Colombo, Sri Lanka

While I have been spending most of my time in Sri Lanka in the country areas, yesterday my hosts took me downtown to show me the new Port City now under construction.

At lunch with Cmdr. Ravi, the number 2 officer in the Sri Lankan Navy.

This area is being developed by the Chinese on over 400 acres of mostly dumped up land. It's right across from old Colombo and beside one of the controversial container ports.

According to Dr. Damith, in 10 years this area will be Asia's predominant financial center.

Now, the only section in operation is the small beachfront entertainment area, but many people have started to visit and enjoy it already.

Love of ice cream is international, so this shop is at the entrance.

You can get a good view of the city center from there.

This is the old parliament building. (It's the only place I have seen the Sri Lankan flag, (so far) for it's the Buddhist flag that's predominant elsewhere.)

You can go to the top of this building and get a view of most of Colombo. It's called the "lotus building".

According to Wikipedia: "The lotus flower is a sacred symbol in Buddhism, representing purity, enlightenment, and awakening. Its ability to bloom in murky waters and rise above the surface symbolizes the potential for spiritual growth and transformation, even in the face of difficult circumstances."

(Because of the predominance of Buddhist symbols here one, may get the impression that this could be a theocracy. 

This is not at all so, as every religion is openly practiced here and Buddhism, though powerful in the culture and religion, is not involved in civil government.)

The exercise area is already in use. It includes a jogging lane and a cycling lane.

When we left Port City, we walked a short distance to the Navy Officer's Mess Hall for lunch.

 Only families and friends of senior Navy personnel are allowed there.

The Navy symbol.

Damith's friend Ravi is the head of the civil engineering division of the Sri Lankan Navy and the second highest officer in it's ranks.

That's the emblem outside the dining room. I suspect it's been there from the colonial period.

The mess hall is right across from the lighthouse.

Sections of Colombo near the train depot, remind me of downtown Kingston (Princess Street area) where everything is available in the shops and on the sidewalks.

Reminds me of the Princess Street area in downtown Kingston.

When I looked at the name of the street we were standing on, it was Prince Street.😁

After a lovely day of enjoying the downtown area, it was back home via the local train which was as crowded and rickety as a New York's subway!

Their rail system is one segment of their highly efficient transportation network that seems to facilitate their 22 million population very cheaply and efficiently.

(The population in the capital Colombo, is some 3 million)

For a cost less than $500 Jamaican, I took the train (by myself 😊) on a 7 hour trip to Anuradhapura! 

The criss, brand new coach.

Admittedly, the coach I traveled in going up, was old but at least had reclining seats and foot rests. 

The coach I returned in was brand new and criss, nicer than any I have ever seen in Amtrak, the US 's main train service.

I am really impressed with their cheap, efficient transport system made up of rail service, public buses, (they charge half the price of private buses and give tickets as you pay), private buses, millions of taxis and ride-share vehicles using tuk tuk (aka three wheeler), bikes and cars.

 More on that anon.

More memories in pics.

This is a man made beach!

Dambulla Cave Temple

WOW. 

That's the first thing that came out of my mouth on seeing the huge, imposing. statue of Lord Buddha at the Temple in Dambulla, Sri Lanka.

The Golden (Dambulla Cave) Temple is a sacred pilgrimage site for Buddhists.

 It's reportedly been so for around 22 centuries!

This plaque gives background information on the Temple.

I  thought the flags above were Sri Lankan flags, as you see them  everywhere....inside/outside public buildings and even on the buses.

 However I was informed that they are Buddhist flags..

Therefore, I don't think I have seen the Sri Lankan flag flying anywhere since I got here! For I even passed a government ministry and looked for the country's flag, but no sign of it. Just the  Buddhist flag everywhere! 

Buddhism is complex. Some people say it's a religion, others say it's a way of life. 

I agree with the latter explanation and have always been drawn to it because it preaches peace and internal happiness.

My favorite aspect of their philosophy is " do no harm".

While Lord Buddha did not insist that adherents become vegetarians, I hate the idea of spilling the blood of animals to fill our bellies. But since mi bruk bad in this life, will have to wait until I am reincarnated to stop doing that.

Then oh then can poor pigs be saved from me!

Depiction of monks on the pilgrimage

Adherents from all over the world visit to show devotion to Lord Buddha.

Here, I pay homage to Buddha .

Fruits are left outside below the statue to feed monkeys, birds and other creatures in the vicinity.

Inside the museum at the Dambulla complex, there is so much to learn.

Posing with the dancers. You have to wear a white top and remove your shoes to enter Buddhist temples here. (It's different in Thailand. You can't enter in shorts but no white top required.)

The complex is so awesome from every angle!

Description of how paper was made from talipot palm, in ancient times. 

Replicas of typical Buddhist parades showing the various hierarchies of adherents. 

In the background is a replica of male dancers and drummers in the temple.

This is supposed to be a replica of Lord Buddha's foot.

 The Princess in the plaque above, is supposed to have smuggled Lord Buddha's tooth in her hair from Kalinga, India, to Sri Lanka, hence she is held in high regard among Sri Lankan Buddhists.

This complex in Dambulla is a fascinating place to visit. 

Ganga (r) a devout Buddhist, gave me the necklace I am wearing in pic. Her mom is on the left.. 

Buddhists are extremely kind and generous people, as exemplified by my host in Sri Lanka, Professor Damith.

🙏.