Tag Archives: Kandy

Temppeleitä ynnä muita / Temples, etc.

Kun sateet lopulta väistyivät, päästiin neljän seinän sisältä ulos katselemaan Kandyn ja lähialueiden nähtävyyksiä. Eerolla jatkui tietysti myös kotitouhuilut.

When the rain finally ended, we were able to go sightseeing in and around Kandy. Eero naturally carried along with his own chores.

During the constant downpour of more than two weeks, quite a few things of ours got moldy. Here's our shoes drying out in the sun after a Dettol bath treatment to kill out the mold.

During the constant downpour of more than two weeks, quite a few things of ours gathered mold. Here’s our shoes drying out in the sun after a Dettol treatment.

We visited the Royal Botanical Gardens (or Peradeniya Gardens) with our new Slovenian friends. It was quite nice a place to just stroll around and Eero had plenty of opportunities to play with sticks - or with "kepukka" as he says.

We visited the Royal Botanical Gardens (or Peradeniya Gardens) with our new Slovenian friends. It was quite nice a place to just stroll around and Eero had plenty of opportunities to play with sticks – or with “kepukka” as he says.

The gardens had quite a range of different speciments of plants. Including more than ten types of different grasses.

The gardens had quite a range of different speciments of plants. Including more than ten types of different grasses.

One interesting looking flower in the garden.

One interesting looking flower in the garden.

On a hot day, the ice cream was just the perfect thing to have. Just that Eero wanted to have all by himself.

On a hot day, the ice cream was just the perfect thing to have. Only that Eero wanted to have it all.

Would you buy anything from a man who has balloons as a hairdo?

Would you buy anything from a man who has balloons as a hairdo?

Eero having relaxing on the balcony.

Eero relaxing on the balcony.

Eero having a splash at our balcony just moments before the sunset. The last few days were blessed with good weather and we could take to pool outside instead of the murky bathroom.

Eero having a splash on our balcony just before sunset. The last few days were blessed with good weather and we could take the pool outside instead of the gloomy bathroom.

Ready steady go!

Ready steady go!

A woman lighting yet another sacrificial candle.

A woman lighting yet another sacrificial candle.

Eero and Maiju admiring the offering candles at the Temple of the Tooth. Having this many burning, they generated quite a  lot of heat and you could not be there too long.

Eero and Maiju admiring the offering candles at the Temple of the Tooth. Having this many burning, they generated quite a lot of heat and you could not be there too long.

Sri Dalada Maligawan eli Temple of the Toothin joka iltainen seremonia oli melko äänekästä kuultavaa. Vaikka vietettiinkin hyvä tovi siellä, niin ei nähty vilaustakaan siitä itse laatikosta jossa sitä hammasta pidetään.

The Temple of the Tooth daily ceremony was rather loud spectacle. Despite we spent a good moment there wandering around, we did not see a single peek of the container supposed to hold the tooth relic itself.

Pattirippuwa or Octagon at the sacred Sri Dalada Maligawa or Temple of the Tooth as it is ofter referred.

Pattirippuwa or Octagon at the sacred Sri Dalada Maligawa or Temple of the Tooth as it is ofter referred.

Myöhemmin Eero esitti oman versionsa rummutuksesta.

Later Eero played his version of the drumming.

A full moon as seen from our house. Not too often can you see the moon this bright back home.

A full moon as seen from our house. Not too often can you see the moon this bright back home.

Embekke Devale is an old hindu temple made mostly out of wood. It is especially famous for the carvings on the pillars around the complex. Here's a picture of a lion and an elephant.

Embekke Devale is an old hindu temple made mostly out of wood. It is especially famous for the carvings on the pillars around the complex. Here’s a picture of a lion and an elephant.

A splash of colour at the back of the temple.

A splash of colour at the back of the temple.

A beatiful lock and a handle at the Embekka Devale. We thought of bringing something like these home, but they were rather expensive and would have been quite difficult to install to our home door.

A beatiful lock and a handle at the Embekka Devale. We thought of bringing something like these home, but they were rather expensive and would have been quite difficult to install to our home door.

Eero was an enthusiastic temple visitor.

