Mellawa’s Rough Day with the Scutts
John’s Bad Tummy
I hear John getting up a few times in the night. He says his stomach is off. He thinks it’s the capsicum from his chicken stew last night. We head to breakfast and he has juice, bananas and toast. As soon as we get back to our room, he starts throwing up.
Unfortunately one of my human flaws is that if I am around people that are throwing up, I throw up as well which makes the situation worse. (I am also really bad with blood, snot and excrement; worst nurse ever).
We are set to leave for Sigiriya in a few minutes. I go to see the manager, Theshan, to see if he has any plastic bags that we can bring into the car in case John has to throw up again. Theshan is so kind, not only does he find us some plastic bags, he also brings us some Ayurvedic stomach medicine (Anise based). He is very thoughtful.
Our driver Mellawa, arrives. We say goodbye to the lovely staff at Lotus Lake Residence and head out on our three hour drive (plus stops) to Sigiriya.
It doesn’t take long before John is looking green again. He asks Mellawa to pull over cause he’s going to be sick. Mellawa immediately pulls over in front of someone’s house and John opens the door and starts upchucking on the front yard. Mellawa runs over and rubs John’s back as he gets sick while I cower in the back seat. I’m not proud but I think it is better having only one person throw up in the front yard instead of two.
When John is finally done, Mellawa goes to see the home owner, explains the situation, gets a hoe and covers up the outpourings with dirt. The owner of the house offers John the use of his washroom. Sri Lankan people are so kind.
John decides to sit in the front seat for the rest of the trip. I enjoy conversation with Mellawa as we drive along. Nothing like someone throwing up to break the ice.
Arulmihu Sri Muthumariamman Thevasthanam Matale
We are coming up to a beautiful and colourful Hindu Temple called Arulmihu Sri Muthumariamman Thevasthanam Matale. John says for me to go in while he stays reclined in the front seat. Mellawa comes in with me.
The colours, beautiful figures, paintings and meditative music make for a calming almost meditative atmosphere.
Some women approach me and ask if they can take selfies with me.
Mellawa gets some chalky paint out of a temple bowl and adds a red dot to my forehead; a third eye. Unfortunately my bangs cover it.
There are a number of worshippers in the temple. Many of the women are wearing sarees. They look so beautiful. The saree is the one outfit that looks flattering no matter what your age or size. I am envious. I tell Mellawa how I feel 
about the sarees and he asks a women wearing one if she could pose with me for a picture. After the picture is taken, I tell her how lovely she looks and she tells me I am beautiful.
Singalese women have a dress that is similar to the saree, it is draped differently with a pleated fan at the waist. It is also very attractive.
The Central Point of Sri Lanka
We continue our road trip until we get to an ancient temple in the central point of Sri Lanka called Nalanda Gedige. John stays in the car while Mellawa takes me in and tells me about it.
This stone temple was constructed between the 8th and 10th century. It was used at one point as a Buddhist Monastery.
Dambulla Cave Temples
We continue on our journey and we arrive at today’s main site, the Dambulla Cave Temples. The cave temples originated in the first century BCE. Over the centuries the caves have been enhanced with intricate murals and statues.
Although still feeling pretty weak, John is determined to see this UNESCO World Heritage site. It is midday now and very hot. We climb up a hill. The area is crawling with monkeys.
When we get to the courtyard area of the cave temples, John and I sit on some stairs to catch our breath. A female monkey sits on the ground pulling at some gum on the cement. A male monkey runs over and does the deed with her. It’s over in seconds. He runs off and she continues to pull at the gum as if nothing happened.
The countryside around the cave temples is gorgeous. As they say, Sri Lanka does not disappoint.
As we start to go into the temple, we are called over to an area where monks are doing the string bracelet ritual with people (click here for yesterday’s post which explains the ritual). I put up my hand to show I have a bracelet and John runs past. I look at his wrist and notice that his bracelet is gone. He informs me 
that he cut it off last night when he took his shower. I realize that it was shortly after that that his stomach issues began. Coincidence? I think not.
The cave temples are fabulous. Hundreds and hundreds of various Buddhas, dramatically lit in five different caves. The walls and ceilings are ornately painted. It is so impressive.
John keeps having to leave the caves to sit down outside because the caves are very humid and makes him woozey.
Monkey Antics
We head back down to a central area. We watch the monkeys and their antics. I see a mother monkey picking lice (or whatever) out of her mates head as she nurses her baby at the same time.
I spot a dress in a stall that I just have to buy. It is loose , flowing and my favourite shade of blue, perfect for a hot, humid day.
We speak to some Bosnians, who when they find out we are Canadian, comment how impressed everyone is with our Prime Minister. I have gotten this from other travellers on this trip.
The Golden Temple
John and I head down the hill to the Golden Temple which has a big golden Buddha. It is starting to rain so we head to the car where Mellawa is waiting.
Off to Yashi’s Place
John is pretty exhausted. Mellawa takes us to a grocery store and pharmacy where we pick up supplies such as pedialight, drinks, crackers etc.
We head through lush countryside with many rice fields to our family run accomodations in Sigiriya called Yashi’s Place. We say goodbye to Mellawa. John sleeps for a few hours before we have a very simple supper of grilled chicken, rice and vegetables. John manages to eat a bit.
We hear peacocks calling in the evening.
We go to bed very early.
