The Island Country of Srilanka
SriLanka is a beautiful country dotted with sandy beaches, wonderful wild life sanctuaries and beautiful mountain hill stations. The island country is located just at the bottom of India surrounded by the Indian Ocean. With plentiful rain and warm sun, this country is a favorite for tourists to spend their vacation times. With the tourism industry blooming, the locals are friendly and always helpful. Some of the places not to miss on the majestic island are covered below.
Colombo
Being the capital of the country and the place where the main airport is located, Colombo is the main commercial hub as well. Apart from the most trendy malls and cafes, the city also boosts well preserved colonial buildings and famous museums like National Museum. One of the best revitalized colonial buildings is the Dutch Hospital Complex. It has been refurbished to become a trendy place for night life, cafes, restaurants and bars with the courtyard thriving with cultural activities.
Hikkaduwa
The beach town of Hikkaduwa is one of the most scenic and popular beaches of the Srilankan coastal strip. It is frequented by surfers who make good use of the rising tides in these waters. Hikkaduwa is also home to Turtle nurturing farms particularly those species which were affected by the Boxing Day Tsunami that devastated the city.
Bentota
This little town is a two hour drive away from Colombo. It houses wonderfully designed garden villa better known as “Brief Gardens” which is a haven for landscape enthusiasts. The town also has its own turtle hatchery and sits nearby the garden estate “Lunuganga” of the famous architect Geoffrey Bawa which is a must visit site on any itinerary.
Galle
The colonial town of Galle is known globally for its scenic international cricket stadium. It also houses the architecturally rich Dutch Fort which dates back a to the colonial days of the island. It is now a cultural center and part of the country’s protected heritage. A thriving shopping market is in heart of the coastal city which still lives in the architectural shadow of its historical conquests.
Kandy
The beautiful city of Kandy in the heart of the island country is also a UNESCO world heritage site. Kandy also is home to one of the most sacred of Buddhist temples – “The Tooth Temple” or “Sri Dalada Maligawa”. A visit to Kandy lake is a must along with a trip to the famed Royal Botanical garden. Kandy has one of the best tea gardens in its close proximity. Srilanka being the number one tea producer in the world, a good cup of brew in those gardens is a must have pleasure.
Pinnawala
Pinnawala village is known globally for being the world’s largest herd of captive elephants. It has more than 80 elephants and is run under the Sri Lankan Wildlife department. This is a mecca for elephant lovers from all over the world as they can observe, interact and even feed the elephants here. The sanctuary also cares for injured and disabled elephants as well and promotes breeding of the giant animals in its care.
Sigriya
Sigriya is located in the central part of Srilankan territory, 170 kilometers from the capital city. Sigriya is famous for the Sigriya rock and the fortress which was the palace for King Kasyapa. The rock is a landmark for the area and has majestic views from the top of it. one of the most loved tourist activities in this region include a hike up to the top of this rock. There is also a well stocked museum near the entrance to the citadel. It houses the numerous artifacts from the time of King Kasyapa. The Dambulla Temple is also only thirty minutes drive away and is a Buddhist pilgrimage site. A world renowned resort designed by master architect Geoffrey Bawa is a stone’s throw away from this city. The “Kandalama” sits on a hill overlooking the lake and onto the Sigriya rock.
