Sri Lanka destination guides |
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In 1803, Robert Percival claimed of Colombo: “There is no part of the world where so many different languages are spoken, or which contains such a mixture of nations, manners, and religions.” In 1914, Bella Woolf declared: Read More |
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A century ago, Dambulla was a mere collection of wattle-and-daub huts and ‘native shops’ that extended for no more than 200m. True, it was the location of a spacious and comfortable rest-house, but that was about all the place had to offer the 19th century tourist, except, Read More |
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It was . . . the eastern part of the district that won my heart and which I still see when I hear the word Hambantota: the sea perpetually thundering on the long shore, the empty lagoons, behind the lagoons the stretch of jungle, and behind the jungle far away in the north the purple line of the mountains. Read More |
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Hikkaduwa appears to have been an early tourist destination in Ceylon, for it was reported in 1843 that it “is most pleasantly situated, and a great resort of picnic parties from Galle”. Traditionally associated with the cultivation of coconuts, rice and cinnamon, plumbago mining Read More |
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Jaffna comprises many things. From its rich history to colourful cultural traditions, to unique landscape to delicious mangoes and other Jaffna specialities – there is too much to discuss. The images in my mind of Jaffna are its tall, straight palmyrah palm trees; women riding bicycles equally straight and tall; and the Read More |
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Kalutara is memorable to tourists passing through the town firstly for their driver’s obligatory stop at a temple where he deposits a coin into a till to pray for safe passage to their destination, and secondly for the bright purple heaps of locally-produced mangosteens during the season. Read More |
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Kandy is with many visitors first favourite among the beautiful places Ceylon can show.” This early 20th century guidebook assessment of the country’s hill capital still holds good, although modernity and overcrowding has somewhat tarnished its charm. Fortunately it still has enough attractions of the cultural kind, such as temples, Read More |
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There are many interior Sri Lankan towns that have mysterious mountains and towering rocks as backdrops, and Kurunegala is one of them. Thanks to its picturesque setting with eight peaks, most especially the famed Elephant Rock, Kurunegala has much that makes it remarkable. Once an ancient capital, it also has a history worth becoming acquainted with. Read More |
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From Tangalla to Matara the road reveals new and unexplained beauty. It skirts the seashore and for mile upon mile, bay succeeds bay, a curve of yellow sand, dazzling blue water and palm-crowned headlands. There is no run more exhilarating Read More |
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The Sinhalese refer to Negombo as Meegamuwa – “The village of honey” (or bees) – due to a story about a swarm of bees that had settled in a boat pulled ashore here. However, it was not honey or bees that made this town well-known but cinnamon. This valuable spice is native to the island, as its botanical name Read More |
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An early 20th century English writer commented on Nuwara Eliya: “When he looks out of his window in the early morning and sees the whole world glistening under hoar-frost and the garden brimming with geraniums, pansies, sweet peas and every English flower, he wonders if he is really in the tropics at all.” There’s no need to wonder. It is the tropics and it’s for real. Read More |
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Polonnaruwa was Sri Lanka’s medieval capital between the 11th and 13th centuries. Enclosed within three concentric walls, the city contained royal palaces, bathing ponds, monasteries and sacred architecture such as dagobas and image houses. Its grandeur was largely the creation of three Read More
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It is probably the most singular geological formation in Sri Lanka, and encompasses one of the more remarkable archaeological sites. It has a dramatic history that has all the elements of a classic drama, with a central character straight from Read More
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Sri Lanka has overwhelming abundance of green trees, glorious waterfalls, captivating panoramic views, enchanting ancient history and adventurous wildlife. View Guides |
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