Left our hotel for a short drive this morning to Polonnaruwa - driving through beautiful lush green countryside to reach this ancient site where 3 major kings have reigned. One of them had 300 wives but was infertile so no children!!! This ancient site was a delight to walk around wit some very well preserved building to be seen including the palace of the 2nd king, the audience hall and a Hindu shrine.

Polonnaruwa was once the capital and is also the second most ancient city in Sri Lanka. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The glory of mediaeval Sri Lanka is seen at Polonnaruwa, the mediaeval capital of the Island. An ancient and compact city, Polonnaruwa features 12th-century stone sculptures and the Gal Vihara – comprising four enormous Buddha figures, one reclining (it's 13 m long), one standing, one meditating and one sitting. The statues, located in a cluster along a dirt road, are revered as being amongst the most sacred monuments in Sri Lanka. There are also palace ruins, great bas-reliefs and friezes. Statue of Parakramabahu 1, Weijantha Prasada, Sandakada Pahana, Gal-potha(stone book) Highly recommended!!!

We had the best lunch today at a place called Priyamali Gedara restaurant where the owners encouraged us to help prepare the meal. Yes, even me who does not cook, managed to get collared into helping by shredding coconut with this weird machine to be added to one of the many curries being prepared. The restaurant overlooked rice paddies and as we were waiting for lunch we saw a huge storm coming towards us. Sure enough within 5 minutes there was torrential rain for about 20 minutes…we were all grateful this came when we were under cover – not walking around the ancient sites!!!

After our wonderful lunch we headed off to visit the Tooth Relic Temple and yet another Stupa!!! Have to say, as wonderful as they are I am starting to get a bit sick of seeing Stupas. We then went to a local wood carving factory where we watched the local craftsmen making all the carvings that they seem to try and flog off to us at every stop!!

Tonight we are staying in a homestay which will be an interesting experience for many in our group. All the couples are in one room and we single ladies have been put into 2 other rooms. It is very basic but seems quite comfortable. After the huge lunch today I don’t think I will need dinner but a nice cold beer will go down a treat.