Montone I

Montone I Montone Viaggiatore,
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The Rickshaw Run continues, and today’s stops are Yala National Park and Kataragama. First up, Yala—known for its wildli...
16/01/2025

The Rickshaw Run continues, and today’s stops are Yala National Park and Kataragama. First up, Yala—known for its wildlife and stunning landscapes. The tuk-tuk, surprisingly, is behaving well (so far),
Plenty of deer, peacocks, and the elephans, but not a single leopard in sight. Yala National Park has the highest leopard density in the world. Yet, spotting one feels like winning the lottery! Maybe next time.
Afterward, we headed to Kataragama, a sacred town where people from multiple faiths come to pray. The atmosphere is vibrant and deeply spiritual, with pilgrims offering fruits and flowers at the temple












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: we’re about to start the Rickshaw Run in Sri Lanka! Yes, I’m trading my hooves for three tiny wheels and preparing to ...
12/01/2025

: we’re about to start the Rickshaw Run in Sri Lanka! Yes, I’m trading my hooves for three tiny wheels and preparing to drive a tuk-tuk across this stunning island.
There’s no fixed route, no support team—just us, a glorified lawnmower with a roof, and a whole country to explore. The plan? Make it from one coast to the other, through tea plantations, bustling towns, and winding mountain roads. The tuk-tuk is slow, loud, and about as powerful as a determined goat, but that’s the charm.
It’s not about getting there fast; it’s about the adventure, the surprises, and probably a few breakdowns along the way. Wish us luck—Sri Lanka, here we come!

Did you know that tuk-tuks are the backbone of Sri Lanka’s transport system? They’re everywhere—from big cities to tiny villages. And while they look small, they’re surprisingly durable. Let’s see if ours can handle this journey!











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The journey started with a long hike in the middle of the night—yes, a nighttime trek to reach the summit by sunrise. Th...
07/01/2025

The journey started with a long hike in the middle of the night—yes, a nighttime trek to reach the summit by sunrise. The trail is steep, with over 5,000 steps, and lined with tiny stalls selling snacks and tea to keep you going. Along the way, there were so many people resting or even sleeping on the steps, . It’s a pilgrimage site for many religions, so the atmosphere was both chaotic and spiritual.
And what about the sunrise?
It was incredible—layers of misty mountains glowing in the early light. It’s a tough climb, but that view makes every step worth it.

Adam’s Peak is famous for the “Sri Pada,” a sacred footprint believed to belong to Buddha, Adam, Shiva, or St. Thomas, depending on your faith
This unique blend of beliefs is why the mountain has been a pilgrimage site for over 1,000 years.















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The train ride from Kandy to Ella is legendary,. It’s a  journey through lush tea plantations, misty mountains, and litt...
06/01/2025

The train ride from Kandy to Ella is legendary,. It’s a journey through lush tea plantations, misty mountains, and little villages that feel frozen in time. But let me tell you: it was super busy because of the holidays. Here’s a tip—better to book in advance if you want a seat. We didn’t, and I spent most of the ride standing, squeezed between other travelers. Even so, the views made it worth it. Open windows, friendly locals, and the occasional cool breeze—it’s the kind of journey that stays with you. A hard ride, yes, but an unforgettable one.

Curiosity Corner

Did you know this train line was originally built in the 19th century to transport tea from the hill country to Colombo? Today, it’s one of the world’s most scenic train rides. Fun fact: the train moves so slowly at times, you can almost hop on and off (not recommended for clumsy rams like me).















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. As the last royal capital of Sri Lanka, it’s a treasure trove of culture. The highlight? The Temple of the Sacred Toot...
02/01/2025

. As the last royal capital of Sri Lanka, it’s a treasure trove of culture. The highlight? The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, one of the holiest places in Buddhism. It houses a tooth believed to belong to Buddha himself, and the temple complex is both beautiful and deeply spiritual.
Kandy is also home to the serene Kandy Lake, which was created in 1807 by the last king of Sri Lanka. A walk around the lake offers great views and a bit of calm in this bustling city.

Did you know that the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic has its own elephant? His name was Raja, and he carried the relic during processions for over 50 years. After his death, he was so revered that he was preserved and placed in a special museum within the temple grounds.















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Sigiriya, This ancient rock fortress, also known as Lion Rock, is one of the country’s most iconic landmarks. Rising nea...
01/01/2025

Sigiriya, This ancient rock fortress, also known as Lion Rock, is one of the country’s most iconic landmarks. Rising nearly 200 meters, it’s hard to miss,. The fortress was built by King Kashyapa in the 5th century as his royal palace, complete with water gardens, frescoes, and a giant lion-shaped gateway. The climb to the top is steep but worth it At the summit, there are ruins of the palace and stunning panoramic views of the lush Sri Lankan countryside.

Curiosity Corner

The lion’s paws at the entrance were once part of a full lion figure, but only the paws remain today. Even so, they’re massive, standing over 5 meters tall. Imagine what the whole lion must have looked like back in the day!















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This ancient city is like a living museum, full of ruins, temples, and history. It was once the capital of Sri Lanka and...
28/12/2024

This ancient city is like a living museum, full of ruins, temples, and history. It was once the capital of Sri Lanka and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city is famous for its stupas . The Ruwanwelisaya, built in 140 B.C., and still a site of active worship. Another must-see is the Sri Maha Bodhi, a sacred fig tree believed to have grown from a branch of the tree under which Buddha attained enlightenment. It’s over 2,000 years old!

Anuradhapura is home to the world’s oldest known man-made reservoir: the Abhayagiri Tank, built in the 1st century B.C. This massive structure was an engineering marvel of its time and is still used today to irrigate the surrounding farmland. Ancient wisdom at its best!















