Getting to Dambulla
The journey to Dambulla was a long but scenic one. Starting in the misty hills of Ella, I took a bus to Bandarawela, where I hopped on a train to Kandy. From there, I boarded a 72km bus to finally reach my destination.
Upon arrival, I checked into the Oasis Guesthouse (800 Rupees/night), a charming and welcoming hostel with a great atmosphere. The friendly staff provided me with plenty of information about onward travel and the community area was perfect for meeting other travelers.
Dambulla Cave Temple
The highlight of my stay in Dambulla was visiting the Dambulla Cave Temple. However, I was disappointed to find that there was a separate “foreigner price” for admission. I decided to take a stand and refused to pay it. Instead, I explored the area outside the temple and was captivated by the statues of a long procession of monks holding their alms bowls. I spent the evening wandering along a hard-packed dirt path around the surrounding lake, taking in the beautiful sunset.
