Friday, February 11, 2011

Sri Lanka: The South Asian jewel

If one wants to travel to a relatively well known but unexplored island with lots of unprecedented surprises and a chance to get in touch with nature, Sri Lanka fits the bill in the perfect sense.

Anuradhapura: Having easily the most prolific history in the whole of Sri Lanka, the town of Anuradhapura has been ruled by Sinhalese kings, as well as those of South Indian descent, for more than 1000 years. The town was one of the most important capitals of Sri Lanka, as well as the most extensive one. However, it is very difficult to truly understand the depth of its historical significance due to the excessive span of time since its downfall happened, much unlike the younger Polonnaruwa, which is relatively new in the books of history. The town, in its present avatar, is very planned and detailed out, much to the delight of every visitor, with greenery beaming with all its fervour, and the main roads being very orderly and organised, unlike the unpleasant concrete jungles that are a signature of prominent cities across the world. The modernised look of the town is a result of very recent efforts in the 20th century.

Arugam Bay: The east coast's most traveller friendly friendly destination, Arugam Bay is a single and continuous strip of beach accommodation that follows the Panama road and is adjacent to the Muslim village of Sinna Ulla. The best place to surf the mighty Sri Lankan waves is between April to October, although Arugam Bay is also a fantastic retreat to escape the hustle-bustle of everyday life. One can simply relax, enjoy the great seafood (as well as local delicacies, which are equally mouth-watering, if not less!). There is also plenty of night life for those who love to party. The off season time, between November to April, is very quiet, and is perfect for those who want to be by themselves. The sea is also better for swimming at this time. Further, for those who love nature, the region surrounding Arugam Bay gives numerous opportunities to view birdlife, elephants and crocodiles.

Ella: One of the most picturesque destinations in Sri Lanka, Ella is a sleepy village located in a valley that overlooks the Ella gap to a plain that is approximately 1000m below. On a clear night, one can even see the Great Basses lighthouse across the coast. The town is surrounded by hills that comprise of tea plantations which are a great place for a stroll at any time of the day. Also, there are many beautiful temples and waterfalls in this otherwise under developed town that received electricity recently in 1984.

Yala National Park: Agreed, this is not Kenya, but Yala National Park, popularly known as Ruhunu, is the centre of attention for nature lovers, as it provides ample scope of seeing elephants, leopards, and many other exotic species of birds and reptiles. A safari at Yala is an essential part of the itinerary for a majority of the tourists visiting Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka, besides being a great tourist destination, also gives one many experiences to share with his/her near and dear ones. Subscribing to Matrix international sim cards, that give fantastic savings on every call, allows one to talk as many times during the vacation as he/she pleases.

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