Day 7 – A Day of Surprises and Serendipity.
She Said:
It was a Full Moon, and here, every Full Moon is a big deal. It’s a two-day holiday for everyone—not just Buddhists but every other religion too.
Now, that’s inclusiveness at its finest.
This isn’t just a tourist stop—it’s been a sanctuary of worship and meditation for over 2,000 years.
Think 150 statues, each with its own unique pose and expression, nestled in five intricate caves. The fresco-covered ceilings, painted with natural pigments, tell stories of Buddhist teachings, royal patronage, and celestial wonders. It’s jaw-dropping stuff.
The energy was electric, and for me, it felt so much more real than a regular temple visit.
Centuries ago, this was a monastery where monks sought solitude and nature’s embrace. It’s easy to see why.
As we walked through shaded paths, surrounded by silence broken only by rustling leaves and bird calls, I felt like we’d stepped into another world.
Legend has it that this forest holds medicinal plants dropped by Hanuman, the Monkey God, during his quest to save Lakshman. The place felt magical, and even with more visitors due to the Full Moon, the hushed reverence was palpable.
Life had one last surprise for us. Roshan, our guide, received the sad news that his uncle had passed away. He needed to visit his family but, in true Sri Lankan hospitality, offered to drop us at Polonnaruwa, a site not on our itinerary but one of the most famous ancient cities in the country.
How could we say no?
With only two hours to explore, we rented bikes to zip between the key spots.
But muscle memory kicked in, and there I was, pedaling away on an old, rusty bike like a pro.
Watching modern worship unfold alongside these ancient relics was a humbling experience—proof that the past and present can beautifully coexist.
Picture this: a firewood kitchen churning out the most delicious traditional buffet we’d had the entire trip. The food was so abundant and flavorful, it made every other meal pale in comparison.
We couldn’t even finish a third of what was offered!
2025 is starting with some incredible memories from this special, unforgettable country.
He Said:
Today was supposed to be one of those days where I just power through – temples and archaeological sites, my two least favorite things (right after cities).
But Sri Lanka had other plans… and it turned out to be one of the most magical days of the trip.
The day started with a visit to a cave temple. Not my thing. Dark, humid, and full of statues that all started looking the same after the first five minutes. But I survived.
Then, we went to an ancient monastery that had been swallowed by the jungle and hidden for over a thousand years. And that… that was something else. Not so much the ruins themselves, but the whole experience of walking through the dense forest, the absolute peace of the place, and the way the monkeys seemed to be running the show. It felt like stepping into a lost world, untouched and serene.
Now, here’s where the day took an unexpected turn. Our guide, Roshan, got news that his uncle had passed away the night before. He wanted to visit his family, who lived about 90 km away, and asked if we’d be okay tagging along. He said he’d drop us somewhere “special” for two hours while he spent time with his relatives. We had no idea what to expect but said yes.
And wow, did we luck out.
He dropped us at a massive archaeological site – a former royal palace from almost 2,000 years ago. But instead of just wandering around on foot, we rented bicycles and spent two hours cycling through this enormous, tree-lined park, hopping from one ruin to another, weaving through ancient stupas and crumbling walls. It was full moon, a huge day for Buddhists, so the place was filled with people dressed in white, monks in orange, and – of course – monkeys who seemed completely unimpressed by it all.
The whole experience was breathtaking – just the right mix of adventure, history, and pure joy of movement.
To top it off, we ended the day with a real home made Sri Lankan feast – over 30 different types of curry in an all-you-can-eat buffet. Every single dish was bursting with flavor, and we left completely stuffed and happy.
Now, back in the room, exhausted and satisfied. A long bath, then sleep.
Tomorrow is a slow day – just relaxing at the hotel until the evening when Roshan will take us for one last dinner before the four-hour drive to the airport. Almost time to say goodbye to Sri Lanka… but not just yet.
