Sri Lanka.Full Moon Holiday (Poya Day) and the Bike Ride

Sri Lankans mostly — persistent Buddhists. About 75% of the population profess Theravada (teaching elders) — with the most ancient canons and numerous branches of Buddhism. Of course, that Sri Lankan Buddhists have their religious holidays. And since, according to the local Constitution Theravada holds dominant position, the days of holidays are automatically weekend. The joy of the holidays Theravada gladly share and representatives of other religions — Hinduism, Islam and Christianity, who also live on the island.

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The reasons for joy on the island there are many. In Sri Lankans, who are already not strain yourself tiring work, in addition to traditional weekend Saturday and Sunday decided to celebrate the full moon days (Poya Day). It is 12-13 additional output for the year. Of course, Sri Lanka, like any other country, has several of its major national holidays in which to work and not patriotic. If a holiday falls on a weekend, among workweek released one additional day off — is likely to prepare the body for the celebration.

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Let us return to the days of the full moon, when the work can not walk. These days also prohibited to buy or sell alcohol. But it seems that the apologists and the founders of this festival during the legalization of canonical rules still provided an exception for restaurants where tourists alcohol permitted release, but slowly.

Ocean and its fauna during the full moon resting too:

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While meditating fishing and visiting temples, big waves slowly wash the beach.

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On the beach, opposite the hotel, set red flags that warn of the dangers of swimming in such stormy weather:

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If you want to swim, no one particular test will be, but not the fact that in case the local rescuers rush to the rescue.

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The day was, to put it mildly, not a beach, so we pochymchykuvaly in search of more interesting classes and the result was a bit surprising. We are aware that Sri Lanka developed cycling — this shows frenzied popularity every kind of bicycle. But velomarafon became a real surprise for us.

At the Tour de Lanka is in earnest — a column of cyclists in front of the police are:

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They were riding machine with officials and representatives of business elite:

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Bikes — the process is generally slow. To warm up a bit, drivers sometimes go smoke:

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A little further — support group for mopeds and motorcycles:

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Approaching few peloton:

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And for him — a control group of noisy fans:

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The traditional bicycle race is the result of long traffic jams. Cycling is very ordinary streets that do not overlap.

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But it does not matter, always keep the police.

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All Food burden falls on the shoulders of friends and fans — and the way they feed pidpoyuyut suffering cyclists:

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Some even extend a helping hand, literally. While officials and other participants can not see:

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