Kataragama

After breakfast we attempted to catch the bus to Matara to change for another bus to Tissimaharama. The bus stopped for a split second while a couple of people hopped on and off then it was gone before we had even picked our packs up! As our journey today continued we began to see this was normal. Old ladies sometimes left at the side of the road and people jumping off while the bus was still moving. It seemed up to the driver if he chose to stop or not. We've since found out its common. It's all about numbers of people and running to some sort of schedule. Anyway, we ended up taking a tuk tuk to Matara as the guy was there and the price was cheap. Once there a friendly young man showed us to our bus ... for a commission we're sure.  We got seats and paid the 55 pence fare and were off quickly.

About two hours into the journey four young monks got on. We were seated right at the front behind the driver and the two people on the opposite side got up immediately, one a woman with a small baby, so the monks could sit down so we followed suit. Whilst we don't mind giving up our seats if they are for monks, elderly or whatever, we thought it a bit off that these four teenage boys would let a woman with a small baby leave her seat for them .... there's a definite hierarchy going on.

About an hour later we arrive at our destination and get a lift to our guest house in a jeep. Everyone here runs safaris so a five minute free lift is time for them to offer their services. We take their number, Fred also had a chat with another guy on the bus so we have two numbers now and a fair idea of price. We are staying at Elephant Camp and are welcomed like family by Jaya and his wife. It's  really nice place and their hospitality and his knowledge of Sri Lanka are amazing. We end up booking our safari with him. Only very slightly more expensive but he's got rave reviews so we're happy.

This evening we head to Kataragama, a holy place where Buddhist, Muslim, Hindu and the indigenous Viddu people come to worship.  The pic is of a strange jazz type band and a woman trance like dancing to them. There was all sorts going on with burning coconut smashing, people walking in funny ways for short periods of time and various ceremonies ... quite something and it goes on every night apparently.