We left our hotel in Habarana a little later than usual, 9am which constitutes a late morning for me at the moment! We were taking a longish drive to Trincomalee on the East Coast. It’s a pretty straight road and as it was Sunday not very busy. You do drive through a National Park, so we kept an eye out for elephants in the road, sadly we didn’t see any, however I did see a Mongoose and a large hornbill, which was exciting. As you get closer to Trincomalee you go through a vast area of paddy fields and also a huge reservoir, which was low now but is often full. This reservoir ensures that the paddy fields and the surrounding farmland always has sufficient water for irrigation. The amazing thing is it was commissioned and built by a king back in the 11th Century! Sri Lanka is almost self sufficient when it comes to food, growing and producing enough for the whole country, they import very few items mainly electronics, cars and larger items mostly from Japan and China.
Trincomalee is a large city with a huge natural harbour whose strategic position has shaped its history, it has been held by the Portuguese, the Dutch, the French and also the British. More recently it was rented out to the Americans. This area of Sri Lanka, the North and East, was the area fought over during a 26 year civil war. The war was fought by the Tamil Tigers in the North, who wanted an independent Tamil state and the Sri Lankan military. The Tamil Tigers were defeated in in May 2009.
Buddi and I visited a large Hindu Temple to the God Shiva, which is inside a Fort built by the Dutch (the Dutch do seem to like a Fort!) Once again I had to remove my shoes and run across molten tarmac, the things I do for a good Temple! The Temple outside was being renovated but inside it is so incredibly colourful. People come here to worship but especially if they are trying for a baby. They give the priest some milk which he then blesses and puts it into some part of the Temple that then flows out to a tap, which the couple then drink from. (I’m not convinced this would pass Health and Saftey measures at home!) As this temple is about babies and conception there were lots of colourful mini wooden courts attached to the wall outside. If the couple conceive they then return with their baby for another blessing, so it was a lovely to see lots of babies around.
After this we drove to our hotel, which was a little further up the coast a Beach called, Nilaveli.
Nilaveli is gorgeous a long stretch of white sand and blue sea, with very few people. I went and sat by the beach and watched the sea, the waves looked very small so I decided to go for a paddle/swim in the sea. Most of the waves are small except the rather large one that landed on my head and knocked me flying! I retreated to the saftey of my lounger and watched the wildlife, Gorgeous Bee Catcher birds, huge bees, more eagles. Then as I was sat there some cows came wandering by in the beach, very random!
I had an early dinner another beer and went to bed.
Day 3. Fantastic
Hereandthereclaire.com 
Hope you didnt hurt yourself too much in the ocean. Good on you for getting in!
I love a good temple too. Sounds like you have a lovely day x
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😁😁 I was fine Hun, just wet and winded! 🌊. xxx
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