care of our well-being and safety together with our bus driver Rukman, and gladly fulfilled our wishes (local fruits from farmers along the way, water and snacks on the bus, temple socks, additional activities such as a wedding and elephant safari). Indika and our bus driver were always attentive, friendly, helpful, patient with us, and always up for some fun. We would like to express our sincere thanks for that as well.

The journey to the east coast first took us to the Sigiriya Rock. At halfway up, we could admire the impressive frescoes of the Cloud Maidens. Long, long ago, the entire rock was apparently painted with these pictures. It's hard to believe how people could create such works of art on a vertical cliff at this height. One of the Cloud Maidens even turned her head to the right as we passed by. Impressive and fascinating at the same time.

Once we reached the summit, a plateau, after catching our breath, we were treated to a fantastic view of the surrounding landscape. There used to be a royal palace up here with a water tank, throne, dance hall, harem bath, and more. The floor plans are still visible and very well-preserved, as are some walls and brick stairs.

Our final stop was Polonnaruwa. The royal palace once had more than 1000 rooms. The archaeological park is a huge excavation site with temples, pagodas, cave dwellings, and Buddha statues from several centuries.

The farewell from the tour guide and bus driver at the Amaya Beach Hotel in Passikudah was very heartfelt. We were all sad that our paths were supposed to separate here. We have found 2 true friends in a foreign country with a foreign culture on this trip.

We will spend the next few days here at this beautiful 5-star beach hotel, recovering from this wonderful tour of Sri Lanka and fondly remembering the various episodes. Before returning to the west coast and making a stopover at a hotel in Negombo to go back to Colombo airport for our journey home.

Thank you very much for the great time so far.