Plevyaks in Bali

Sunday we returned to Pandora escape room.  In September, as we commuted to and from the Green school Foundation fundraiser, we did 2 of the rooms.  This time we tackled their original room.  Legend of El dorado.  We have noticed that many things in Bali are not ADA compliant.  This room was one of them.  Rated a 'physical 2/5' it boasted multiple uneven, circular stairs leading to a secret room where you climb in through an unpadded 'window' about bellybutton height. It was ok the 1st time, but the info you need for the lock in that room is scattered throughout the rest of the spaces, up and down those stairs and through various narrow doorways.  John could not climb in at all, and Rams needed help with communication, so over I went about 12 times.  The real kicker was the cool secret passage that pops open about 1/2 way through..but with a box about shoulder height protruding into the passage.  We had to repetitively pass through this door ...

Why Sri Lanka for spring break?  Because John wanted to visit The Maldives which is only 1 1/2 hour flight from Colombo.  Before we set off, Sanda suggested we boat on the Mangroves and visit some monkeys!  It was awesome.  Then a short plane, another short plane and a short boat ride and Boom! We are at the Royal Island Resort in the Maldives!  The last is a view from our room.  I think we will like it here!

We started our day with an exhilarating speadboat ride around Lake Gregory in Nuwara Eliya. The lake is also a cow farm, so happy cows were grazing the banks. We had a 5 1/2 hour journey to Colombo ahead of us, but along the way, Rams learned to pick tea leaves, we saw stunning scenery and we river rafted and ziplined into the river. The highlight was visiting the home of our wonderful driver Sanda. His wife made us tea and cakes, and we met his 2 sweet kiddos. We stayed at the Jetwing Lagoon, a 5 star hotel near the airport. We actually preferred our small, cheap hotels and homestays, and for those keeping track. they did NOT make a good martini!

Sri Lanka is world famous for their train system and beautiful countryside, so we originally planned to take the train from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya.  This morning we changed up those plans to visit the Temple of the Tooth.  This shrine is a reliquary for a left tooth of Buddha, discovered in the ashes after his cremeation.  It reminded me of seeing the crown jewels.  It was very crowded with a lot of sensory input and a long line.  We got a glimpse into the sanctuary where the tooth is kept and then swept along.  The new sanctuary had paintings explaining the long history of the ownership of the tooth and the museum offered related artifacts. The context and relative calm were helpful. We enjoyed a walk around the botanical garden before lunch at a roadside restaurant that Sunda recommended.  Tea is big here, with vast plantations.  We visited one near our evening  destination and revelled in the cool weather so high up in the mount...

In Kandy I managed to book a homestay outside of the actual city.  Serenity View Oasis was very serene, and the view was amazing.  Dinner in the city below was equally breathtaking.  This is a beautiful country!

Yesterday's hike up Lion Rock was 1200 steps.  Today's visit to Dambulla Royal Cave Temple was a paltry 364 steps.  Again the views were amazing as were the art and history.  We walked down to the Golden Temple.  Our amazing driver then took us on an experiential oddessy to Kandy.  We rode elephants (a little scary, a little sad, and very memorable); bought hand carved wooden art (once again we wish we had a big house that could hold large wooden statuary); toured a factory and sampled Sri Lankan tea (delicious) and learned about Sri Lankan Ayurveda (Rams is trying their pimple creme) 

I know our afternoon experience was created for silly tourists with more money than sense, but we really enjoyed it.  We started with a short Ox Cart ride which Ramses was allowed to 'drive'.  Then a boat ride across a pristine lake to a 'village' where a young woman showed us the traditional way to make Sri Lankan curry on a packed mud stove. We got to eat an amazing lunchnof said Sri Lankan curries.  Finally,  we headed back via Tuk Tuk.  Naps completed the afternoon!