We've had a big day out today! We started off at a gem shop where we watched a video about mining gemstones in Sri Lanka. I couldn't get over the primitive conditions as the men dug the mine shaft, lined it with ferns and supported it with timber. When they brought the gravel to the surface they panned it for the stones. It looked much like panning for gold that we see from the olden days!
From there we went to a wood carving factory - many beautiful timbers and wonderful carving. We loved the carved elephants but they were very expensive and not suitable for our place. Next was the batik factory where we saw the ladies making batik cloth and wall hangings. The work was beautiful and it's great to see the process. Peter was taken with the lady who was doing the gold stitching - a treadle sewing machine and very fine work.
Our next stop was the Botanical Gardens, a massive area of land with beautiful spaces. After watching a snake charmer and holding a python we walked to the orchid house and saw many beautiful orchids. We continued around the path and through a formal area with flower borders and large trees. There was a suspension bridge at the rear of the gardens and an ornamental lake. We enjoyed a quiet walk around the gardens.
From the gardens it was back into the city and time for some lunch. We ate at The Bake House, a bakery selling local fare - egg and fish pastry roll, vegetable roll, onion roll - all delicious. I also bought some small cakes for us to enjoy back at the hotel or on the train tomorrow.
We walked through a shopping mall and to the central markets before getting a tuk tuk back to the hotel. We only just managed to get in the tuk tuk in time as it started to pour rain. The tuk tuk has vinyl sides on it so we let them down to cover ourselves up. We must have been in the least powerful tuk tuk in all of Kandy as he struggled along the street. We knew this would mean trouble as we approached our steep hill. He changed back through the gears a number of times as we climbed the hill. Water was coursing down the hill - thankfully we were getting close to the hotel. Unfortunately on the last steep rise we came to a halt and Peter had to get out and help push, thankfully it was only for a few metres before the road flattened out a bit. We had plenty to laugh about once we were home. We think we'll eat in the hotel tonight, they have a buffet of Sri Lankan food.