Among the sparkling waves of the Indian Ocean there is a magical tropical island of Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka is an ancient nation which was found approximately in IV century b.c. and still treasures up its identity and traditions. Amazing flora and fauna of the island, which has largely retained its integrity never ceases to attract the attention of millions. Thousands of tourists come here every year to meet the wonderful world of Sri Lanka, to know its culture, history and the lifestyle of locals, to enjoy the tropical climate and to swim in the Cristal waters of the Indian Ocean.
Moving around the island, you can easily meet wild animals: majestic elephants, beautiful peacocks, nimble monkeys, fantastic leopards, stately deers, monitor lizards and even crocodiles!
The coastal waters of Sri Lanka are also very rich of ocean inhabitants: thousands of varieties of amazing fish, sea turtles, dolphins and, of course, enormous whales. Sri Lanka is an ideal place for snorkeling and sea excursions.
Our trip had started in the early morning. We landed on Sri Lanka around 5 a.m., it was still dark outside. We have not meet any difficulty to pass the passport control and get a visa. You have just fill in a couple of documents and pay a fee.
It is possible to exchange the currency right at the airport. There are some currency exchanging offices right after you exit the gates. The currencies are the same in each of them, and it is also quite honest in comparison with other money exchanging offices in touristic centers.
Also you can book a taxi at the airport. But as opposed to the money changing offices if you want to get a better price you have to negotiate. As in every other country the prices for taxi services at the airport of Sri Lanka are much higher. So if you are not ready to negotiate you have to take care about taxi services before you come to the island and ask your hotel or the tour guide to organize the transfer for you.
Appropriate negotiations are allowed but please do not underestimate the work of another people!
Also at the airport you can get a sim-card with internet access.
After all the above-mentioned procedures we seat in a very comfortable taxi and started our trip around Sri Lanka! I would like to note, that all the taxi we had ever got on Sri Lanka were super comfortable and clean!
We were supposed to spend the first night in Sigiriya, but before that, we wanted to visit other attractions along the way. We were told that the way to Sigiriya would take us around 8 hours. In the begging we were very surprised as the distance from the airport to the Lion Rock is only 144 kilometers. And the reason is not the bad roads as somebody can think (the Sri Lanka’s roads can compete with the roads of any other non-island countries). The point is, the average speed on the island’s roads is around 60 km/h. Furthermore, your taxi driver is not only the person who brings you from point A to point B, but a real tourist guide who knows a lot about the island! He will suggest you what places you have to visit and when, to avoid the queue, will offer you to stop and see different museums, temples, spice gardens, natural reserves and secret places. He will find the best price souvenir shop for you and will bring you to the restaurant if you will get hungry and will wait for all the necessary time. After such an amazing journey, some taxi drivers become your friends! And it is really cool!
Our first stop on the way to the Lion Rock was Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage. This natural reserve was founded in 1975 by Department of Wildlife Concervation (DWC) to save wild baby elephants which remained orphans. Gradually, other elephants who had beed suffered at the hands of poachers began to arrive here. At the moment 3 generation of elephants are living in this natural reserve, what deservedly gives this place the title of the largest nursery of Asian elephants in the world.
Pinnawala Orphanage area is large enough to allow the elephants feel comfortable and lead a healthy lifestyle and give curious tourists the opportunity to get to know these beautiful animals better. The excursion programs for visitors are organizes in a such way to respect the elephants life schedule. Here you can see feeding and bathing of good giants, you could also get an opportunity to feed an elephant from your hands under the supervision of the natural reserve workers. The excursion program lasts for 3 hours approximately. It is better to visit Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage in the morning. If you come to Pinnawala in the evening you could stay for a night in one of the hotels nearby the natural reserve or at guest houses. In our case we continued our trip.
In fact, there are a lot of elephant farms on the island. Some locals trying to earn money using elephants as an attraction for tourists. Normally, elephants are not kept in proper for them conditions at such farms and do not live a happy life… There you could also see someone riding elephants – please respect these gorgeous animals and do not tolerate blasphemy against them. Do not visit unlicensed elephant farms!
On the way we made another couple of stops, one was for visiting a Spicy Garden. After a 13 hour flight we were very tired that is why after out visit to Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage we went towards the Lion Rock.
We arrived to Sigirya at sunset. We stayed in house of one local family. They provided us with a very nice big and comfortable room with its own bathroom and entrance by 11 euros only! Father, mother and their son met us very warmly. They were very kind, hospitable and available people. The family told us a lot about the life on the island, about the climate and which historical sites is better to visit and how to get there. It turned out that the family owns a local food restaurant. The father of the family was so polite and invited us to dine in his restaurant. And after a superb dinner, he took us back home. In the morning we were served an abundant European breakfast, which was very unexpected, for 11 euros per night!
