Sri Lanka

[Dave]

I just got my plane tix to go to Sri Lanka in a few weeks. Has anyone been to this island country and if so any recommendations for where to stay, what to see, type of food etc?

Thanks

~ Dave

[Dave]

Since we are on the road in this island country this ia a good time to write a few comments. I’ve been to about 1/3 of all the countries in the world and this one by far has the largest gap between what tourists are charged and what the locals pay…for everything. We’ve personally experienced this and talked to other tourists who were completely ripped off in the cost of transportation, especially.

Buses are by far the cheepest way to get around the island. The roads are slow going almost everywhere – narrow and with lots of various types of traffic (tuk tuks, bicycles, buses, taxis etc). From Colombo for about a 2 hour trip to say Kandy expect to pay about 150 rupees per person on the bus. Locals are paying about 20 rupees per kilometer. AC Vans are slightly more. We heard of one couple who paid $160 US dollars for taxi to Kandy. Wow, what a rip – should cost about 8000 rupees for private car/taxi.

We explored the northern part of the island, only 7 months after the war ended. This area still is completely coming out of 31+ years of war. Military everywhere, military bunkers, terrible roads. The best season to explore the beaches here are April and May. There are some nice beaches north and south of Trincomalee and Pigeon Island is also good. Nivali Beach Hotel is the most expensive and best hotel at Nivali Beach but rooms are imited in numbers and if you plan a stay here either off or on season you should reserve WELL in advance.

The hill country is nice – def cooler than the lower more tropical regions. Kandy is a nice tourist town spread out among a number of hills with the primary focus being on the temple that contains the only physical relic of Buddha in existence – his sacred left tooth.

Great surf for surfers in parts of Sri Lanka, especially north and east coasts.

Cost of attractions and National Parks somewhat expensive – Sigiriya to see the rock fort only is $25 and $50 us dollars for entire area.

Great bread in the small bread shops – delicate, light and tasty.

Watch out for tuk tuk drivers hanging out next to hotels and guesthouses. They will make up whatever to get you in their vehicle and change the pricing on you.

Off to the really high country now to see the waterfalls and maybe do some short trekking.

Comments?

~ Dave

[OlgaShtain]

Sounds good kalakala I think I might go and check Sri Lanka out next trip…especially as Air Asia have just announced a new route to Colombo. Think they start flying there from KL in August.

[ivievei]

beautiful Eyeland Srilanka. But there is some problem there due to current security situations. I dont know about exact situation of Srilanks now a days. Can any one update here.

[rojer]

Srilanka is a regaining country after ending thirty years of terrorist war;as a peaceful country now,srilanka rich with many picturesque places;Indexed as happiest people living in asia.
So if you hope to Visit in Srilanka i would like to recommend Some places to visit and Accommodations for stay..

Sigiriya-

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Sigiriya (Lion’s rock) is an ancient rock fortress and palace ruin situated in the central Matale District of Sri Lanka, surrounded by the remains of an extensive network of gardens, reservoirs, and other structures. A popular tourist destination, Sigiriya is also renowned for its ancient paintings (frescos),which are reminiscent of the Ajanta Caves of India. The Sigiriya was built during the reign of King Kassapa I (AD 477 – 495), and it is one of the seven World Heritage Sites of Sri Lanka.

Accommodations-
elephant corridor Hotel

Anuradhapura-

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Anuradhapura is one of the ancient capitals of Sri Lanka, famous for its well-preserved ruins of ancient Lankan civilization.
The city, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, lies 205 km north of the current capital Colombo in Sri Lanka’s North Central Province, on the banks of the historic Malvathu Oya.
From the 4th century BC, it was the capital of Sri Lanka until the beginning of the 11th century AD. During this period it remained one of the most stable and durable centers of political power and urban life in South Asia. The ancient city, considered sacred to the Buddhist world, is today surrounded by monasteries covering an area of over sixteen square miles (40 km²).

Accommodations-
ulagalla resorts

Kandy-

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Kandy is the English name for the city of Maha Nuvara (Senkadagalapura) in the centre of Sri Lanka. It lies in the midst of hills in the Kandy plateau, which crosses an area of tropical plantations, mainly tea. Kandy is one of the most scenic cities in Sri Lanka; it is both an administrative and religious city. It is the capital of the Central Province (which encompasses the districts of Kandy, Matale and Nuwara Eliya) and also of Kandy District.

Accommodations-
randholee resorts

[rojer]

Some of them PM to me for asked Web sites of these hotels. Here are the links

elephant corridor Hotel – http://www.elephantcorridor.com
Ulagalla – http://www.ulagallaresorts.com
Randholee- http://www.randholeeresorts.com

thanx

[rojer]

Colombo is the largest city and former capital of Sri Lanka. It is located on the west coast of the island and adjacent to Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte, the capital. Colombo is a busy and vibrant city with a mixture of modern life and colonial buildings and ruins and a city population of 647,100. The Colombo Metropolitan Region, defined by the districts of Colombo, Gampaha and Kalutara, has an estimated population of 5,648,000, and covers an area of 3,694.20 km².

This is a best Place Which I recommend for stay.

Located in the heart of Colombo, Sri Lanka, Ceylon Continental is primarily a five star business hotel and holds the acclaim of being the first such property in Sri Lanka, since opening in 1973. Ceylon Continental is poised along the Indian Ocean, offering beautiful, up close views to its guests. Our much loved restaurants and thoughtful amenities offer epicurean delights, gracious service and relaxation to business travelers, sojourners and vacationers alike.

[ImagineTravelA]

great links. Thanks for the info. Our much loved restaurants and thoughtful amenities offer epicurean delights, gracious service and relaxation to business travelers, sojourners and vacationers alike.

[rojer]

“Elephants roam freely, water buffaloes idle in paddy fields and monkeys swing from trees. And then there’s the pristine coastline. The miles of sugary white sand flanked
by bamboo groves that were off-limits to most visitors until recently…”

The official website for Sri Lanka tourism

[todaytourism.com]

Actually I am very curious about Srilanka, what can I see there and what’s is in there when I get there. My friend told me that Srilanka is a nice place and there’s a lot of beautiful place there to enjoy with. There are lots of good comment on the place too. Looking forward to see it.

[Author]

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