Missing the sunset

 Mr. Haton, my tuk tuk driver in Anuradhapura, took me to the Abayawewa Resevoir to view the sunset.

 Unfortunately it was heavily overcast, so there was no sun to set! 

That's not a bad thing though, for since I came to Sri Lanka it has rained every day except today. So just overcast was good.

The government here has wisely built numerous reservoirs to harvest the rainfall, so they have no water lock offs here. (Can Jamaican politicians learn from them? I doubt it😡)

Besides with the amount of rice they eat here they have to grow lots of rice so water is always needed.

From this reservoir you can see all the major temples so people come here to meditate, enjoy the scenery or simply exercise, as there is a nice trail built beside the bank.

With no sunset to view, we went to Isumurini Raja Temple.

All the temples are more or less the same, with  passionate devotees, lots of shrines and the sweet smell of incense burning and the flowers and blooms the devotees bring ng to their prophet.

                 Abayawewa resovoir.

I don't think you can go anywhere in the Anuradhapura and not see an imposing statue of Lord Buddha so here he is right beside a meditation center across from Abayawewa reservoir.

Light from the incense rooms. Naturally, you see these better at night. 

Missed the sunset but enjoyed the beauty and fabulous art in and around another temple in Anuradhapura.

My new home

 The town of Homagama in Sri Lanka reminds of a typical big town anywhere in Jamaica, but naturally it is several times larger and busier.

And it has everything. You can even get the replica of a zebra to decorate your lawn!

As is usual in such places, sidewalks are few and far between and despite the numerous pedestrian crossings marked on the roads, using them is no easier or less dangerous than if they didn't exist.

Damith and Sharlene live on the outskirts in what is said to be the largest apartment complex on the island. 

Their community is Mount Clifford Range.

And it has physical security despite the low crime rate here.

It's the beginning of the monsoon season, so it rains intermittently all day and everyone walks around with their umbrellas. 

The biggest challenge though is making sure you don't get splashed. 

Jack fruit tree in the complex but the ripe ones are wasted as they only curry green ones.

A monitor lizard in our complex but was too scared to go closer for a good shot.

So yes, all's well so far. And with the help of my hosts, am just trying to figure out how to get to all the interesting places I have mapped out on this huge island, in a mere three weeks. 

More anon.