Not what we expected?

Our 3 - 4 hr trek through the Knuckles mountain range turned out to be a 90 minute stroll along a mountain road between terraced paddy fields - hardly worth putting on hiking shoes - let alone full gear, walking poles and 2 litres of water.

Interesting stop to chat with a family who were planting their paddy - whole family involved including eldest daughter who was on leave from college just to help.

Learmed about 'parachute planting' which was much easier - and no bending down required.

Typical lunch in village followed by long drive through the mountains on a busy single track road which took nearly three hours and meant we had a very short visit to the Spice Garden - although there was enough time to get a head, neck and shoulder massage from a trainee ayurvedic masseur to demonstrate the efficacy of their lotions and oils.

The rush continued as we drove to Kandy and a visit to the Temple of the Buddha's Tooth for the scheduled unveiling of the relic.

 Noisy, very busy with tourists, couldn't see anything and felt like we were intruding on the lival people who had come to pray so we left early to find a meal which wasn't curry and rice.

One of our group was up early the next morning and had a much better view of the ceremony