
Sri Lanka Travel Guide
Sri Lanka is a paradise Island shaped like a tear drop in the Indian Ocean, formerly known as Ceylon and famous for its wonderful Tea, it is a vibrant country with an incredible history. Sri Lanka is one of those places where history seems to fade into the mist of legend. The island has an abundance of natural resources, fauna and flora, mountains, rivers and beautiful beaches. The city has been on focus of the world’s attention since the tsunami hit the shores on December 26, 2004.
Colombo is the capital city and the commercial center of Sri Lanka filled with shopping centers and all modern facilities. The city has an eclectic blend of old and new, traditional and modern, Eastern and Western, Colombo is the islands largest city it is noisy, frenetic and just a little crazy. Colombo the capital city bustles with activities with open spaces, 19 th century buildings and spectacular sunsets every evening. It is built on the edge of the Indian Ocean offering the Fort district, the country’s business center, clock tower, a former lighthouse, the President’s residence and a cluster of colonial buildings of the bygone Empire.
Sri Lanka is a land of astonishing diversity and no major destination is more than a few hour’s drive. The attractions of the city is divided in three basic categories the coast, the hill cities and the ancient cities. Kandy the cultural capital in the island’s center is home to Sri Lanka’s most important Buddhist temple, the temple of Tooth, and the annual Perahera festival, a world famous spectacle drawing visitors around the globe. In the south is the Galle Face Green a sea front expanse with elegant mansions, tree line streets and the city’s largest park. National Museum, Zoo, art galleries and Mosques are all worth a visit.
Anuradhapura one of the important ancient city of Sri Lanka and also Sri Lanka’s first capital is a potent symbol of Sinhalese power. The southern coastline in the island is littered with long stretches of deserted golden beaches. Soft golden sands, glistening deep turquoise waters at refreshingly comfortable temperatures, banana and coconut trees swaying in the backdrop breeze and little wooden ocean side huts are also available for rent. To the north of Colombo lies Negombo a busting fishing town with golden beaches and a pallet of colour provided by sails and boats against the deep blue of the ocean. Some of the other attractions in the city are the Unawatuna a sleepy peaceful cove with deep still water and a temple overlooking the bay from the protecting cliffs, the Hikkaduwa a long stretch beach with plenty of hostels, restaurants and some nice bars, the Mirissa the most beautiful beach in the world and the Arugam Bay this is a tiny fishing village in Sri Lanka, the newest hot spot and hosts the best surfing and an easy going happy party atmosphere.
Shopping in the city is fantastic with gems and precious stones are Sri Lanka’s most celebrated products. There are also some exotic and interesting items for sale including ceramics, brassware, caneware, leather products and batiks. Foods are spicy and there are many vegetables, fruits, meats and seafoods. Chinese, continental, Indian and Japanese menus are available in Colombo. A speciality is basic curry made with coconut milk, sliced onion, green chilli, aromatic spices such as cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon and saffron and aromatic leaves. Tea is the national drink and thought to be amongst the best in the world. Nightlife in the city have supper clubs with music for dancing, there are theaters in Colombo, cinemas showing films from the USA, ballet, concerts and theater productions. For accommodation various hotels packages in Sri Lanka offer the best of the facilities. The well furnished rooms make excellent place to stay in the city with most of the comforts at your feet ranging from the luxury and budget hotels in the city.