As our time in Sigiriya can to an end, it was time to jump in the car for the 2.5 hour ride to Kandy. On the way, we stopped at Heritage Spices and Herbs Garden. We were guided through the gardens, showing us the Ayurvedic uses of the many items grown on the premises. The tour ended in the store, where various items were well packaged to take back to friends and family. It was fun to learn about the healing properties of the spices and herbs grown in the garden. Once gifts for family and friends were purchased, it was time to get back into the car and continue on to Kandy.
Kandy
Kandy is known as the cultural capital of Sri Lanka. It is home to the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, containing a tooth of Buddha’s. While I didn’t see the temple, on the ride I noticed many temples and Buddhas in the hillsides.
In Kandy we stayed at Earl’s Regents hotel. It was a nice spot, up on the hill with gorgeous views, but a bit spendy. However, after the hiking and safari of the day before, and fair amount of time in the car, I opted to make reservations at the hotel for some revitalization in the evening. But before the personal pampering, it was time to take in some of the local culture. It was back into the car, and over to the Oak-Ray hotel for a Kandyan Dance.
The Dance was quite a scene. There were instruments, costumes, oil lamps, and lots of dancing. After about 10 short dances, it was time to head outside for the last performance. I had know idea of what to expect, but boy was I surprised. The final act was fire walking, fire swallowing and fire-breathing. It was an interesting show! After the show it was time for the real relaxation to start!
Back at the hotel, it was time to finally get the pedicure I booked earlier. There were no fancy spa chairs, but rather regular chairs, and a wooden bowl to soak your feet in. Over an hour was spent trying to get my feet in shape, and it was a blissful experience. Next up was a delicious dinner at the hotel, and then getting ready to move on to Nuwara Eliya in the morning.
