Sri Lanka 2014

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300 Year old Lord Buddha statue in a temple at the great pagoda in Annuradhapura.  Most of the old ruines in Annuradhapura are more then 2000 years old.  The old city of Annuradhapura is more the 25 square kilometer in size.  The great white Pagoda Ruvanveliseya is a fine example of the ancient building techniques in ancient Annuradhapura.  The moonstones in the old city of Annuradhapura are very famous. Nowadays they are protected, but one specimen has been sold in 2014 for € 700.000. 
This is the oldest pagoda in Sri Lanka, it's amazing it's still in this fine condition because it's more then 2000 years old (probely from 400 BC) and is also situated in the old city from Annuradhapura.  A beautiful Lord Buddha statue, one of the oldest in Annuradhapura. So this statue is also more then 2000 years old.  The entrance to the first cave from the world famous Dambulla cave temples, this cave where the homes of Buddhust monks since 200 BC.  Colourful carved Lord Buddha statues, there are more then 150 to be found in the Dambulla cave temples.  Statue of one of the Kings who helped build the famous Dambulla caves, also inside the Dambulla caves. 
Most of the beautiful fresco's on the ceilings in the Dambulla cave temples are around 700 years old.  Acording to the legend, this small pagoda in the fourth cave from the Dambulla cave temples, was the hiding place for the jewels from the wife of King Valagamba.  The combination of beautifull fresco's and nice carved stone Lord Buddha statues is an amazing view. Dambulla cave temples.  This Lord Buddha statue can be found in the 5th and last cave of the Dambulla cave temples.  Lord Buddha statue with beautifull freco's in the Dambulla cave temples. 
A selection of the more the 150 Lord Buddha statues in the Dambulla cave temples. Please notice the beautiful painted ceiling and walls.  A detail from a Lord Buddha statue with behind the statue some great fresco's, found in the Dambulla cave temples.  The 5th cave from the Dambulla cave temples is a small cave but it houses some nice colourful Lord Buddha statues.  Interior of the Dowa temple near Ella, most of the temples have this kind of images on the walls.  At the Dowa temple near Ella you can find this large 2000 year old Buddha statue, carved out of solid granit rock. 
The Haputale station is situated in the Sri Lanka mouintains almost 1500 meter above sea level. So it's a cold (20/24 degrees) and wet place.  Common Myna (Acridotheres tristis) is one of the most common birds of Sri Lanka. Photo taken near Ella.  Three beautiful carved Lord Buddha Statues in the mountains from Sri Lanka. This place is called Buduruvagala and there is a small temple nearby.  The big waterfall of Ella is a nice stop have a drink and take some pictures. But beware of the stealing monkeys!  Another Common Myna (Acridotheres tristis) near Ella. 
Green-billed Coucal (Centropus cholorhynchus). An endangered and endemic bird, photo taken near Ella.  A classic view, one of the tea factories in the mountains from Sri Lanka.  Very colourful Lord Buddha statue with two monks, the blue monk is called Ananda and is one of the most loyal disciples of Lord Buddha. Dowa temple near Ella.  A wedding couple in Galle. The dress from the lady is amazing.  The Dutch church in Galle fort is a fine example of Dutch colonial architecture in Sri Lanka. 
The lighthouse from Galle is surrounded by palmtrees.  A spinner Dolphin in the sea near Mirissa.  Three beautifull spinner Dolphins in the sea near Mirissa.  Another spinner Dolphin in the sea near Mirissa.  A group of spinner Dolphins in the sea near Mirissa (actualy this is a part of a much larger group with hunderds of Dolphines). 
The tail from a blue whale, the largest animal ever lived on earth, seen in the sea near Mirissa on our trip with Raja and the Whales.  Jumping spinner Dolphins in the sea near Mirissa.  The Lord Buddha statues in Pollonaruwa are the best example of the great craftmanship from the ancient Buddhist sculptors.  It's amazing how the ancient sculptors did use the colours and lines from the rock to created perfect statues. This statues are around 1000 years old.  A Toque Macaque (Macaca sinica) in Polonaruwa. 
The old ruines are close to the new city of Polonaruwa, but inside the old city you are in a total diffent world.  One of the amazing Lord Buddha statues in Polonaruwa.  A detail from a Lord Buddha statue in Polonaruwa, see how the colour and lines from the rock perfectly fit in.  Blowhole near Tangalle, sometimes the water will blow as high as 40 meters.  This is the famous Taprobane island. It is for rent, with a butler, chefcook and staff. It will set you back a few thousand dollars. 
The long wide beaches of Tangalla are one of the best in the whole of Sri Lanka.  Beautiful statues in the Wewurukannala Vihara temple near Tangalle.  Lord Buddha statues in the Wewurukannala Vihara temple near Tangalle.  The great Lord Buddha statue in the Wewurukannala Vihara temple near Tangalle. You can clime this statue to have a great view over the surrounding area.  Overview of the Wewurukannala Vihara temple near Tangalle. 
An other view from the beach near Tangalle.  The group of orphan elephants from the ETH (Elephant Transit Home) in Udawalawe National Park.  Very young orphans in the ETH (Elephant Transit Home), Udawalawe National Park.  Two young elephants in the ETH (Elephant Transit Home), Udawalawe National Park.  A small owl in Udawalawe National Park. 
An overview from Udawalawe National Park.  One the employees of the ETH with some young orphan Elephants.  Black-backed Jackal (Canis aureus) in Wilpattu National Park.  Little Green Bee-eater (Merops orientalis) in Wilpattu National Park.  Crested Serpent-Eagle (Spilornis cheela spilogaster) in Wilpattu National Park. 
A very strange mushroom in Wilpattu National Park.  Spotted Deer (Cervus axis) in Wilpattu National Park.  Ruddy Mongoose (Herpestes smithii) in Wilpattu National Park.  A turtle in Wilpattu National Park.  Common Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) in Wilpattu National Park.