Actually had to set alarm clocks this morning to get up early enough to see the Mihintale before it was too hot. The site had over 1000 steps and we wanted to make sure we were not out in the afternoon heat.
When we arrived at the site, we immediately found a guide who spoke English. He took use up a flight of stairs near the parking lot. At the top was the oldest stupa built in Sri Lanka. From there, he led us around the side of the mountain to show us the 68 caves. The caves were built by monks to meditate. Many of the original caves were natural caves, but later ones were carved into the mountain. The caves were a big hit for the kids, especially Saoirse, who loved the climbing and the heights. One of the caves had several bats there.
Next, we walked through the site to see where the monks would have lived and bathed. While touring there, we saw a large rat snake. The location has the Lion Fountain. Water came down from a large pool somewhere up above. The stone carving had the lion upon his hind legs. He would have had a wooden spigot. The monks would open the spigot, placed his hands on the lions front paws, and bowed his head down to the lion, washing himself. Our guide was nice enough to demonstrate. Next, we started the hike up the long stair up to the temple. At about 500 steps up, we had to take off our shoes to continue up to the holy area. We continued on up about 300 more steps. At the top was a small stupa and three peaks. The first peak we climbed was a viewing platform. The steps were carved into the granite but were very warn and barely there any more in some spots. The rain running off of the rocks did not help with us being bare foot. The decent was even slower, especially with Cai talking the whole way down.
Next, we climbed up to the actual stupa. At the base of the stupa, before the start of the climb, was a large fish pond. The stupa was built at the location where a monk from India (the son of Asok, Emperor of India) presented the concept of Buddhism to the King from Anuporha. A second stupa besides the main stupa holds the ashes of the monk.
We chose not to climb the third peak to see a 1986 Buddha statue. Instead, we headed down a side trail to see the Cobra Tank. The tank is 7 meters deep and really long. The water is spring fed as well as run-off water. The monks would draw water from the tank to carry down to the residential area to wash and bathe in.
Next, we took the path they would have taken down to the Alms Hall, where villages during the harvest time would bring food. The columns in the photo would have supported the roof. The large pit in the middle would have originally been marble lined and held water to act as natural cooling to the hall. The first pit, on the far end, was the rice trough. The bottom of the trough would hate been filled about a foot deep with very hot water, then copper plates would have been laid across and the bottom. And cooked rice would be put onto the plates, about 3 foot deep. The trough on the left side of the hall would have contained porridge. At the end of the trough was a grinding spot where the ground meal or vegetables would run through grooves into the tank.
Afterwards, we went to the beach before lunch. Daddy went snorkling and the kids played on the beach.
After lunch, we went took a rest in the room, then went back to the jetty to go on a glass bottom boat cruise
Packed, got everyone to bed, and got ready for an early morning wake up call.
Jael and Daddy went out on a boat snorkeling while the younger kids went with Mommy snorkeling from the beach. More sand castles were built than snorkeling occurred, but fun was had by all.
After lunch, we went back to the room for some quiet time. Mommy and Daddy also planned out activities for the next day (our last day in the Maldives).
We packed up this morning, ready to take the train to Colombo so we could catch our plane to Male this evening. We opted for the 11:30 train rather than the 6:20am because the guys at the ticket counter said it would get us there in plenty of time to make our 6:20pm flight. Though we got there with plenty of time to wait (10:00), the train did not come at 11:30…or 12:00… but closer to 12:30. And it went slow. As the ride went on we began to get more worried about reaching Colombo in time to make it to the airport. The gentlemen next to us began talking to David about our concerns and decided it would be better if we got off at an earlier stop and take a taxi to the airport because we would not make it from the Colombo station. However that stop was not a scheduled stop. They made phone calls, talked to the porter, and sent a message to the engineer to explain our situation, and the train made an unscheduled and special stop just to let us off (the train had another hour and half to Colombo then 45 min to the airport, while the taxi from this stop to the airport took 45 minutes). One gentleman also gave us his telephone number so we could have the taxi driver call him and he could explain/ translate for us. There were no taxi/vans when we got to the exit, so we had to take 2 tuk-tuks. Mommy, Cai, 4 suitcases and several backpacks piled into a normal size tuk-tuk while Daddy, the girls, and 4 suitcases piled in to one that had more room in behind the seat. Off we raced through the rain. We arrived just as they were boarding. Sigh. Mommy and Daddy started breathing again. The flight was short and Se really like the chicken biryani that they served. She also ate Cai’s. Tekla liked the yogart and ate Jael’s while Jael ate her biryanit and Teklas. Amazing what we can make work for meals.
After making our way through customs, we were met by the people from the resort. A speed boat took us on a dark ride to the island where we were warmly received and shown around (by another American – they don’t see many of us here). Dinner followed by a show…but we passed on the dock party in favor of beds. Nice soft beds.
Next, we climbed up to the actual stupa. At the base of the stupa, before the start of the climb, was a large fish pond. The stupa was built at the location where a monk from India (the son of Asok, Emperor of India) presented the concept of Buddhism to the King from Anuporha. A second stupa besides the main stupa holds the ashes of the monk.
We chose not to climb the third peak to see a 1986 Buddha statue. Instead, we headed down a side trail to see the Cobra Tank. The tank is 7 meters deep and really long. The water is spring fed as well as run-off water. The monks would draw water from the tank to carry down to the residential area to wash and bathe in.
Next, we took the path they would have taken down to the Alms Hall, where villages during the harvest time would bring food. The columns in the photo would have supported the roof. The large pit in the middle would have originally been marble lined and held water to act as natural cooling to the hall. The first pit, on the far end, was the rice trough. The bottom of the trough would hate been filled about a foot deep with very hot water, then copper plates would have been laid across and the bottom. And cooked rice would be put onto the plates, about 3 foot deep. The trough on the left side of the hall would have contained porridge. At the end of the trough was a grinding spot where the ground meal or vegetables would run through grooves into the tank.
