Day 24- 1.28.17: Colombo, Sri Lanka

“Whatever has the nature of arising 

has the nature of ceasing.” 

-The Buddha

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And, today begins the "Temples" segment of Safaris, Temples, & Jewels! 

We woke to yet another greeting on the pier with 

local song and dance (I love it when they do that)....

-and we're off, on an early, sunny Saturday morning to see Colombo and experience the wonderful Kelaniya Temple.

First glimpses of Sri Lanka at 7:45 on a Saturday morning..already bustling

 Sri Lanka's population practices a variety of religions. 

As of the 2011 census 70.19% of Sri Lankans were Theravada Buddhists, 12.6% were Hindus, 9.7% were Muslims (mainly Sunni) and 7.4% Christians (6.1% Roman Catholic and 1.3% other Christian).

And everyone coexists in such a peaceful way.

-just a street corner Buddha!

textures, always the textures, catching my eye.

The Kelaniya Temple is a Buddhist temple, which was very busy early on this Saturday morning. 

Once we all removed our shoes, and made sure our legs were covered, we entered with our guide.

The young, the old, and all ages in between filed in and out of the sunlit grounds.The light was perfect. The smell of incense completely filled the air, and the low drone of chanting and prayer recitation in Sinhalese filled our ears.

The smoke from the hundreds of sticks of incense 
constantly burning 
dances gracefully, 
in full form, 
in the morning light

Hundreds of worshippers filled the grounds, all dressed in white for worship,  carrying plastic bags filled with fresh flowers to place on the monuments as part of their practice.  

They sat and chanted, recited prayer aloud, laid flowers, 
lit incense and candles, 

all in practice of their Buddhist precepts.  

 The worshippers did not mind us passing through, observing, and photographing, our guide assured us.

To me, that is a direct reflection of their 

centered concentration on their practice. 

It's so much about being the best, most kind, and respectful human that we can be, in this short time we have.

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Parallel busses for a second, driving through Colombo.
"I see you, do you see me?"
The smile. A universal language.

 Slice of Colombo life

Flash me that smile!  - For one dollar-

 At Independence Square, the history of Sri Lanka is told in beautiful carvings in a frieze under a panoramic open architecture.

 The occupying crows caught my attention here!

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Our next stop today was at a Hindu Temple. 

Very different feel, as this was a courtyard type layout, with multiple shrines along the perimeter for the many different gods worshipped in the Hindu faith. 

There was a good deal of renovation going on, 
- a color revival underway!
 There were lots of open cans of vividly colored paints laying around, as fresh coats of color were being added to this historic temple. 

The garish colors and styles of illustrations, and flashy lighting, are reminiscent of carnivals and 

circuses of the west -just with very different iconography!

Our last tour stop was at the National Museum.  
What a rich, interesting history Sri Lanka has, holding civil conflict, resolution making way for progress, multiple crowns and capitals, and thousands of years of culture and religious traditions. 

carved ivory tooth and nose picks! 17th century

a beautiful Ficus Banyan outside the Museum

Behind the National Museum are several city blocks of  university educated "street painters" selling their canvases.  Some really dynamic work!

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Our day in Colombo was wonderfully satisfying. So rich.  I find that I can't quite get enough of taking all of this in through the lenses of my three different cameras... 

But this adventure is drawing to an end! 

Our last two sea days lie ahead, followed by our Asian segment for four consecutive ports, then home. 

Tonight's early sunset