A lot of new impressions on this first day in Sri Lanka. At the moment, it is winter in the Netherlands what makes the high temperature and humidity of Sri Lanka feel very hot. We have to drive on the left side of the road, which is full of suicidal cars and trucks. It is busy here in the area of the capital Colombo. The smells are so different compared with what we are used to. One of the strange smells is caused by people that burn their trash in the gutter. Only 15km to our first hotel should be enough for the first day. On the beach behind the hotel are a lot of childeren (photo) that play what their self made kites.

Although the roads (photo) are made of asphalt, they are more difficult to ride then the roads in Europe. Therefore, the average speed will be less then what we expected. Along the road are many small shops, which sell food and drinks. Not many tourists visit those places, what keeps the prices low.

It starts to become hilly and we have to do a climb of 10km. In the afternoon we reach Dambulla and choose to stay in a hostel that is called Oasis Tourists Welfare Center. It is a nice place (photo) managed by a friendly and interesting man. We both buy a sarong in village because we will need it to enter the Cave Temple tomorrow.

Today we visit the Cave Temple of Dambulla (photo 1, 2).
The caves' history is thought to date back to around the 1st century BC when King Valagam Bahu, driven out of Anaradhapura, took refuge here. When he regained his throne he had the caves converted into a magnificent rock temple. Later kings made further improvements, including King Nissanka Malla who had the temple interior gilded, earning it the name of Ran Giri- the Golden Rock.

Trying to take a short cut, ends in a interesting detour of about 20 km over the dirt roads. On the way to Anuradhapura we visit the statue of Aukane. Unfortunately, it is being renovated what makes it difficult to get a good view. In the afternoon we take a long break and go for a swim in one of the many water basins (lakes).

Today we visit the the ancient city of Anuradhapura (photo 1, 2, 3). 
The ancient city Anuradhapura first became a capital in 380BC under Pandukabhaya, but it was under Devanampiya Tissa (260-210BC) in whose reign Buddhism reached Sri Lanka that it first rose to great importance.

On our way to Sigiriya we visit Mihintale (photo), 20 km outside Anuradhapura. Here Buddhism has arisen in Sri Lanka. Walking a bit further then most people do, will give you get a splendid view over the area around Anuradhapura (photo). 
When we approach Sigiriya in the afternoon, the road becomes smaller and suddenly it ends at an airplane landing strip. We hesitate what to do. Then at a distance, we see an officer waving, indicating that we should cross the strip and continue our route. In Sigiriya we meet a nice boy who asks us to stay in his house. This night we are guests of family Samarakoon Rajapakse (photo 1, 2, 3, 4).
Mihintale is of enormous spiritual significance to the Sinhalese because it is where Buddhism originated in Sri Lanka. In 247 BC King Devanampiya Tissa of Anuradhapura, while deer hunting around the hill at Mihintale, met Mahinda, son of the great Indian Buddhist Emperor Ashoka, and was converted to Buddhism.

In the morning we wash our clothes and bikes in a river nearby. Afterwards we visit the tourist attraction of this town: the Lion Rock and the gardens around it (photo). It is quite impressive to see this old fortress on top of this huge rock. Sitting on the stone throne of the King looking over the rain forest, imagining that we see the enemy approaching on their elephants (photo 1, 2).
Because family Samarakoon Rajapakse doesn't have a bathroom, we go in the evening to the swimming pool of one of the expensive hotels in the village (photo). We ourselves don't feel so dirty but the son of the family (Nalih) insists that we take a bath. The Sri Lanka people are so clean.
The rock fortress of Sigiriya. In 473 AD King Dhatusena of Anuradhapura was overthrown and walled up alive by Kasyapa, his son by a palace consort. Moggallana, son by his true queen, fled to India swearing revenge. Kasyape, fearing an invasion, decided to build an impregnable fortress on the huge rock of Sigiriya.

The road is really bad. Only the non asphalt parts are smooth. The country gets more hilly each kilometer. In the evening we take a bath in the water basin near the town Polonnaruwa.

On the bike we visit the Ancient city. Smaller then the site in Anuradhapura, but better preserved (photo 1, 2, 3, 4, 5). In the evening we take a bath and wash our clothes in the water basin together with the local people (photo). On the other side of the lake we see a group of wild elephants. The locals become slightly nervous because wild elephants can produce quite some damage to small villages. 

The idea was to cycle to Kandy, but because of the rain we stop already in Matale.

Only one continuous climbing road. We walk through Kandy (photo) in the afternoon and go to the swimming pool of the expensive hotel next to our lodge.

In the vicinity of Kandy is a large Botanic garden. Driving on our bike through the Botanic gardens makes this a real rest day (photo 1, 2, 3).

We take a shortcut (not in time) over a hill on dirt roads. In the afternoon we meet an Austrian girl and drink some tea at her farm. Then we still have to climb 20 kilometers steep hill to Nuwara Eliya. It is already late. In the rain and darkness we search for another hour for a cheap hotel that allow us to place our bikes in the room.

Walking around in the town and relaxing in the city park will give us enough energy for the next coming days.

One large descent and one very, very steep 7 km climb.

Cycling from Horton Plain to Belangoda. In the morning we first walk for 2 hours through the National Park of Horton Plain. Then taking another short cut (again not in time), we cycle 30 km on dirt roads through thee-plantations and have the best ride of the holiday. The last 30 kilometers are luckily only descending on a main road.

First a long drive on the descending main road. Then a very nice scenery and quite road over two mountains.

Flat country with many houses and palm plantations along the road.

We go by tuk-tuk to Galle and visit the Dutch ford and Dutch museum. We take a claustrophobic bus back.

A day on the beach, reading, walking and exploring the Coral riff by snorkel.

Just another day of cycling.

Mostly on second roads and only one's on a small road where Tore broke a spoke. After exchanging back wheels we cycle to Avissawella. In the evening we repair the broken spoke in a garage. 

Again just another day.

In the morning we cycle to the Elephant Orphan home. Then back to the hostel to pick up our baggage. And continue on good roads to our starting point, Negombo.

By train we go to Colombo and walk the whole day through the city. By bus we go back to Negombo.

This day we get up really early because our flight leaves at 7:45 in the morning. When we start cycling at 4:00 it is still dark and the roads are so quit. It is a nice experience to drive through the night. It takes less then an hour to reach the airport of Colombo. We fly via Abu Dabi and London (Gulf Air, British Airways) to Amsterdam (20:30).

Overall distance: 1260 km (1388 km, inclusive cycled kilometers on rest days, without gear)
Number of holidays: 28
Number of cycling days: 18
Number of rest and sightseeing days: 9
Total time on the bike: 74:39:56h

Average speed without rest periods: 16.88 km.h^-1 (10.75 km.h^-1,with rest periods)

100Rs ~ 1.5 Euro