Eero was an enthusiastic temple visitor.

Eero having a meditative moment at a pond  inside an old temple complex.

Eero having a meditative moment at a pond inside an old temple complex.

The biggest walking Buddha statue! Almost reaching for the sky.

The biggest walking Buddha statue! Almost reaching for the sky.

One of the few sunsets we saw from our Kandy house. Most of the days it was too cloudy or raining or we just happened to be out of the house during the magical sunset hours.

One of the few sunsets we saw from our Kandy house. Most of the days it was too cloudy or raining or we just happened to be out of the house during the magical sunset hours.

That is our home hill - Primrose Gardens. Our apartment, though, is on the other side of the hill.

That is our home hill – Primrose Gardens. Our apartment, though, is on the other side of the hill.

The former president Rajapaksa had posters like these all over the place and through out the country. Unfortunately for him, even with the baby he lost the election.

The former president Rajapaksa had posters like these all over the place and through out the country. Unfortunately for him, even with such appealing ads he lost the election.

One of the voting posts. An official allowed us to take the picture, but was careful not to be shown in the picture himself as it was not apparently allowed.

One of the voting posts. An official allowed us to take the picture, but was careful not to be shown in the picture himself as it was not apparently allowed.

"We want you to vote!" Two ladies coming back from the voting booth liked Eero. He's looks, though, do not really say the feeling was mutual.

“We want you to vote!” Two ladies coming back from the voting booth liked Eero. He’s looks, though, do not really say the feeling was mutual.

Mountain railway pictorial

Lopulta kuin lopultakin pääsimme matkustamaan Sri Lankan vuoristojunalla. Jossain vaiheessa näytti jo huonolta, kun maanvyöryt olivat rikkoneet radan. Ihan emme purematta nielleet selitystä, että “trains are not running” ja se tosiaankin piti vain puolittain paikkansa. Tarkoituksenamme oli majapaikkamme (kts aikaisempi postaus) läheltä Ohiyan asemalta Kandyyn. Junat eivät kyllä kulkeneet kyseiseltä asemalta, mutta kulkivat Nanu Oyan asemalta, joka on muutama pysähdys lähempänä Kandyä. Näiden välillä rata tosiaan oli poikki kuten näistä kuvista varmaan hyvin huomaa.

Hieman asiaa pohdittuamme lähdimme matkaan yhdessä toisten majapaikan vieraiden kanssa Nuwara Eliyaan, jonka läheltä nuo junat sitten kulkivat. Tarjoteltiin kyllä kyytiä aina Kandyyn asti 7000 rupian hintaan (n. 44€), mutta onneksi valitsimme kuitenkin sekä vihreän vehreät teeviljemämaisemat sekä kukkarolle sopivan 300 rupian junalipun hinnan.

Mediareportaasi alla.

On our way back “home” from Ohiya, where we spent the New Year, we took a train from Nanu Oya to Kandy. A tea plantation prettiness overdose at the price of  just rs 150!

  IMG_1844 IMG_1850 IMG_1851 IMG_1853 IMG_1857 IMG_1870 IMG_1863 IMG_1860 IMG_1871 IMG_1875 IMG_1879 IMG_1893 IMG_1904 IMG_1906 IMG_1934 IMG_1970

Regular day at the office

This is how Maiju’s typical work day goes here in Sri Lanka.

At the Kandy House, the day begins with sweeping the floor upstairs from gecko droppings. I try to take this as a meditation exercise inspired by Japanese monks who rake the gravel in their rock gardens every day.

After breakfast, it’s time for some concentration exercises with Eero as my personal trainer. While I try to write, he keeps yelling, getting into trouble and tugging at my sleeve for attention. This he does, of course, lovingly and in the best intention. He is only trying to help me build concentration skills so rock solid that the sky could fall without me noticing.

My ghost writer. Am I going to get in trouble if University of Helsinki finds out?

My ghost writer. Am I going to get in trouble if University of Helsinki finds out?

In the fornoon,  the boys leave for one of their trips and I usually get a generous couple of hours undisturbed work time only disrupted by some Facebooking, random internet browsing (e.g. Googling for tips on how to get rid of mildew on EVERYTHING), writing emails and our travel blog, etc., etc.

