Reached our Limit -- Sri Lanka

We saw everything we wanted to see in Sri Lanka and still had an extra day left. We could have stayed in Sigiriya for another day and layed by the beautiful pool, but that's just not our style. We had our fill of being scammed, and were tired of being gawked at, so we decided to go to Dubai a day early, and we're all giddy about getting there. I guess you can take the girls out of the Middle East but you can't take the Middle East out of the girls!

On our last day in Sri Lanka we drove back to Colombo via Kandy.  In Kandy we went to the Temple of the Tooth.  Apparently the have Buddah's tooth in there and it is a much loved and venerate temple, especially for the Sri Lankans.  We were pointed and stared at some more while we were there, but we did go through the line to see the relic through the window that they open 3 times per day. There was also a museum at the temple that we walked around. It told the story of the tooth and how it had been stollen by the British and the Indians, but was retrieved each time.

Then we went shopping, and oh how that put a smile on our faces! At our first store TB1 got a gorgeous moonstone necklace, and I got 3 miniature bone figurines, one was the Sigiriya lady from the frescos, and one was Ganesh which has a secret hiddy hole.  The store keeper wouldn't tell us what it was for, he said we could hide a chain in there, so it must be for something really illicit like cocain or something!

At our next store I found a big carved wooden elephant. I put it up on the counter and saw that the foot was damaged, so I picked up another one and set it on the counter.  Then I walked over to see what TB1 was looking at. When we turned around and saw the 2 elephants on the counter together they were just so beautiful. TB1 told me that I had to get them both! And so, as the obedient sister that I am, I did! Along with 2 wooden carvings! TB1 got a carved wooden peacock and some wonderful moonstone earrings to go with her new necklace.  Weighted down we called our driver with happy smiles.

Our next stop was the Royal Botanical Gardens. We don't do lesurely strolls very well, but we tried. There were so many types of Palm trees, it's hard to imagine. There was also an Orchid house with some beautiful flowers. It was very peaceful and beautiful. Surprisingly, the Sri Lankan teenagers were behind every tree and monument making out, you would have thought they were Italians! 

On the way out of the gardens was another wonderful shop. TB1 had been looking for a tall wooden carving for a specific niche in her new house, and she found exactly what she was looking for. I bought 2 Stuppa shaped cloches, I'm giving one to TB1 for Christmas. :) I also bought a little Sri Lankan mask that represents friendship, and a small framed picture. 

We both brought our roll-a-board carry-ons packed inside an empty full-size suitcase so we have plenty of room for our treasures. TB1 even packed a roll of bubble wrap. We are so good at this!