One day in Kandy – view, lake, tea, gems.

With only one day to see Kandy, I turned to the blogging world to guide me in what would be best to see and do. It seems it is a favourite amongst many travellers, the majority suggesting the Botanical Gardens and the Tooth Temple.

The designated 24 hours in Kandy went down a slightly different path to the one cut before.
Here is what one day in Kandy, offered up with a bit of insight into the culture:

Night view from Bahirawa Kanda.

Wind up the narrow roads that lead to the Bahirawa Kanda Temple. This the beginning of the adventure. Try it in a tuktuk for that roller coaster feel. We were sans skirts or appropriate shirts to enter the Temple, therefore not our final destination.

This Buddha statue appears to hover above the city when viewed from the lakeside and is enormous close up.

Alight from said vehicle, take a slight left, down a contour dirt track and you will be rewarded. The lights of the city reach up to greet an evening sky washed with a deep blue.

We visited on new years eve and the sound of Tom thumb crackers accompanied the view. Apparently these noisy crackers are a local tradition between Christmas and new year. To round off the experience, the air was gently scented with smoke coming from the temple.

Walk around the Lake.

A day in Kandy starts with hearing the chanting from the temple speakers. The mist over the lake blankets Kandy in newness.

A brisk stroll around the Lake will reveal some local customs. Old gents in sarongs staring out over the water from under a leafy tree. Hawkers selling flowers and spicy mango outside the temple. Families gathered for walks or celebrations post receiving blessings in the Tooth Temple. Children playing cricket in the parks hugging the lake.

The Lake is alive with human activity but nature does not take second place. The bird life is remarkably rich for a city. Floating islands of flower beds and terrapins popping up for air, break the mirror effect of the calm waters. The occasional iguana also comes out to warm up in the sun.

All around is busy, yet the lake brings a calm.

Visit Queens Hotel.

Just when it gets too hot, the Queens Hotel offers a respite from the heat. The bar is open plan and in close proximity to the pool. Perfect for a cup of tea or in my case, my first taste of Arack. Made from coconut, the best way to describe the taste is a fruity whiskey.

Inside the hotel it feels like having stepped back in time. A place where ladies and Lords passed their time in intense boredom and occasional scandal.

Sadly the prices of the shops inside are not stuck in an era gone by.

Gem collecting.

My favourite part of the day was finding the Gem and Mineral Museum. Having a genuine gemmologist guide you through the inner workings of the earth’s crust and the geometry of crystal formation was a treat.

He taught us to look for a cats eye effect in the moonstone and introduced us to the difference between gems from Sri Lanka and those from South Africa. Most precious gems here are transparent.

Best of all, no scamming. Just hand picked genuine gems to choose from and purchase for later enjoyment.

If you would like to have a similar experience, contact Mr P. Kadigamuwa. He is experienced and passionate about his stones.
gem_mineral@sltnet.lk or +94812389899