Sri Lanka - Part VI

Day 06: Mirissa, Balapitiya, Bentota

Our 6th day's mission was to go for a special sea-trip at Mirissa. What is so special? Mirissa is famous for blue whales (balaenoptera musculus) - one of the rarest mammals living on earth and they are the largest animal on earth. We wanted to have a look on them. We booked our trip with Mirissa Water Sports.

If you have any desire for the same activity, then take my words - go with Mirissa Water Sports, their crews are really good and they exactly know what they are doing. 

We started early in the morning at 6.30 am, we left our hotel (from Yala) around 4.00 am. We were not so lucky in that morning, the weather was bad - really really bad. The sea was horribly rough. We went almost 12 nautical miles deep inside the sea but the blue whales were not in a mood to come out. The point from where we retreated, we were able to see the storm cloud formation from the sea. It was raining badly with strong wind.. The turbulence made all of us (we were in a group along with other nationals, about 20 people in a boat) uneasy. The crews helped us at their best.

Obviously I did not dare to take out my camera (my little D5100 is not weather sealed, even weather sealed cameras are not advised to take out in such salty sea waters), salty sea waters splashing on all of us - we all were wet. 

Only one good thing happened to us in that trip, we have seen hundreds of dolphins (various types, I do not remember now) throughout the trip. They made us smile. It was first time for me watching dolphins in open nature and that too in hundreds (or even more).

We returned safely to Mirissa coast at around 11.00 am. Thanks to dear God. In future I would like to visit  Sri Lanka atleast once - Yala and Mirissa will be the destinations.

After gasping our breath properly we made us dry and started our forward journey towards Bentota. On the way to Bentota, we passed by Peraliya village near Balapitiya. By the time we reached there, the sky was clear we were bit upset on this play of nature. There we saw tsunami memorial, that whole village was completely destroyed on 26-December-2004 due to tsunami.

The Tsunami Honganji Vihara

Tsunami (26-December-2004) memorial made by Sri Lanka Government, Japan Government and Sri Lanka Buddhist community, at Peraliya village near Balapitiya.

The Tsunami Honganji Vihara

The Bamian Replica Buddha Statue that reminds the ancient Buddha at Bamiyan Valley that the Taliban destroyed in Afghanistan; made by Sri Lanka Government, Japan Government and Buddhist community, at Peraliya village near Balapitiya.

The Tsunami Honganji Vihara

Another Tsunami memorial at Peraliya village, near Balapitiya

We stopped at Balapitiya for lunch (as usual was superb), then continued our journey towards Bentota and reached there at around 4.00 pm. Our hotel at Bentota was really nice - a small and neat hotel adjacent to sea shore. I rushed to take a shower and then hurried to the sea beach with my gears to capture sunset. Nature did not disappointed me this time.

Setting Sun at Bentota

Sunset at Bentota

Sunset at Bentota

I liked all the above images and could not make the series smaller, would like to hear from you to shorten them. The setup was perfect for a time lapse session but I could not make it - my bad. Anyways I was happy.

Day 07: Departure from Colombo

Finally we reached to the end of our Sri Lanka tour and we were not happy. The time flew like seconds. Within few hours we will be subjected to our daily routine life.

We left Bentota after having a good breakfast, destination Colombo. We quickly had a look on Colombo but did not stopped anywhere but for some shopping and lunch.

Finally the time came, our humble guide Roshen dropped us at Bandaranaike International Airport, Colombo. We bid each other good bye and made wishes to meet again. 

One good thing happened to us on our returned journey, our ticket was upgraded to Business class - that was really a relief and a sweet conclusion of out tour.

Buddha statue at Bandaranaike International Airport, Colombo

Good bye Sri Lanka, see you again.

See high resolution images of my Sri Lanka trip here in flickr.

See other parts of my Sri Lanka trip:

Sri Lanka - Part I

Sri Lanka - Part II

Sri Lanka - Part III
Sri Lanka - Part IV
Sri Lanka - Part V

Please feel free to comment. All comments (criticisms & appraisals) are welcome. Please do not reproduce the images for commercial purposes without prior permission.
© Arunangshu NathSarkar | V-I-B-G-Y-O-R | flickr | 500px | Instagram.

Sri Lanka - Part V

Day 05: Yala National park

Our 5th day was the best day of our trip, we visited Yala National park. Truly enjoyed every bit of it.

Peacock, Yala National park

Pelican and other water birds, Yala National park

Pelican and other water birds, Yala National park

Pelican and other water birds, Yala National park

Peacock, Yala National park

Spotted dears, Yala National park

Spotted dears, Yala National park

Spotted dears, Yala National park

Spotted dears, Yala National park

At Yala National park

Dancing peacock, Yala National park

That was the time when I was dreaming to have a 500mm lens with me, but I had good time!

Peacock, Yala National park

Sri Lankan Junglefowl, Yala National park

Owl, Yala National park

At Yala National park

Mongoose, Yala National park

Sri Lanka elephant, Yala National park

At Yala National park

Peacock, Yala National park

Leopard, Yala National park

Sight of the leopards made the visit successful, we were happy. Yala National park has one of the highest leopard densities in the world but we could sight only one.

See high resolution images of my Sri Lanka trip here in flickr.

See other parts of my Sri Lanka trip:

Sri Lanka - Part I

Sri Lanka - Part II

Sri Lanka - Part III
Sri Lanka - Part IV
Sri Lanka - Part VI

Please feel free to comment. All comments (criticisms & appraisals) are welcome. Please do not reproduce the images for commercial purposes without prior permission.
© Arunangshu NathSarkar | V-I-B-G-Y-O-R | flickr | 500px | Instagram.

