Train travel in Sri Lanka is relatively simple.
Isurumini Rajamaha Viharaja
Isurumini Rajamaha Viharaja
Kandyan dance (Sinhala: උඩරට නැටුම්) encompasses various dance forms native to the area called Kandy of the central hills region in Sri Lanka. But today it has been widespread to other parts of the country.
According to the legend, the origins of the dance lies in dance ritual known as the Kohomba kankariya (named for the deity Kohomba), which is also known as Kohomba yak kankariya or simply kankariya.
Traditional dance masters believe that originally the king of a place referred to as "Malaya Rata", and his two brothers, performed the first Kohomba kankariya. Some believe that this "Malaya Rata" was located in India.
Kandyan dance
Kandyan dance
Stupa.
Mihintale is a mountain peak near Anuradhapura in Sri Lanka. It is believed by Sri Lankans to be the site of a meeting between the Buddhist monk Mahinda and King Devanampiyatissa which inaugurated the presence of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. It is now a pilgrimage site, and the site of several religious monuments and abandoned structures.
Mihintale is a mountain peak near Anuradhapura in Sri Lanka. It is believed by Sri Lankans to be the site of a meeting between the Buddhist monk Mahinda and King Devanampiyatissa which inaugurated the presence of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. It is now a pilgrimage site, and the site of several religious monuments and abandoned structures.
Mihintale is a mountain peak near Anuradhapura in Sri Lanka. It is believed by Sri Lankans to be the site of a meeting between the Buddhist monk Mahinda and King Devanampiyatissa which inaugurated the presence of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. It is now a pilgrimage site, and the site of several religious monuments and abandoned structures.
Mihintale is a mountain peak near Anuradhapura in Sri Lanka. It is believed by Sri Lankans to be the site of a meeting between the Buddhist monk Mahinda and King Devanampiyatissa which inaugurated the presence of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. It is now a pilgrimage site, and the site of several religious monuments and abandoned structures.
Autorisha's ;)
The Wolrd Largest Buddha Statue (*as of 2015) in the Dhamma Chakka Posture, 30 meters (100 feet) in height.
The Wolrd Largest Buddha Statue (*as of 2015) in the Dhamma Chakka Posture, 30 meters (100 feet) in height.
Dambulla cave temple also known as the Golden Temple of Dambulla is a World Heritage Site (1991) in Sri Lanka, situated in the central part of the country.
It is the largest and best-preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka. The rock towers 160 m over the surrounding plains.
There are more than 80 documented caves in the surrounding area. Major attractions are spread over five caves, which contain statues and paintings.
Dambulla - largest and best-preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka. UNESCO, World Heritage Site.
Dambulla - largest and best-preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka. UNESCO, World Heritage Site.
Sigriya was a monastery belonging to 1-2 centuries B.C. with caves surrounding the rock. King Kassapa I (473-491 A.D.) transferred the administrative centre from Anuradhapura to Sigriya and ruled the island from Sigriya.
Sigriya was a monastery belonging to 1-2 centuries B.C. with caves surrounding the rock. King Kassapa I (473-491 A.D.) transferred the administrative centre from Anuradhapura to Sigriya and ruled the island from Sigriya.
The true identity of the ladies in these paintings still have not been confirmed. There are various ideas about their identity. Some believe that they are the ladies of the king's while others think that they are women taking part in religious observances. These pictures have a close resemblance to paintings seen in the Ajanta caves in India.
The names of the ladies and the artists who painted them are lost to history. Their legacy has survived for over half a million days, a testament to the genius of their creators and the king who commissioned them.
Sri Lankan bus. These are really cheap - the best to travel the island.
Sri Lankan bus. These are really cheap - the best to travel the island.
There is no social help in Vietnam (so I've been told). People must work to eat and pay bills, despite their age and you see a lot of elderly people working on the streets - like this lady. *These carrier baskets can be actually very heavy. Seriously...
VIetnam traffic. It does sound crazy but I'd like to think about that as of a "controlled chaos"...
...and it does work beautifully, trust me. Technically, you could eat a breakfast in the middle of this crazy crossroad and they would "magically" find a way around you... by using all senses. It really works even though it looks chaotic / scary / irrational / crazy / ...You name it
It is a regular day in the Hanoi's Old Quarter. Traffic goes on and on for best part of the day...
Tourist taking photo. As I said earlier. They will find a way around any obstacle and keep moving. This was absolutely brilliant experience... First couple of days I've been learning how to cross the street but towards the end of my stay I joined them on a scooter and ...I genuinely enjoyed it...
Traffic can get really busy.
Ok, remember when I said earlier "you could eat a breakfast in the middle of this crazy traffic and they would "magically" find a way around you"? When I saw this young lad crossing the street and bouncing a basket ball, I thought... I've seen everything...
Bikes, Pederastians, Cars, Taxis, Buses - come from any direction...
Guy parked his bike directly ON THE RAILROAD - despite the fact there is plenty of space around - and went for shopping. *Gates to the main railway station of Vietnam's capital city of Hanoi is just behind my back... He is either very relaxed or decided to take the red pill today...
Anything can be carried on those little scooter bikes. Refrigerators, TV's, car windscreens. I have seen a family of 5 (2 adults + 3 children) on one scooter but my friends claim they have seen a family of 5 +dog... No reason not to believe in that ;)
Next students? Outside of Temple of Literature, Hanoi.
Outside of Temple of Literature, Hanoi.
Doctors Stelae, Temple of Literature.
