Sunday 22 September - Habarana

We were slow starting today and delayed our departure until 8:45.  Our first stop was Minitale, where we climbed a long staircase before removing our shoes and hats to enter the shrine area.  None of us chose to climb to the place from which Buddhism was first presented to the king, a high steep area.


Then off to Anuradhapura, first capital of the island (5th century BC to 9th century AD).  This is a vast complex of shrines and ruins with many beautiful dagabas (relic chambers) and Buddha sculptures.  To enter shrine area we had to remove shoes and hats and leave parasols folded.  Some of us have very "tender tootsies" and found walking on the hot pavement excruciating.  


We examined a very well preserved moonstone - the first step leading into a temple - and Nuwan explained how it represented the human condition.  The vendors were quite persistent at a few places if we showed any interest at all, but generally we had no trouble.
There were snake charmers at various places, but we chose not to pay to see their acts.  
We had another big lunch at the Palm Garden Garden Village hotel, then drove back toward our own hotel.  Nuwan knew of a spa nearby that he and his wife really like, so we stopped for a look.  Cathy, Sally-Jo, Maria-Angelica and I all decided to go for the "full treatment" while Larry went back to the hotel to wait for us [and manage the photos]. 
We started with a head, neck and shoulder massage using herbal oils--so much for the fancy coiffures!  Then a full-body massage, including special attention to areas of injury or pain --- we all found this the most "full-body" we'd ever experienced.  Then a sauna session, followed by a heat table -- lying on a wooden slatted platform covered leaves with a heat source below, and a large curved cover over top, with only our heads out -- for about 10 minutes, then a strange ( as if the rest was totally familiar! ) time lying on our backs with our eyes covered and oil ( or something ) dripping from a container and running across our foreheads.  Then shower and shampoo, followed by facial scrub and massage with cream.  We were all very relaxed afterward.
Back at the hotel we picked up Larry and went for dinner and then off to bed. 
All Photos of the Day

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