I would like to note that the people of Sri Lanka are very kind and hospitable and always ready to help. They are very smiling and would make everything to make you feel welcomed in their home!
After breakfast we parted to the Lion Rock. We decided to go on foot despite we were warned that we could meet wild animals. The walk to the Lion Rock did not take more than 20 minutes.
Sigiriya (from Sinhalese – Lion Rock) is a huge rocky plateau which is rising in the middle of the plain, it is one of the most famous historical attractions of the island of Ceylon. There is no mountain like Sigiriya in the whole world, so it is unofficially considered the eighth wonder of the world and it is protected by UNESCO.
The Lion Rock got its name from the huge lion sculpture which served as a gateway to the ancient fortress-town which was located on the top of the rock. Nowadays from the sculpture left only lion’s paws which still amaze with its greatness.
According to the ascent Sri Lankan chronicle the Culavamsa, in the 3rd century Buddhist monks lived here, and then, in the 5th century the parricide king Kashyapa fled here. Having built the city as a fortress at an altitude of 183 meters, he wanted to protect himself from everyone who wanted to take revenge on him, and for 18 years he never went down. Now only ruins remain from the fortress town, but its majesty attracts tourists from all over the world to ascent on the top of the high rock.
Sincerely, the way to the top of Sigiriya is not so difficult. There were built a plenty easy-to-climb and safe ladder so we reached the ancient town quickly enough.
The path up to the fortress is made in such way that going upstairs you can see the most ancient frescoes depicting heavenly maidens. In the past the paintings would have covered an area 140 meters long and 40 meters high. Even if the big part of the frescoes has been lost, no doubt, you will be impressed by their beauty. Just think how amazing it is that you can see so close the centuries-old masterpieces in their purest form!!
Reaching the top you feel inspired. There is not any doubt that the Sigiriya is a specific place of power, which shares its energy through the centuries.
Unfortunately, from the fortress only ruins have remained to our days. Despite that the majesty of the former town impresses so much! There was a throne room and a bedchamber and even a swimming pool, which still contains water! The view from the rock top is breathtaking! From here you could see the entire island and endless jungles! Just incredible!
There is a enormous park at the foot of the mountain. Centuries ago there were built settlements and beautiful gardens with fountains. But over the centuries these place was abandoned by people. Nevertheless, every pebble there stores its history. It is very interesting to walk around the former gardens and read what is written on the informative tables. It is so magical place – Sigiriya!
There is another mountain in front of the Lion Rock – Pidurangala Cave Temple. This place is famous because there were resettled the monks from Sigiriya when Kashyapa decided to built the fortress town. Pidurangala rock is not so popular among the tourists, so less visited. The way on the top of the mountain lies through the picturesque places. Do not forget to put comfortable shoes before you decide to take a walk between the jungles! I mean sneakers, not slippers 😉
There is a small Buddhists temple on the territory of the park, which is open for everyone. Keep in mind, before visiting any Buddhist temple you must take off your shoes, cover your knees and shoulders! Please respect culture and traditions of the country you are visiting!
Ascent the mountains is better in the morning. It is getting dark pretty early, at 6 p.m. So when you plan your trip take it in consideration as there is no lights in the forest 🙂
Just 55 kilometers away from Sigiriya is situated a former capital of Sri Lanka Polonnaruwa. This ancient town was the second capital of the country after Anuradhapura. The archeological park of Polonnaruwa also make a part of the Unesco World Heritage and impresses by a variety of well-preserved constructions.
The ruins of the ancient capital have survived to the present days and as much beautiful and unique as Sigiriya. The territory of the archeological park is quite large. To explore the entire ancient city, it is better to stay in Polonnaruwa for a couple of days. To move around the territory it would be useful to rent bikes. If you wish you can use the guides services. You can spent a night in the New Town. There are a lot of hotels and guest houses and places where you can have a dinner.
As much as we would like to visit the north of the island and the first former capital of Sri Lanka – Anuradhapura, we had to move towards the ocean.
Our next stop was on of the World’s important Buddhist Temple – Dambulla. It is a very special place which keeps spiritual and very magical energy. For already 22 centuries this temple remains one of the most sacred and essential Buddhist pilgrimage site. The Dambulla Temple is situated at a height of 350 meters so you have to ascent the stairs road. It is not difficult climbing the stairs and on the way you can meet local merchants selling souvenirs and capes made from natural fabric and also curious funny monkeys.
On the top before to enter on the territory of the temple you have to take way your shoes (and as I noted before cover your shoulders and knees if they are open). You can leave your shoes in special shoe racks for a symbolic price. To visit the Temple tourists have to pay an entrance fee.
The Dambulla temple is interesting because it is carved into the rock and consists of several caves, which contains 153 Buddha statues. This is the largest collection of the oldest Buddhist statues dating back to 2 thousand years. The temple is also called Golden Temple because 73 statues were covered with gold during the reign of Nissankamalla. All the walls of the caves are covered with frescoes, the total area of which is more than 2 thousand sq/m. We remained very impressed by this sacred place!
