Travels in Sri Lanka and the Maldives August-September 1992 Our tour of Sri Lanka, from Colombo clockwise to Negombo (fish market), Anuradhapura (temples), Polonnarua (temples), Sigiriya (rock fortress), Kandy (town and temple), Nuwara Eliya (Hill Club and tea plantation) and World's End (dramatic view). After flying to the Maldive islands (475 miles south-west) we returned to Sri Lanka and went south to Galle and Matara. Colombo, Sri Lanka Tue 18th August. We flew to Colombo on Air Lanka. As soon as we arrived we were 'captured' by a taxi driver who subsequently took us on our tour round the ancient cities and hill stations. Wed 19th. Walked round the Fort and went to the Mount Lavinia Hotel for dinner. We saw the colonial-style Cargill's department store .... .... and Chatham Street in the centre of Colombo. Thur 20th. We drove up the west coast, stopping at Negombo fish market, a bustling place with a covered wagon for crows to ride on .... .... and plenty of fish drying in the sun. Ancient cities - Anuradhapura We drove on to Anuradhapura where we saw the sacred Bo tree and Isurumuniya temple. We stayed at Tissawera Guest House. Fri 21st. We drove round Anuradhapura visiting all the fascinating temples - we saw Ruvanvelisaya Dagoba (first and second pictures), Thuparama Dagoba (third picture), Lankaru Dagoba, Abhayagiri Dagoba, Samadhi Buddha, Kuttam Pokuna (twin ponds) and Jetavanarama. When we left Anuradhapura we stopped at a village near Giritale and saw a 'poor person's house'. Polonnaruwa Then we drove on to Polonnaruwa and visited the palace, council chamber, baths, quadrangle and north end. There were elaborate steps with guardstones to the entrance of the Vatadage temple in the Quadrangle (first picture) and huge stone Buddhas at Gal Vihara (great monastery) (second picture). Sigiriya Sat 22nd. We went to Sigiriya, and also visited the Dambulla caves and Nalanda Gedige. Sigiriya is amazing, first an aerial view and yes, we climbed right to the top! A section of the ascent of Sigiriya - not an easy walk! And part of the view from the top when you get there. As soon as we got to the top, the video battery ran out - there were no takers to go back to the car for the spare! Kandy Sun 23rd. We went to Kandy and visited the Temple of the Tooth. We stayed at the Mahaweli Reach hotel, near the river. There was a huge old tree in the Botanical Gardens. There were bats on a tree branch overhanging the river near Mahaweli Reach. The tranquil lake in Kandy. Mon 24th. We looked round Kandy - the market and the interesting shops .... .... the nice old-fashioned Queens Hotel .... .... and the departure board at Kandy railway station. Wham! An optimistic lorry... fully insured? Let's hope so. Nuwara Eliya Then we drove to Nuwara Eliya and stayed at the Hill Club. We had a cream tea at the Hill Club and wrote letters and postcards in the library. Tue 25th. We visited Horton Plains and World's End. It was rather wet and cold but the view was fantastic. Wed 26th. We looked round Nuwara Eliya town and visited a tea plantation. Meanwhile, out in the market, there are still vegetables for sale. Thur 27th. We went back to Colombo. The Maldives Fri 28th. We flew to the Maldives and went by boat from the airport to the Laguna beach resort on Velassaru island, where we settled down to relax for a few days. Each resort has its own island. The one below, Wadhoo Island, is a typical coral island that we passed in the boat on our way to Velassaru. Sat 29th. Visited Malé, the capital of the Maldives, on its own separate island. There was a selection of old, new and unusual minarets and mosques in the town. They were unloading fish in the fishing harbour in Malé .... .... and a barrow-load of fish on its way somewhere from the harbour. These fish are on their way home for dinner. A marching band in full uniform outside the presidential palace in Malé. Sun 30th Oct to Tue 1st Sept. At the Laguna Beach resort, where Sheila went scuba diving every day and Jamie, even more enthusiastic, dived two times a day. Wed 2nd. We flew back to Colombo and stayed at the 'old colonial' style Galle Face hotel. Galle and Matara, Sri Lanka Thur 3rd. We got the train to Galle, stayed at the old colonial-style New Oriental Hotel and had a fantastic meal at the Closenberg Hotel restaurant. We explored the city and saw the old gateway into the fortified city (first picture) and the fishing port, seen from the city wall (second picture). Fri 4th. We went to Matara at the southern tip of the island and saw the huge, modern Buddha at Weherehena temple. Yet another vegetable stall! This one's in Matara. Stilt fishermen near Ahangama on the south coast, on the way to Matara. Sat 5th. We returned to Colombo and had a last lobster thermidor at Mount Lavinia Hotel. We flew back to London. If you would like to see more of our travels just click the map.