Introducing Sri Lanka
When the noted writer Sir Arthur C Clarke made his home in Sri Lanka in 1956, he claimed the island jewel of the Indian Ocean was the best place in the world from which to view the universe. The author of 2001: A Space Odyssey passed away in 2008, but no doubt the futurist would have logged on to Google Earth to gaze back at his island home from an online universe. And concealed in the sky-high imagery of this teardrop-shaped nation, he would have recognised an amazing diversity for somewhere so compact.
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Fringing the coasts is an array of gently arcing golden-sand beaches, now making a comeback after the devastation wreaked by the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami. Zoom closer to spy the giant tanks (artificial reservoirs) built by the first Sinhalese rulers around the ancient cities of Anuradhapura and Pollonaruwa. In the Hill Country, a layer of cotton wool clouds obscures the view, mirroring the misty mornings travellers often experience in this area of waterfalls and verdant tea plantations.
To the northwest, a gossamer-thin land bridge almost connects fragile Sri Lanka to the modern juggernaut that is India. Two and a half decades of civil war reinforces this bridge to Tamil Nadu is as much cultural as geographic.
Irrespective of their cultural background, Sinhalese, Tamil and Muslim locals will welcome you with pride. Pride in their criminally underrated cuisine, pride in their national parks and wildlife, and – especially – pride in their national cricket team. Whether you’re a humble three-wheeler jockey or a British-trained lawyer or doctor, the sport that frequently stops the nation is always worthy of discussion. How will the boys do in the upcoming series against New Zealand? Will the country be ready to host the World Cup in 2011? And have you seen how much that opening batsman from Kandy is earning in the new Indian Premier League?
Faced with funding a war and weathering a global financial crisis, Sri Lanka’s proud population has been doing it tough for a few years. But equipped with a stellar combination of scenery, culture and history, a growing focus on sustainable tourism and (hopefully) a more settled society, Sri Lanka is firmly back on the radar for curious travellers seeking unique experiences.
Ready to go?
These tours & activities make it easy:
- Experience Sri Lanka at handlebar level
- Circle Sri Lanka in 15 days
- Give the kids a memorable holiday on this Sri Lanka family discovery
Last updated: Mar 23, 2012
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Thorn Tree forum discussion
Recent posts
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Re: Sri Lanka In August
by Kateglover 16 May 2012
Dear Ankit, Hebs05 has offered the best advise so far. The itinerary would work best if you started in Nuwara Eliya, then when to Kandy…
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Re: Sri Lanka In August
by gayan_jaya 16 May 2012
dear Ankit, i used before this driver. very friendly, very fair price, very comfortable vehicle, he know all placeses in srilanka pls…
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RE: self drive in sri lanka
by sandramarkkalage 16 May 2012
@ 3 As they say let someone else do the driving and you enjoy the scenery. This I like and that’s the best way ))))))) "Whatever …
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