I would like to step back and tell some the rules you have to follow visiting Buddhist temples.
1. Before entering the temple, you must take off your shoes, cover your shoulders and knees in case they are nude. Clothes should not be transparent;
2. In no case should you sit on a touch a Buddha statue;
3. You can take pictures of Buddha statues, but in no case you should be photographed against their background!
4. It is undesirable to photograph worshipers and monks without their permission.
Please respect the culture and traditions of the country which you welcomed!
After visiting Golden Dambulla Temple we went to Kandy. Kandy is a large and very lively city, one of the former capitals of the island and the second largest city in the country. A real Sri Lankan metropolis. Everything fits together perfectly here – both the calm island life and the spirit of the big city.
Kandy is an ancient mountainous city with a rich history and it is full of monuments of Sri Lankan culture and architecture.
The most important attraction of the city is Sri Dalada Maligawa or the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic. Buddhist from all over the world come here, and long queues of tourists gather at the entrance of the Temple. And all because Sri Dalada Maligawa houses a very sacred relic – the tooth of the Buddha. You can see a lot of religious who are performing their prayer ritual here. You feel nice and inspired.
From ancient times it is believed that whoever holds the relic holds the governance of the country. That is why the beautiful territory of the Temple make part of the territory of the Old Kandy Royal Palace.
Apart the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic there are many other important structures on the territory of the Royal Palace: Magul Maduwa / Audience Hall, Sri Dalada Museum, Ulpange /Royal Bathhouse, International Buddhist Museum, Hindu temples – four Devalayas (Maha Vishnu, Natha, Paththini, Khaali Amma Devalaya), where we received the blessing of a Buddhist monk…
The Temple of the Tooth Relic is located on the shore of the amazing artificial Bogambara Lake/Kiri Muhuda
You can talk about Kandy and its attractions for a very long time, but it is best to visit this city and feel its atmosphere. Therefore, if you are planning your trip to Sri Lanka, do not exclude this city from your itinerary.
After couple of days in Kandy, we took a taxi and headed to Nuwara Eliya. Our way laid through very picturesque landscapes. We stopped at some view points from where we had a pleasure to enjoy incredible panoramic view of the islands, its forests, waterfall, tea valleys. Our taxi driver shown us a secret waterfall, the path for which knew only the locals.
But the most impressive moment of our trip from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya was the stop between the tea plantations.
For many centuries and still now days Sri Lanka was considered as the World capital of the highest quality tea. In fact, you still can hear somebody calls Sri Lanka the island of Ceylon – Ceylon tea is the symbol of quality.
The tea plantations cover a major part of the mountain valleys of the central part of the island. The most important tea magnates are producing their tea here. But there also a lot of small factories offering a wide selection of different types of tea.
You can visit one of these factories and see how the tea is risen and collected, what kind of tea are growing on Sri Lanka. You could see how the tea is produced and many other things. After the excursion you will be offered to participate in a tea degustation and try different sorts of tea to understand their difference.
The experience of visiting tea fabrics is really unique and very interesting! From then I always pay a lot of attention to the tea I’m going to buy and never shop it in supermarkets 😉
Arriving in Nuwara Eliya we decided to taste the real Sri Lankan cuisine. So we went to one of the local restaurant. The Sri Lankan food is based on rice, meet, vegetables and sauces. It is very spicy but very nice!
Nuwara Eliya is a small high-altitude town, famous for its harsh and humid climate, is called “Little England” for several valid reasons: a constant drizzle, its large hotels with very exclusive colonial-style clubs and a passion for the daily tea ritual.
But our main objective of our visit to Nuwara Eliya was to get the most famous train in the world! So after the lunch and a small walk we directed to the train station.
We bought the tickets and got the train.
The train travels at an average speed of 40 km/h and its itinerary passes through coniferous forests at the highest point of the island and through mountain valleys. You can enjoy the magnificent views from the windows of the train. This is a truly unique train that tourists from all over the world strive to ride.
One of the features of the route is the unique 9-arch bridge, which is located between Ella and Demodara stations. It is one of the most famous places in Sri Lanka. The 30-meter-high bridge was built in 1921 from mountain bricks and in Sinhalese is called “The Nine Heavenly Bridge”.
I would like to put in a word in the small town of Ella situated in the central part of Sri Lanka. By many tourists Ella is a transit point between cultural trips and a seacoast vacation. Despite its small size it is an excellent tourist center with a very lively life. The life here remains rich even after the sun goes down. Of course, you will not find discos here, which, in principle, is not typical for Sri Lanka, but there are a lot of cool bars and trendy restaurants for every taste!
