Arrived at Negombo hotel at 2:00 am and flaked. Woke at 6, opened blinds to view of beach in front of hotel. Quick walk on beach then breakfast. Hoppers and fish curry for DH - “when in Rome”. Meet tour group - 9 people plus guide and driver. Head off for Anuradhapura- original capital. Long drive with lots of interesting viewing. On way stop at roadside stall and sample “king” coconut (orange colour) - milk and flesh, reputed to be laxative. Drive on to Wilpattu national park. Lunch at Lepoard Den restaurant. Buffet style curries and rice. Arrive park and board 6 person jeeps for safari. 4 hour drive through the park, spotting deer, buffalo, wild boar, crocodiles, jackal, fleeting glimpse of mother sloth bear and cub bolting into bush, various bird life including eagles, but no leopards. Interesting finish to safari when driver got lost and missed 6 pm time when must be out of park. Got 2 week suspension from park, despite our fibs trying to cover for him. Back to hotel. Huge new hotel built in Italian style. Massive area with bungalow style rooms. See www.palmgardenvillage.com.
Dinner much same as lunch but not as good. Pouring rain tonight.
Sunday. Judy unwell with diarrhoea and headache. After breakfast change of plan due to rain. Swap activities between today and tomorrow. Tour Anuradhapura which was birthplace of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. Lots of ancient sites & ruins of original Buddhist settlement as well as start of building new massive stupa. Drive to Sigiriya and lunch at hotel next to where we will stay night. Buffet of curries and rice etc. Then drive to Polonnaruwa, 2nd site of Buddhist settlement and location of ruling kings for extended period. Site of massive monastery with many ruins of temple sans stupas. Back to sigiriya to hotel and dinner. Indian night with 3 piece group playing Indian instruments and buffet of curries and rice (surprise). Finally get some wifi access.
Oh no hope you’re feeling better Mum , sounds interesting few days
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