When the boys return, it’s already time for a lunch break and after that, weather allowing, for an afternoon stroll. You can’t just stay inside all the time and work, can you? And while you’re already out of the house, it’s only sensible to be on the move until the dusk and dinner time. After returning home in the evening it’s too late to work anymore so it’s time for relaxation and quality time with the the boys.

Nap time, work time!

Nap time, work time!

Quite amazingly, I have been able to get some writing done on this trip. But small streams make big rivers, and I have been working at least a little most days, including Christmas. So I will return home with chapter 7 written (it’s nearly ready and I still have one week left), with chapter 8  (the last one!) well planned, and with a lot of ideas for introduction and conclusions. I guess that’s an okay accomplishment given the sometimes challenging working conditions and all the interesting things to see and do that lure me away from my writing.

 

 

 

 

Christmas Kandy

Meidän perheen joulu Kandyssa piti sisällään jotain vanhaa, jotain uutta, jotain lainattua ja jotain sinistä!

Our Christmas in Kandy included something new, something old, something borrowed, and something blue.

Many restaurants have colourfully decorated Christmas trees, which have kept Eero entertained through several dinners

Many restaurants have colourfully decorated Christmas trees, which have kept Eero entertained through several dinners

Light Christmas rain on Kandy lake

Light Christmas rain on Kandy lake

Our Christmas walk took us to the atmospheric Garrison cemetery. 20-year-old George Baxter Wilson died in Kitoolamoola in 1865 from "remittent fever".

Our Christmas walk took us to the atmospheric Garrison cemetery. 20-year-old George Baxter Wilson died in Kitoolamoola in 1865 from “remittent fever”.

RIP James and Willhelm

RIP James and Willhelm

Most of the headstones are for young adults and infants

Most of the headstones are for young adults and infants

Chef Mikko's Christmas Dinner: pumpkin with spicy cashews, brinjal curry, prawns, seer wish, and red rice

Chef Mikko’s Christmas Dinner: pumpkin with spicy cashews, brinjal curry, prawns, seer fish, and red rice

Christmas night called for a game of carrom. Ever since spotting the game through the bus window years ago, we've wanted to give it a go but haven't been able before. Great fun!

Christmas eve called for a game of carrom. Ever since spotting the game through the bus window years ago, we’ve wanted to give it a go but haven’t had the chance before. Great fun, we’ll have to get a carrom board home, too!

You can get decent Australian, South African and South American wines from the "wine shops". At this hour, the elves look quite tired.

You can get decent Australian, South African and South American wines from the “wine shops”. At this hour, the elves look quite tired.

Christmas day breakfast: rice porridge made with coconut milk, fresh fruit & juice, toast with pineapple marmelade

Christmas day breakfast: rice porridge made with coconut milk, fresh fruit & juice, toast with pineapple marmelade

Santa had left something in the stocking: wooden animals for Eero and antique keys for Maiju and Mikko

Santa had left something in the stocking: wooden animals for Eero and antique keys for Maiju and Mikko

Yul log by the Bake House. To be honest, it looks better than tastes.

Yule log by the Bake House. To be honest, it looked better than tasted.

At around three euros, the log was good value considering the amusement and photo opportunities it provided

At around three euros, the log was good value considering the amusement and photo opportunities it provided

Sinivuorten yö / Blue Christmas Night

Sinivuorten yö / Blue Christmas Night

Power was out on Boxing Day morning but these guys were already fixing it

Power was out on Boxing Day morning but these guys were already fixing it

Rains have caused landslides around Kandy

Rains have caused landslides around Kandy

Our Boxing Day stroll took us to the river at the bottom of our hill. Quite a lot more water than two weeks ago when we first arrived here.

Our Boxing Day stroll took us to the river at the bottom of our hill. Quite a lot more water than two weeks ago when we first arrived here.