Southeast of Ella, on the shores of the Indian Ocean, there is the Yala National Park. It is the most well-known and oldest national park in the country. The park is also called Ruhuna National Park in memory of the reign of King Ruhun.
The Yala’s visitors have an opportunity to see the Sri Lankas wildlife from the inside, observe the local landscape, which consists of wild forests, savannas, hills, mountains and lakes, scattered throughout the park. Here, in its natural habitat, a large number of wild animals live: monkeys, buffaloes, elephants, deers, crocodiles, wild boars, as well as a subspecies of leopards listed in the Red Book Panthera pardus kotiya. In total, Yala is home to 5 species of turtles, 46 species of reptiles, 44 species of mammals and a large number of birds, insects and fish.
The only way for tourists to visit the natural park and meet its magnificent nature is to get a safari excursion.
After visiting the central part of Sri Lanka we got a bus to continue our holidays on the coast of the Indian Ocean.
I would like to note that a bus ride is an adventure that will immerse you in the life of local residents. Despite the huge number of people, we felt comfortable and protected, we were not afraid for things left near the driver. And this is one of the inherent advantages. The local residents, as mentioned earlier, are very friendly and open people, and no one will try to make anything with your stuff.
White beaches, coconut palms, cozy bungalows hidden in a coconut groves, restaurants on the beach and gorgeous sunsets it is all about Sri Lankas sea coast!
Our first stop was Mirissa. A feature of the South coast of Sri Lanka is endless and wide sandy beaches. Mirissa is a quite calm and peaceful town, but despite this Mirissa offers a wide tourist infrastructure – there are many bars, restaurants and shops. The sandy beach of Mirissa is divided into two bays by the picturesque Parrot Rock Bridge, where we were lucky enough to meet a beautiful mother-peacock and her offsprings. In addition, there is the world famous Coconut tree hill, where tourists from all over the world try to get. Also Mirissa is an ideal destination for beginner surfers. Everything you need for surfing can be rented from shops on the coast. But the main attraction in Mirissa is the whale watching boat trips, which are held regularly from May to November.
Hikkaduwa is a popular resort with developed infrastructure, located 120 km south of the capital of Sri Lanka, Colombo. Hikkaduwa is famous for its beach and is considered the best dive resort on the island. Another attraction is the Coral Reserve, which is located a few hundred meters from the coast. About 70 varieties of multicolored corals grow here. The resort itself stretches along the beach, and it is difficult to tell exactly where it ends.
Meanwhile, the recent history of Hikkaduwa is rather sad. In 2004, there was a powerful tsunami here, and many local residents lost all their property in it. As compensation, they received sewing machines. So now, in an economic sense, Hikkaduwa is one big tailoring atelier. We took this opportunity and bought ourselves a few things from local sewing shops.
In general, the southern coast of Sri Lanka is rich with tourist spots. And these are not only snow-white sandy beaches, beautiful sunsets, but also historical monuments. One of them is the town of Galle. In the past Galle was the most important seaside town, a fortress with a rich maritime history, which suffered three-fold colonial rule by the Portuguese, Dutch and British.
The main attraction of the town are the old quarters constructed around the fort built by the Dutch. The old town is separated from the modern town by the old town wall, which gives it a special atmosphere.
Near the resort of Bentota is situated a turtle hatchery which works everyday since 1986. The workers of the farm help damaged turtles who cannot survive in wildlife anymore. Here you can know the process of the life cycle from egg to growth and you can hold a couple of baby turtles in your hands. Thanks to the efforts of the farm workers, a very large number of sea turtles has already reached the ocean – 500 thousand.
Unfortunately, our journey was coming to an end and we had to move towards the airport. Initially, we thought we would stay in the capital of the country – Colombo – a large economic center and the largest port of Sri Lanka. There is certainly a lot of things to see, but on the way to the city we decided to enjoy for some more time the warm waves of the emerald ocean. Therefore, traveling by train, we booked a hotel in Negombo, 40 km from the capital. Negombo is known as one of the largest fishing centers in the country, and a big fresh fish market is situated there. The market attracts a lot of tourists to the city.
Negombo is a special city in Sri Lanka. Historically, a large number of Catholics live here. Throughout the city, you can see Catholic churches, crosses, images of Jesus.
Numerous canals and lagoons divide the entire territory of the city into parts. Along them are the houses of local residents, there are boats of ordinary fishermen. This part of the city for some reason reminded me of Italian Venice. The touristic part of Negombo offers a wide number of bars and restaurants for every taste, but the beach infrastructure is underdeveloped here. To be honest, this did not stop us from enjoying our last days on the island.
We left Sri Lanka with the best impressions and emotions! Relaxed and inspired. It had a great trip and we passed really good time on the island! It was really interesting to discover new places and new culture, get to know people of Sri Lanka and their lifestyle! It is definitely one of the best holidays we have ever made!
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