Children, future of this fascinating country? Inside Temple of Literature, Hanoi.
Sculpture, Temple of Literature, Hanoi - Vietnam's first national university. The temple was built in 1070 and was reconstructed during the Trần dynasty (1225–1400) and in the subsequent dynasties.
Confucius (September 28, 551 BC – 479 BC) was a Chinese teacher, editor, politician, and philosopher of the Spring and Autumn period of Chinese history.
The temple layout is similar to that of the temple at Qufu, Shandong, Confucius' birthplace.
Vietnam National Museum of Fine Arts.
Bhudda, Vietnam National Museum of Fine Arts.
Inside of Vietnam National Museum of Fine Arts.
Thousand-armed and Thousand-eyed Avolokiteshvara. Sculpture dated 1656 AD.
Anyone still in doubt earth isn't flat and lies on a crocodile? ;)
Arms - Thousand-armed and Thousand-eyed Avolokiteshvara. Sculpture dated 1656 AD.
Thousand-armed and Thousand-eyed Avolokiteshvara. Sculpture dated 1656 AD.
Relax ;)
Sculpture, Vietnam National Museum of Fine Arts.
Sculpture, Vietnam National Museum of Fine Arts.
Sculpture, Vietnam National Museum of Fine Arts.
Vietnam National Museum of Fine Arts.
Death "swallowing" a soldier? Nice sculpture.
Painting, Vietnam National Museum of Fine Arts.
Painting, Vietnam National Museum of Fine Arts.
Sculpture, Vietnam National Museum of Fine Arts.
Streets of Hanoi. I've been told one could taste a dog on those streets but I didn't have time to go back there so I can't really share the experience
Vietnam traffic, health and safety... Of course...
Hanoi traffic at night, long exposure photo.
Hanoi traffic at night, long exposure photo.
Texting while riding a moped in a busy traffic? I have seen everything...
Water Puppet Theatre in Hanoi. I would certainly recommend that - beautiful story of Vietnam with traditional music. MUST SEE if you're around.
Water puppetry (Vietnamese: Múa rối nước, lit. "Making puppets dance on water") is a tradition that dates back as far as the 11th century when it originated in the villages of the Red River Delta area of northern Vietnam. Today's Vietnamese water puppetry is a unique variation on the ancient Asian puppet tradition.
Mother and daughter, streets of Hanoi
Hỏa Lò Prison (built between 1886–1889) was a prison used by the French colonists in Vietnam for political prisoners, and later by North Vietnam for U.S. Prisoners of War during the Vietnam War.
Hỏa Lò Prison (built between 1886–1889) was a prison used by the French colonists in Vietnam for political prisoners, and later by North Vietnam for U.S. Prisoners of War during the Vietnam War.
Hỏa Lò Prison inside one of the cells...
Craft or major repair on the streets of Hanoi?
Ha Long Bay (ENG: “Bay of the Descending Dragon”) is a World Heritage Site and a very popular travel destination in Vietnam.
Boat trip in Ha Long Bay. Kayaking and swiming has been recently banned by government. Reason? Unresponsible tourism, just to name one...
House on the water.
Those artificial islands have been built about 20+ years ago.
Local people are make living from fishing and harvesting pearls.
Yet another fishing boat.
Typical household in the area.
Apartments for rent? Please make an enquiry if you are interested. I heard you can actually spend a night or a few nights there. Please check and give us a comment if you have any more details. Would you spend a night in there if you had a chance?
Local people take youon a boat to guide you through this this beautiful area and show you the beauty of it. Small donation is expected.
People living on the artificial islands...
Ha Long Bay has an area of around 1,553 km2, including 1,960–2,000 islets, most of which are limestone. The core of the bay has an area of 334 km2 with a high density of 775 islets.
The limestone in this bay has gone through 500 million years of formation in different conditions and environments.
Plenty tourists excursions can be found in the area. Only certain number of crews is allowed at the same time in the bay due to government regulations.
Boat excursion takes you through truly scenic part of our planet... Unforgettable views and amazing experience.
No words here...
You have choice 1, 2 or 3 day boat excursion but other arrangements can be made with tour operators if you wish.
Truly relaxing time in an extraordinary place...
Scenic views surrounding you all the time during the excursion.
Scenic views surrounding you all the time during the excursion.
Calypso cruise is one of many tour operators in the area. I used "Lemon Cruise" and I would definitely recommend them.
Scenic views surrounding you all the time during the excursion.
Scenic views surrounding you all the time during the excursion.
In 2000, the UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee has inscribed the Hạ Long Bay in the World Heritage List according to its outstanding examples representing major stages of the Earth’s history and its original limestone karstic geomorphologic features.
The first group of caves is old phreatic caves which include Sung Sot, Tam Cung, Lau Dai, Thien Cung, Dau Go, Hoang Long, Thien Long. Nowadays, these caves lie at various high levels.
Within Ha Long Bay, the main accessible caves are the older passages that survive from the time when the karst was evolving though its various stages of fengcong and fenglin.
They are distinguished by the main elements of their passages being close to the horizontal and are commonly related to denuded or accumulated terraces at the old base levels.
Another excursion. Trust me, this place is actually busy. Plenty of tourists. No wonder why.
The karst landscape of Ha Long Bay is of international significance and of fundamental importance to the science of geomorphology.
Place is an absolute beauty.
Inside the boat. Conditions as you can see. Each cabin has a shower. Meals and beverages are included. You need to pay for alcohol if you want and it's not cheap...
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