Sri Lanka

I was in Sri Lanka for 3 years and I found the place very welcoming. the only reason one should not travel there is it is a risk as there is civil war going on there. apart from that, the locals are very hospitable and there are all kinds of food, inexpensive clothes etc…

Been here 4 times as both parents are Sri Lankan.

What can I say it’s such a beautiful country with beautiful culture and people. I feel relaxed when I go there because it just feels like home.

My last visit was at the end of 2006, and I have developed a very strong attachment to Sri Lanka since my time spent there. This time I was able to see the gathering of our family, and It was a great feeling since I never get to see them back here in Aus. This time our family were able to come altogether, and it gave me a sense of belonging.

The heat of Colombo, the mosquitoes and getting a cold every trip down to Nuwara Eliya. It was all worth it.

And I know many may visit the country and stay in hotels on their stay, but that’s not something I would recommend. If you’re going to experience the way of life in a country, I don’t see the point of staying in a hotel that basically puts up a wall between where you are staying, unless of course, the conditions are VERY bad for some reason.

Live it up, breathe in Sri Lanka and appreciate every single moment. I love that place so very much.

I spent two weeks in Sri Lanka. This touring company gave my parents and I a small bus and a driver named Sinivee. He drove us from Colombo— where we flew in— All around the southern part of the country. We did all sorts of touristy things like visiting the herb gardens and tea house, the wood carving shops, the Elephant zoo, the public temples and historic castle/fortress all along the way.

While I was there I became dehydrated right around the time we went to see the Elephant zoo so my biggest piece of advice I can give is drink lots of water! And drink it often! I missed out on a day or two of my vacation there because I was dehydrated and sleeping in the back of the bus.

Around the end of our tour of Sri Lanka our driver took us back to his house to meet his wife and daughters. His wife made us dinner and we sat and talked to them for a few hours before we got back on the road.

I can say with all honesty that the people in Sri Lanka have to be some of the happiest people I have ever met.

The best surfing is on the East Coast… Arugam Bay to be precise. It’s a little paradise all on its own.

It’s lush and green. You can see elephants (seeing them in safari is breathtaking), and all sorts of other interesting animals. There’s a fabulous rich cultural history. The people will do anything for you (but some will not be afraid to then demand money). Best way to visit is to get a private driver. I went with Kuoni – expensive but good. I went in late March – had good weather except for a few storms towards the very end of the month. The country was still recovering from the tsunami, (there was a scare when I was there due to another earthquake of simliar magnitude in a similar place but which didn’t cause a tsunami thankfully). This is a country that has so much to offer.

Highlights:

-staying at the Saman Villas hotel (expensive but it’s pure luxury)

-visiting the Temple of the Tooth in Kandy (a cultural experience)

-Nuwara Eliya (unusual and quirky place)