Badulla is a one hour train ride from Ella. So, while we were in Ella, we went for a day trip!I'm so glad we did! The day had so many little delights!
On our way to Badulla, we stopped at Demadora. There's a famous train tunnel there. Built around the mountain so the track would not surpass a 14 degree grade. Seeing the tunnel was fine. But what was special, was having a little snack at a brand new food stand out side the station. The owner, a lovely lady, had decorated her stand with balloons and streamers. She was so proud to have us sit and eat. Charming!
Badulla is a bustling busy city. On our way to nowhere in particular, we stopped at a little fruit/ice cream stand. Again, we were charmed by the pride the lady took in preparing and serving our fruit cup. Delightful!
In the middle of Badulla there is a large Buddhist temple with several buildings and a pleasant amount of green space. On the way into the temple, there are lotus flower vendors. Many visitors buy lotus flowers to present to the many Buddha statues at the temple. Lotus flowers are significant in the Buddhist faith. They represent purity of the body, speech and mind. And, according
to legend, when Gautama Buddha (the first Buddha) first walked, lotus flowers bloomed under his feet at each step.Pictures
1-How fun!!! A goat eating in the streets of Badulla!
2- The new food stand at the Demadora train station. So festive!
3- A cute dog watching us eat our treats at the food stand.
4-5 - There are shelves with books to borrow at the train stations! We first noticed it at Demadora.
6- Our fruit cups, made with such pride, in Badulla
7-The lotus flower vendor showed me how to open the lotus flowers. When you buy them, they are closed. Who knew?!
8- Me, showing off my lotus flowers at the entrance to the temple. 9- This is my only picture inside the temple. No pictures allowed.
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