Buddha Tooth Temple in Kandy, Sri Lanka

Students making their way to the temple.

Devotees in the temple.

Devotees on pilgrimage.

Buddha Tooth Temple in Kandy

Though the town of Kandy is unimpressive, my disappointment was more than made up by the star attaction of Kandy - the magnificent Buddha Tooth Temple.

Being there on a weekend was unwise as I had to contend with the thousands of Buddhist Sri Lankans on pilgrimage. The temple is considered sacred so I had to trod about in my bare feet.

Many devotees came clutching flowers and money as donation to the temple. Though packed to the brim, everyone was well-behaved as this is a holy site.

Unlike the Botanic Gardens and Elephant Park which are some distance from Kandy, the Buddha Tooth Temple is right in the town itself by Kandy Lake.

Kandy, Sri Lanka

Kandy Lake

Kandy Lake

Kandy still retains many old colonial buildings. The balcony of this hotel is the best in Kandy.

The bustling town of Kandy.

Kandy turned out to be quite a disappointment. I'd expected it to be cool and filled with tea estates but it was hot and as for the latter, they were far away in the Hill Country.

Kandy town was uninspiring. Kandy Lake was unimpressive unless the presence of hundreds of crows can be considered remarkable.

The crows certainly make their presence felt in more ways than one. If you're unfortunate enough, you could be the recipient when they defecate en mass.

A visitor from Slovakia said,"It was like rain."

With all other birds out muscled and bullied, the crow is the undisputed king of the skies in Sri Lanka.

In many countries crows numbering in their thousands would be cause for alarm but in Sir Lanka they are tolerated.

Maybe my rant against the crows has something to do with my breakfast being snatched away by them! I had left my sandwich unattended for a minute in a coffee shop, and in a flash a crow had converted it to ITS breakfast.