Our class trip to Anuradhapura was a fantastic experience. We started at 5.15 in the morning, the teachers organized groups and classes.
The trip started as we filled into our buses, waving goodbye to our parents and finally we were off. It was very interesting to see Kandy in the darkness. Lamp posts were turned on and as we continued the sun rose and we saw more of the city.
We went on and on and on. I suddenly saw a clearing and it was a beautiful paddy field with cows, farmers, huts and close to it was a mountain with statues of priests going up to it. Then finally the teachers told us it was time to eat.
We had our breakfast and then my friend Adeesha said he wanted to sit by the window until we reached the Matale Aluviharaya. Of course, I did not agree with him and after that he got sad and I let him sit by the window. He gave me a jujube for letting him sit there.
Finally, we arrived and found ourselves at the Aluviharaya. First we had a look around in the temple. There were artefacts of Lord Buddha. Then we went to the Balum Geya which is a place to look at the consequences of hell. After that horrifying experience we went up to a high place which had a little stupa in the middle. We could see the golden temple from there and a humongous rock.
After getting down from the rock, we went into a building and inside there was a priest. He showed us how complicated it is to write on a palm leaf and how extremely hard it is to make palm paper. Then we got into our bus and headed to Anuradhapura which was a long way from Matale, but we went on and we were eating our snacks and talking and having fun.
Finally after hours of travelling in the heat we made it to Anuradhapura.
Our first stop was Ruwanweli Maha Saya. It was an extremely large stupa and one of the world’s largest structures made with bricks. At the top of it there was a huge gem and I did not think it was so big at the first glance because it was so high, but then I saw a close up picture of it I could not believe my eyes as to how massive the gem is.
After that we went to the beautiful twin ponds also known as Kuttam Pokuna. It was a very deep pond according to the teacher’s description. Then we went off to have lunch. After lunch we saw the huge moonstone which I admired very much for its size and beauty.
Then, in a hurry to get to school we quickly went around Jetavanaramaya (a huge stupa just like Ruwanweli Maha Saya.) Once again I admired its beauty and size. Then we quickly rushed to our buses and headed home.
When we came to school our parents were waiting for us so I thanked the teacher and went home.
Reshan Odayar (Grade 5E)
