Things to do in North Of Colombo
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Circle Sri Lanka
15 days (ex Negombo)
by Intrepid
Bliss out beachside in Mirissa, Learn the secrets of Sri Lankan cuisine in Bandarawela, Shop up a storm in Colombo, Walk the ramparts of Galle, Witness elephant…Not LP reviewed
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from USD$1,920
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Bijou
You’ll know this place is Swiss-owned when you see fondue (advance order, Rs 2000) and other Swiss and German specialities on the menu. It mixes up such heavy dishes with a wide range of seafood.
reviewed
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Lords
By far Negombo’s most creative eating experience. Martin, the British owner of this half restaurant, half art gallery, brings a larger-than-life presence to the place and is a rare thing among expat restaurant owners in that he actually works on the floor and in the kitchen making sure that everything is just spot on. The food, which is so superbly prepared and presented that the thought of a free meal was enough to get the president himself to come and open the restaurant, is a hybrid of Western and Eastern flavours. The gallery displays excellent contempory work by local artists.
reviewed
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Wilpattu National Park
Due to security issues Wilpattu National Park was closed at the time of research, but there is every chance that it might well re-open sometime in the future. If so you’ll find dense pockets of jungle scrub interspersed with small clearings, and tanks that shrink in the dry season and swell in the monsoon. The park is home to up to 50 elephants and 50 or more leopards, as well as spotted deer, sloth bears, wild pigs, crocodiles and more. At 1085 sq km, it is Sri Lanka’s largest national park.
reviewed
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Dutch Fort
Close to the seafront near the lagoon are the ruins of the old Dutch fort, which has a fine gateway inscribed with the date 1678. Also here is a green, called the Esplanade, where cricket matches are a big attraction. As the fort grounds are now occupied by the town’s prison, the only way you’ll get a peek inside is by stealing something; though you’d need to be very interested in old Dutch forts to go this far.
reviewed
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Fish Market
This fish market is across the lagoon bridge. If you can stagger out of bed at 6am, it’s a good place to watch the fishing boats return with their catches. If you’re hanging around the markets, you won’t have to wait long before you’re invited to go out on an oruvaor a kind of vessel; expect to pay around Rs 1000 per boat per hour. A Fishers’ Festivalis held here in late July.
reviewed
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Ammehula
The young owners of this cafe claim that the name means ‘Go Away!’ and the menu features a cartoon turtle cussing about how all the good fish come here. Besides seafood dishes there are sandwiches, salads and a long breakfast menu that includes Dutch pancakes. There’s a small library of books for swapping.
reviewed
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Alta Italia
For a casual beach resort this is a surprisingly formal Italian-run place with a long menu that includes fresh pasta, seafood grills and thin-based pizzas. Try the authentic risotto and finish with a limoncello or grappa. Or sample from the espresso machine, steaming behind the counter.
reviewed
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Rodeo Pub
Blathering, homesick expats, and tourists who wish they’d never left, drown their sorrows at this wannabe European bar where graffiti’s scrawled across the walls and bacon butties, pints of larger and cocktails with sexy names prop up the clientele. It’s perfect, if you’d rather be in Benidorm.
reviewed
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Ice Bear Century Cafe
In a lovingly restored peach-pink colonial-era town house, this new venture in the heart of Negombo offers a touch of refined class and all manner of Sri Lankan brews and mountains of homemade cakes and biscuits.
reviewed
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Fish Market
Fish auctions on the beach and sales at the fish market near the Ducth fort are a slippery and very smelly sight, but one that’s well worth forgoing some swimming-pool time for.
reviewed
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Pri-Kin Restaurant
Chinese cuisine is the real focus of this open-air place, although you can also get Western and local meals. For dessert, don't pass up the fried bananas and ice cream.
reviewed
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Nobel
A trendy new restaurant with a young owner and a hip-hop sound-track. It has a good variety of Western dishes such as steaks (Rs 775) and lots of local vegie options.
reviewed
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King Coconut
This is a lively, popular spot beside the beach. There's a long menu of curries and seafood, but this place is probably best just for enjoying a drink and the view.
reviewed
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St Mary’s Church
The fading pink chamber of St Mary’s Church, in the town centre, has some thunderous religious ceiling paintings covering the nave.
reviewed
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Angurukaramulla Temple
East of town the Angurukaramulla Temple, with its 6m-long reclining Buddha, is worth seeing.
reviewed
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Vijitha Yapa Bookshop
Vijitha Yapa Bookshop has English-language novels, magazines, guidebooks and maps.
reviewed
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Pearl Restaurant
This in-house joint in the Pearl Hotel has better than average food.
reviewed
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Lagoon Resthouse
This is one of several old Dutch buildings that is still in use.
reviewed
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