Sri Lanka - Part IV

Day 04: Nuwara Eliya

On Day 04 we went to Nuwara Eliya, it is is a city, in the hill country of the Central Province, Sri Lanka. The city name meaning is "city on the plain (table land)" or "city of light". The city is the administrative capital of Nuwara Eliya District, with a picturesque landscape and temperate climate. It is located at an altitude of 1,868 m (6,128 ft) and is considered to be the most important location for Tea production in Sri Lanka. The city is overlooked by Pidurutalagala, the tallest mountain in Sri Lanka.

On our way to Nuwara Eliya

On our way to Nuwara Eliya

A waterfall in the surroundings of Nuwara Eliya

On our way to Nuwara Eliya

On our way to Nuwara Eliya

Cafeteria of Glenloch tea garden

At Glenloch tea garden

Nuwara Eliya lake

Sunset at Nuwara Eliya lake

See high resolution images of my Sri Lanka trip here in flickr.

See other parts of my Sri Lanka trip:

Sri Lanka - Part I

Sri Lanka - Part II

Sri Lanka - Part III
Sri Lanka - Part V
Sri Lanka - Part VI

Please feel free to comment. All comments (criticisms & appraisals) are welcome. Please do not reproduce the images for commercial purposes without prior permission.
© Arunangshu NathSarkar | V-I-B-G-Y-O-R | flickr | 500px | Instagram.

Sri Lanka - Part III

Day 03: The Temple of the Tooth, Kandy

Good morning

Day 03 morning we started from Sigiriya, destination Kandy. The day was rainy and we enjoyed our lunch in Kandy with the sounds of rainfall. In the afternoon we visited the Temple of the Tooth.

An old building near the parking area of the Temple of the Tooth, Kandy

Sri Dalada Maligawa or the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic is a Buddhist temple in the city of Kandy, Sri Lanka. It is located in the royal palace complex which houses the relic of the tooth of Buddha. Since ancient times, the relic has played an important role in local politics because it is believed that whoever holds the relic holds the governance of the country. Kandy was the last capital of the Sri Lankan kings. This temple is a UNESCO world heritage site.

Sri Dalada Maligawa or the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic

Princess Hemamali carried Gautama Buddha's tooth relic hidden in her hair to Sri Lanka. She was accompanied by her husband Prince Dantha.

Statue at Temple of the Tooth of Princess Hemamali and her husband Prince Dantha

Painting at Temple of the Tooth of Princess Hemamali and her husband Prince Dantha - Painting by Solias Mendis

Inside the Temple of the Tooth

Inside the Temple of the Tooth

Painting inside the Temple of the Tooth

Inside the Temple of the Tooth

Inside the Temple of the Tooth

Gautam Buddha statue inside the Temple of the Tooth

The first half of the day was spent on travelling and majority of the other half was occupied by refreshing rain. Though we are very much familiar with rain India but went there from rain abandoned country - UAE, so the rain was truly refreshing to us.

See high resolution images of my Sri Lanka trip here in flickr.

See other parts of my Sri Lanka trip:
Sri Lanka - Part I
Sri Lanka - Part II
Sri Lanka - Part IV
Sri Lanka - Part V
Sri Lanka - Part VI

Please feel free to comment. All comments (criticisms & appraisals) are welcome. Please do not reproduce the images for commercial purposes without prior permission.
© Arunangshu NathSarkar | V-I-B-G-Y-O-R | flickr | 500px | Instagram.

Sri Lanka - Part II

In Sri Lanka, there is nothing called 'Night Life' (may be it exists in Colombo, but the areas that we toured - there was none). After Lion rock exploration in Sigiriya and that ummilicious lunch, it was almost evening and we did absolutely nothing but having dinner and sleeping. 

Day 02: Polonnaruva - Medieval Capital City

2nd day early morning we started for Polonnaruva - Medieval capital city.

The glory of Anuradhapura was destroyed by the south Indian invaders compelling the Sinhala monarchs to establish the capital in a different location Pulatthinagara - modern Polonnaruva. The architectural features, sculptures, paintings and writings on stones have its own identity. Polannaruva type influenced not only by Buddhism but also by Hinduism as well. The UNESCO declared Polannaruva a World Heritage SIte in 1982.

Site map of World Heritage City of Pollanaruva 

At the entrance, there are ruins of Hatadage, details of Hatadage is shown in the below image:

Description of Hatadage

In the left hand side of Hatadage, there is Vatadage which is in much better condition till date.

Vatadage from outside

Description of Vatadage

Vatadage from outside

Inside of Vatadage

Stone sculpture at Vatadage

One of the four Buddha statues of Vatadage

Where many things of Vatadage is still recognizable, sadly in Hatadage there is only ruins. These old temples are evidence of Buddhism influence.

A temple inside Ancient city of Polannaruva

A temple inside Ancient city of Polannaruva

There are two Siva temples inside the city, which show the influence of Hinduism. Here I tried to capture only few major things, apart from these there are many items lying there with their own rich history.

Royal palace inside Ancient city of Polannaruva

A Stupa inside Ancient city of Polannaruva

There is a rock temple of the Buddha in the Ancient city of Polannaruva called Gal Vihara.

Buddha in sitting position in Gal Vihara

Buddha in sitting position in Gal Vihara

Buddha in standing position in Gal Vihara

Buddha in sleeping position in Gal Vihara

The Code of Disciplinary, Gal Vihara

Gal Vihara - Rock temple of the Buddha

Here ends our tour of Polannaruva. After that we had our much awaited lunch in a good restaurant, ummm - awesome food. I'm in love with Sri Lankan food.