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Continuing my Sri Lankan adventure, I found myself in Mannar, a small but fascinating island on the northwest coast. Kno...
27/12/2024

Continuing my Sri Lankan adventure, I found myself in Mannar, a small but fascinating island on the northwest coast. Known as the "Land of Baobabs," it’s an unusual blend of history and nature. Baobab trees, originally brought here centuries ago by Arab traders, dot the landscape. They’re massive and quite the sight! The town is also home to Mannar Fort, a colonial relic built by the Portuguese and later occupied by the Dutch and the British. It’s not in the best shape, but it tells a story of Mannar’s strategic importance

The one in the picture is apparently the fattest tree in Asia with a circumference of over 20 meters!

Ah!
I almost forgot about Adam’s Bridge (also known as Ram Setu), a chain of limestone shoals that legend says once connected India and Sri Lanka. It's geographycally interesting but I must say that there is nothing to "see" for real. And getting there it's complicated. Probably skippable.

And yes ,you cannot really call it a day without a stop at a mechanic!

Jaffna, part 2 . Temples and huge monkeys.              đŸ‡±đŸ‡°
25/12/2024

Jaffna, part 2 . Temples and huge monkeys.















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Enough of UAE, It's Sri Lanka time! First stop: Jaffna. This northern city is almost a world apart from the rest of the ...
23/12/2024

Enough of UAE, It's Sri Lanka time!
First stop: Jaffna. This northern city is almost a world apart from the rest of the country ,filled with history, culture, and a unique vibe. Jaffna is known for its ancient temples, colonial architecture, and the famous Jaffna Fort, built by the Portuguese in the 17th century. Wandering through the streets, you’ll notice the blend of Tamil traditions and remnants of its colonial past.

The best thing to do, however, is to take a motorbike and spend some time around the peninsula and the other islands.















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But there is more than the mosque in Abu Dhabi.I couldn’t miss the Presidential Palace, Qasr Al Watan. This isn’t your a...
21/12/2024

But there is more than the mosque in Abu Dhabi.
I couldn’t miss the Presidential Palace, Qasr Al Watan. This isn’t your average palace—it’s a working government building and a cultural landmark.
It's... grand. Lots of gold. Lots of marble. Lots of rooms. You get the picture.
Apparently, it's one of the largest palaces in the world!

Curiosity Corner
The palace’s chandelier in the Great Hall is jaw-dropping—it’s one of the largest in the world, with 350,000 crystals. It weighs about 12 tons and sparkles like nothing I’ve seen before. Talk about shining a light on history and power!

















Almost there , but not there yet.  In the few days that are setting us apart from the rickshaw run, there is still space...
20/12/2024

Almost there , but not there yet. In the few days that are setting us apart from the rickshaw run, there is still space for some entertainment.
For example a couple of days in Abu Dhabi.
Second visit to the , discovering a new viewpoint from... The other side of the road 😅












January 2nd. Can't wait for it.                đŸ‡±đŸ‡°
19/12/2024

January 2nd. Can't wait for it.















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It's coming . Stay tuned                đŸ‡±đŸ‡°
17/12/2024

It's coming . Stay tuned















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This area is famous for its paper factories, which have been a key part of the local economy for centuries. One highligh...
18/07/2024

This area is famous for its paper factories, which have been a key part of the local economy for centuries. One highlight of the trip is the Museo della Carta di Pescia. This museum showcases the history and art of papermaking, offering a fascinating glimpse into an old craft that still has its roots here. The peaceful valleys and historical sites make this a relaxing yet intriguing place to explore.

Curiosity Corner: The tradition of papermaking in this area dates back to the 13th century. The high-quality paper produced here was once sought after all over Europe. Even today, some paper factories in Lucca still use traditional methods to create their products.















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Another Italian weekend, another adventure. This time, I'm exploring the valleys between Lucca and Pistoia. It's a quiet...
16/07/2024

Another Italian weekend, another adventure. This time, I'm exploring the valleys between Lucca and Pistoia. It's a quiet area, full of hidden charm and natural beauty. The rolling hills and lush greenery make it a perfect escape from the busy city life. The valleys are dotted with small villages, each with its own unique character. The air is fresh, the scenery is peaceful, and there's always something new to discover. It's a nice change of pace and a reminder of how diverse and beautiful Italy can be.

Curiosity Corner: Did you know about the Ponte Sospeso delle Ferriere? It's one of the longest suspension bridges in Italy, stretching 227 meters across the Lima River. Built in 1920, it was initially created to help workers cross the river safely. Walking across it offers stunning views of the surrounding valleys, but it’s definitely not for the faint-hearted!















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The most famous inhabitant of Canale. The lazy cat.You can find it pretty much every day on her pillow. Staring at the a...
28/06/2024

The most famous inhabitant of Canale. The lazy cat.
You can find it pretty much every day on her pillow. Staring at the alleys.















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Back on the road in again. North Garda Lake is as beautiful as ever, with its clear waters and stunning surroundings. Wh...
22/06/2024

Back on the road in again. North Garda Lake is as beautiful as ever, with its clear waters and stunning surroundings. What I love most about this area are the hidden places you can find if you take the time to look. Canale di Tenno, a tiny medieval village not far from the lake. The charm of Canale di Tenno lies in its well-preserved stone houses and narrow streets. Walking through it feels like stepping into the past. It's a nice break from the usual tourist spots and offers a different perspective on Italian history and culture.

Curiosity Corner: Canale di Tenno is not just a medieval gem; it’s also famous for hosting an annual festival called Rustico Medioevo. During this festival, the village transforms into a medieval town with traditional costumes, crafts, and food, bringing history to life for visitors.















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