Tangalla

serene beauty of a deserted place - Tangalla.

Once a very popular seaside resort, only a few foreigners could be spotted here and there this time. “There’re no tourists this year, it’s so sad for us. All the small hotels, motels and bungalows by the beach are closed or empty“ – complained the depressed locals.

and the beach becomes virgin again

Fishermen find it difficult to sell their catch, so very few go out at sea these days

...but not the old ones, this is their only chance to help their families

remains from the tsunami break the idyllic scenes everywhere

Guess who crosses the road?

Marketplace and meals, this is the paradise of fruit adicted people.

trustworthy tuk-tuks on hire everywhere, just bargain a little before you hop on

Mulkirigala rock temple

All faithless, beware, thisis the last warning !

Steps lead up to a series of cleftlike caves in a huge rock in the middle of the rainforest. A small Buddhist school of young monks appears before the caves.

the place has a little of Dambulla and Sigiriya about it.

wall paintings inside the caves which serve as prayer rooms

a homosexual prince surrounded by demons

continue barefoot to the second level to a second set of caves sheltering large reclining Buddhas, together with other, smaller, sitting and standing figures.

the Boddhi tree and its prayer flags

fierce animals and demons guard the entrance to the sacred cave

thedemons keep the evils out, so you're nothing to fear inside

she looks familiar, giving birth to a God.

dagoba perched on top of the rock and inspiring views over the surrounding rainforest.

one good start

Arugam bay