WELCOME TO SRI LANKA: Sri Lanka is Magnificent and Resplendent

2011-02-13T00:50:00.000-08:00

WELCOME TO SRI LANKA: Sri Lanka is Magnificent and Resplendent: "In the mother native of this island, Sri Lanka means “Resplendent Land”. Sri Lanka is a Multinational (Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims, Burghe..."

Sri Lanka is Magnificent and Resplendent

2010-12-20T03:41:00.000-08:00

In the mother native of this island, Sri Lanka means “Resplendent Land”.

Sri Lanka is a Multinational (Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims, Burghers and Malays) Country which is very free to live for every people after a 30 years civil war with LTTE. And also it is a Multi-religion Country what can be said that there are Buddhist, Christian & Roman Catholic, Hindu and Muslim etc.

Sri Lanka, an island nation about the size of 1900KM² with a population of 19 million, is recovering and working to restore its important tourism industry.

Sri Lanka is the 53rd most populated nation in the world, with an annual population growth rate of 0.79%. Sri Lanka has a birth rate of 15.63 births per 1,000 people and a death rate of 6.49 deaths per 1,000 people. Population density is highest in western Sri Lanka, especially in and around the capital. There is a small population on the island of the Vedda people. They are believed to be the original indigenous group to inhabit the island. The Sinhalese people form the largest ethnic group in the nation, composing approximately 81.9% of the total population.

Tamils are concentrated in the North, East, Central and Western provinces of the country. Sri Lankan Tamils are the second major ethnic group on the island and have called it home for generations. Indian Tamils who were brought as indentured labourers from India by British colonists to work on estate plantations, nearly 50% of whom were repatriated following independence in 1948, are called "Indian Origin" Tamils. They are distinguished from the native Tamil population that has resided in Sri Lanka since ancient times.

According to 2001 census data Indian Tamils makeup 5.1% of the Sri Lankan population and, Sri Lankan Tamils 4.3% but this figure only accounted for Sri Lankan Tamils in government-controlled areas, not accounting for those in rebel-held territories. The World Factbook states that Sri Lankan Tamils make up 14% of the population. There is a significant population (8.0%) of Moors, who trace their lineage to Arab traders and immigrants from the Middle East. Their presence is concentrated in the cities and the central and eastern provinces. There are also small ethnic groups such as the Burghers (of mixed European descent) and Malays from Southeast Asia.

Getting there.

From JFK Airport in New York City direct to Colombo, You can leave New York at 11:30 p.m. on Emirates Airlines and arrive in Colombo at 9:30 a.m., 24 hours total travel time, with an aircraft change in Dubai. Alternatives include flying to Bangkok or Singapore, staying there a day or two then heading to Colombo. Or, stop in Europe: Try Zurich, London or Amsterdam then head on to Colombo.

With skillful searching and a creative itinerary, you can find a bargain airfare on a good airline for less than $2,000, even from the Midwest.

Accommodations

Plan a few days in Colombo on arrival. It is a friendly city with nice hotels such as The Holiday Inn, The Taj Samudra, The Cinnamon Lake, The Cinnamon Residence, The Cinnamon Grand, The Galadari, The Hilton. And the restaurants are great.

The Holiday Inn offers first-class rooms and service and has a delightful pool, exercise room and spa. Doubles start at $59.50. Across from the Holiday Inn, on 12 acres of fenced grounds, is the Taj Samudra, which has rooms starting at $70. A bit north of these is the Galadari, a modern hotel with a variety of fine dining options and rooms from $85; and the Continental Hotel, which also has excellent food and rooms from $90.

All offer ocean views and are adjacent to the famous Galle Face Green, a gathering spot for Sri Lankans to watch the sunset, fly kites, listen to music and splash in the waves. It is a must see, but resist the temptation to sample food from street vendors.

Eating and drinking

Travelers should drink only bottled water and avoid uncooked food that might have been washed in tap water. But the major Colombo hotels offer delectable, safe food and remarkable low prices. A good dinner for two with tax and tip costs $14 at several five stars venues.

Even the pricey and superb buffet in the Galadari was just $22. Alcoholic beverages are moderately priced.

Or try the Veranda of the Galle Face Hotel, a historic 1864 hotel at the south end of the green. Dine next to the Indian Ocean for less than $20. Unfortunately, the guest rooms here have grown tired.

And also you are advised to taste Sri Lankan Traditional Foods such as Hoppers, Egg Hoppers, Koththu, String Hoppers, Spicy Milk Rice & Other Sweet (Kavili) since they are very delicious

Getting around

Have someone at your hotel meet to you at the airport? A car to the city is about $15; someone will be standing with your name on a signboard as you leave customs. There are also transportation desks for hotels in the airport; use them and avoid others who offer taxi service.

You can change money at the airport, as there are also ATM machines there and throughout the country. The exchange rate hovers at about 100 rupees for a dollar, making mental conversation simple. One rupee is a penny.

Once settled in your hotel you can opt for a taxi service arranged by the hotel or you can use the ubiquitous tuk-tuk, a three-wheeled-covered motorbike that can carry three passengers.

Here are the tuk-tuk rules of engagement: Always ask the price before you get in. On a recent visit, (Mr. William Recktenwals found most short rides were only 100 rupees, also found a nice man who had been driving for 20 years and, Mr. William Recktenwals employed him regularly. The Driver would drive him to shop, wait for an hour and return to the hotel for 250 rupees (2.5 dollar). He was also a careful driver.

For long journeys you can hire a car and driver. Sound expensive…? Not really….

Check with a travel agent or the travel desk at your hotel. Rates vary, but you have to pay as an average $35 per day, for five- and six-day periods, and the driver stays with you. More precisely the driver takes you to your hotel and asks when he needs to pick you up again. Many hotels have driver quarters.

