Sri Lanka Day 4 - The Last Day

This last day in Sri Lanka was a bit anti-climactic, not to ruin the excitement of a new post.  It was about a four hour drive back to the airport in Columbo, and having seen a lot of temples in the last four days, we tried to get up the energy to stop at one last World Heritage site along the way.

Dambulla Cave Temple

It was pouring rain when we arrived that morning, and no one was happy about it, including the stray dogs waiting patiently outside hoping for a handout.

This is what Hershey will look like when he grows up (see yesterday for the puppy version).

The complex itself dates back to the first century BC, and consists of a few caves chock full of Buddhist statues and paintings.

  It was terrible taking pictures in the dark caves, but I tried.

I actually really liked the decoration on the walls behind the statues more than the statues themselves.  I keep getting the buddhas and the kings mixed up, and it's not like I was carrying a notebook to remember what arm gesture or crown or ear lobe length meant what.  So look at the pretty paintings - they've been painted and re-painted for centuries.

The nipples were a little distracting.

And what is this yellow guy holding, dental instruments or a manicure set?

 Okay, if you are a little Buddha-ed and temple-ed out, so were we by this time.  Goodbye, Sri Lanka, we were tired but glad to get to know you!  Thirty eight hours of travel were ahead of us to get back to the US of A...

David took one last parting shot right before arriving back in Columbo.  Only funny to a scientist I think.

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Up next?  Spain!  I'm hoping it won't take another year to get the next one posted... : )