A lot of locals were also admiring the river at its impressive after-the-rains state

A lot of locals were also admiring the river at its impressive after-the-rains state

Santa's footprints in the sno..., err, pavement

Santa’s footprints in the sno…, err, pavement

We live in the yellow house

We live in the yellow house up the hill

Soaked in Kandy

Mirissan ja Balapitiyan rantapaikkojen jälkeen oli aika vaihtaa maisemaa. Reissun jälkimmäisen kuukauden ajan meillä on tukikohta Kandyn kaupungissa Sri Lankan keskiosissa. Rannikon auringonpaahteen jälkeen ajatus vähän korkeammalla sijaitsevasta ja siten muutaman asteen verran viileämmästä olinpaikasta tuntui ihan houkuttelevalta. Ranta ja Intian valtameri jouduttiin jättämään taakse, mutta kuten pian kävi ilmi, kastumismahdollisuuksia on tarjoutunut Kandyssakin ihan riittämiin.

A moonstone welcoming us at the front door of the Kandy House

A moonstone welcoming us at the front door of the Kandy House

Kandyssa meillä on asuinpaikkana hulppean kokoinen kaksikerroksinen talo nimeltä Kandy House kukkulan rinteellä Primrose Gardenin hienostoalueella. Kandyn keskustaan on matkaa 3-4 kilometriä, mutta lähempääkin löytyy onneksi hyviä ruokapaikkoja ja -kauppoja.

The living quarters upstairs

The living quarters upstairs

Maiju's downstairs office

Maiju’s downstairs office

Eero about to lose his marbles

Eero about to lose his marbles

Making fresh fruit juice, step 1: fix the blender

Making fresh fruit juice, step 1: fix the blender

Some watermelon juice fresh from the oven (or blender to be more precise)

Some watermelon juice fresh from the oven (or blender to be more precise)

Parvekkeelta on hienot maisemat vastapäätä kohoaville rinteille. Maisemista ja Kandyn mukavan lämpöisestä ilmanalasta ehdittiin nauttia pari ekaa päivää. Sitten taivas repesi ja alkoi sataa, ja melkein tauotonta sadetta on tähän mennessä kestänyt reilun viikon verran. Tropiikissa sade kuuluu tietysti asiaan milloin tahansa, mutta nämä rankkasateet ovat kyllä olleet poikkeuksellisen runsaita.

The view does look nice, eh?

The view does look nice, eh?

Eero & the view from balcony (when it was still there. The view I mean, the balcony has not gone anywhere)

Eero & the view from balcony (when it was still there. The view I mean, the balcony has not gone anywhere)

In truth, this is the view we've had for most of the time so far

In truth, this is the view we’ve had for most of the time so far

Vettä tulee itse asiassa sisälle asti yläkerrassa. Ilmanvaihtotarkoituksessa katto ei ole täysin tiivis, mutta läpi tihkuu myös sadetta. Ei tosin kovin isoina lammikoina vaan lähinnä pienenä vesisumuna. Kaikki on joka tapauksessa kosteaa eikä pyykkejä tai pyyhkeitä tms. tietenkään saa kuivaksi. Kosteus on niin otollinen alusta homeelle, että mm. Mikon vanha kännykkä (!!!) on HOMEESSA.

Because of the rain, it is so damp upstairs that even Mikko's cell phone has gathered mildew (!!!)

Because of the rain, it is so damp upstairs that even Mikko’s cell phone has gathered mildew (!!!)

Sadesää on vähän rajoittanut poikien retkeilyä, mutta säätä uhmaten Mikko ja Eero ovat kuitenkin kolunneet lähikulmia. Maiju on töitten jälkeen päässyt ulos lähinnä ravintolaan ja/tai ruokakauppaan. Onneksi aikaa on vielä reilusti, Kandyssa olisi nimittäin kiinnostavia nähtävyyksiäkin. Sääennusteet lupaavat kelien paranevan vuodenvaihdetta kohti, toivotaan että ne ovat oikeassa!

Aww?

Aww?

For the latter month of our trip we will have the town of Kandy as our base. We have rented the Kandy House, a huge two-storey house in the well-off Primrose Garden area some 3-4 kilometres from the centre. The view from our balcony is pretty spectacular. Unfortunately, it has been raining exceptionally heavily for most of our stay here so far, so we haven’t really been able to enjoy the view or the attractions of Kandy so far.