Mr. William Recktenwals (A foreign visitor) said that he has used a taxi service in Colombo with the same driver who is Bernard; He speaks some English, does not scare me with his driving and is very useful in suggesting restaurants and finding points of interest. I tip him about $10 per day at the end of the trip.

There is also train service in Sri Lanka. Trains are old and often crowded but are inexpensive. Get a first-class reservation, if it is available.

When you have rested a day or two in Colombo, you will be ready to travel.

You may want to have reservations before you leave. The travel desk of the hotel can handle these, or you can just go.

"This it is a small country. You can go from beach to the hill country in three hours.

We have nice golf courses and in a 14-day visit you can see almost everything. Where else can you go from seeing the blue whales to watching wild elephants in just 30 minutes time?"

Don't miss

Head inland toward Kandy, about a three-hour drive into the pleasantly cool hill country.

Your driver will suggest a stop at the elephant orphanage; it is worth the visit.

Kandy, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is built around a picturesque lake and home to the Dalada Maligawa, the Temple of the Tooth, one of the most sacred places to Buddhists. Remember to dress conservatively and be prepared to remove your shoes when entering.

The National Botanical Gardens, 4 miles away in Peradeniya, is a 150-acre plot flourishing with more than 5,000 plant species. It is easy to spend an entire day. Be sure to visit the orchid house and spice garden.

Next head north and stop at four more UNESCO sites.

The Golden Temple of Dambulla and the ancient city of Sigiriya are first. The five cave sanctuaries of Dambulla have been a sacred pilgrimage site for 22 centuries and is the best-preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka.

You must climb several hundred steps to reach the caves.

A few miles away, the ruins of the capital Sigiriya, built by King Kasshapa you in the fifth century, are perched atop a 1000-foot-high rock that dominates the countryside. A series of staircases provide access.

It is a challenging climb but worth the effort. Take water and plan for several hours to visit.

Polonnaruwa, the second capital of Sri Lanka, is also nearby. The walled city contains the ruins of the Royal Palace built 700 years ago and the Vatadage Temple. The Lankatilaka Image House, a 55-foot-high cathedral-like structure, and the four Buddha statues in the rock shrine of Gal Vihara are not to be missed.

About 60 miles to the northwest is the sacred city of Anuradhapura, established in 3rd century B.C. by Sanghamitta, the founder of an order of Buddhist nuns. The city flourished for 13 centuries before it was abandoned after an invasion of Tamils. It was overgrown by jungle until the 19th century, when the British began to excavate.

It is now an amazing place to visit, offering monuments, palaces and monasteries being accessible.

Heading south from the cultural triangle toward Nuwara Eliya, the scenic diversity is unique. How many shades of green are there anyway? See the rice fields, rubber tree plantations and small villages, where it appears that everyone saves everything.

Bamboo forests and mangrove thickets, waterfalls - small and large - make for a fascinating drive. People watching is also great. The children walking home from school are clad in white shirts and white trousers or skirts.

The girls, not the boys, wear neckties. While Volley Ball is the National Game in Sri Lanka, Cricket is the most famous sport and games are everywhere.

Sri Lankan people are very friendly and very hospitable, the most beautiful thing here are the people. They are friendly. If you need help or directions you can end up with a crowd willing to help you.

Be sure to stop at at least one tea plantation and get a free tour of the factory. Before the tour, have a cup of tea and a pastry while relaxing on the patio.

Near Nuwara Eliya, there are fine hotels operated by the Ceylon Hotel Corporation, and a room at a guesthouse on a hillside. When you take a guesthouse, it may have a fabulous view and only few guest rooms.

Breakfast and dinner was included and was served family style in the dining room of the home. The owner may suggest a hike that took you to a small cave temple and a very interesting waterfall. The tab? Only $44.

Words and photographs can't describe the drive from Nuwara Eliya to the beaches south of Galle.

You leave a flat area called Horton Place toward Worlds End then come to a sheer 3000-foot drop that affords a view unmatched and difficult to photograph. It's one of those places best recalled in your mind's eye.

You shoud have also to visit the Adam's Peak, it is really interesting, a path to the summit with 9,600 steps awaits. There will be a very nice sunset at the Adam’s Peak in the early morning which is called “Ira Sevaya” in Sinhalese.

The Sinharaja Forest Reserve is Sri Lanka's last rain forest. A hike through the forest takes about three hours, and waterproof clothing is a necessity. Daylong jeep excursions that include a guide start from Ratnapura, which is also the gem capital of the Island.

On to the beach

Sri Lanka is very popular for beautiful beaches. Since this is an Island of the Indian ocean there are many beautiful beaches around the country such as very famouse Hikkaduwa, Nilaweli, Benthota, Mount Lavenia, Arugambe, Galle Face etc which you must have a nice rest with nince sunse together with blue water & white sands.

Shopping

Many flights departing Sri Lanka leave in the wee hours of the morning, and it is best to stay your final night in Colombo and do some shopping.

Be sure to visit Odell, Majestic City, Liberty Plaza, Unity Plaza, Cresscat, House of Fashion in Colombo & Kandy City Center in Kandy. The price of name-brand clothing will have you wondering if they might be knock offs rather than the real thing. They're real, and a careful shopper can find things at a fraction of what they cost in the states.

Leaving

At the Colombo airport hire a porter to take care of your luggage. His sign will say 30 rupees per bag. Pay him 100 per bag, and, trust me, he will save you lots of time.

If your airline ticket does not include the exit tax, remember that it must be paid in Sri Lankan currency. It is 1500 rupees ($15).

While Sri Lanka might not be the travel destination for everyone, it is a unique, interesting and beautiful place, truly a land like no other.

Thank you very much!
Explore Sri Lanka Team