Three Months In Sri Lanka – (Week 9, Part 2) Longest Buddha in South East Asia

Life In An Eco Village – Day 2

Thursday

Galgoda Temple with the longest reclining Buddha statue in South East Asia

Bed Coffee

The temple across the river starts broadcasting pre-recorded chanting at 4.30 in the morning. Howling Hanuman Langurs in the Cashu trees add to the noise pollution. Trains to Galle and beyond thunder past the Andadola station. Sleep becomes impossible. It is light at six and mercifully, steaming black coffee arrives from the kitchen.

First drink of the day. People here call it ‘Bed Tea’

A blue mist rises from the river. A fisherman paddles his canoe lazily towards the prawn nets. A bulbul flies in with a bright red berry in its beak. Orchids sway in the morning breeze.

Madu River at dawn

White-browed Bulbul

Two Bulbul Chicks in nest in cinnamon bush

My Ideal Sri Lankan Breakfast

I love Kola Kanda – a Sri Lankan ‘herb porridge’ made with boiled red rice, gotukola (Centella asiatica) and coconut milk, seasoned with curry leaves, garlic and ginger. People here believe that gotukola has miraculous health benefits and consume copious amounts of it in Kanda and salads. In any case, it is delicious and filling and after half a ripe papaya and black tea afterwards, is the perfect start to the day.

Bandara, the chef at Kadolana serves a great Kola Kanda with chunks of palm sugar

Bandara, the chef at Kadolana serves a cracking Kola Kanda with chunks of palm sugar

Galgoda Temple

Galgoda Temple is only a short drive from Kadolana. 208 ancient stone steps lead you up a rocky outcrop to the 35m reclining Buddha statue, said to be the longest in South East Asia, in the renovated Image House. It was first built of clay and lime over 800 years ago in Sri Lanka’s Dambadeniya Period and was renovated about 200 years ago after treasure hunters vandalised it.