06.Travelling By Train
Sometimes there no way to get a seat on the slow but oh so popular train to Ella, but with a prime standing room only spot looking out at a rolling carpet of tea who cares? Outside the colourful silk saris of Tamil tea pickers stand out in the sea of green in side you may get a shy welcome via a smile. At stations, vendors hustle treats, including some amazing corn and chili fritters sold wrapped in some body's old home work paper. Munching one of these while the scenery creaks past?
07.Udawalawe National Park
This huge chunk of Savannah grassland centered on the Udawalawe reservoir is the closest Sri Lanka gets to East Africa. There are herds of buffalo (although some of these are domesticated!), somber deer, crocodiles, masses of birds, and elephants and we don't just mean a few elephants. We mean hundreds of the big nosed creatures. In fact, we'd go so far to say that for elephants, Udawalawe is equal to or even better than many of the famous East African national parks.
08.Bundala National Park
With all the crowds heading to nearby Yala National Park the Ramsarrecognised Bundala National Park often gets over looked. But with the parks huge streets of shimmering waters singing to the sound of bird song, skipping it is a big mistake. Bundala has a beauty that over parks can only dream of and is one of the finest birding destinations in the country. Oh and in case herons and egrets aren't glam enough for you the crocodiles and resident elephant herd will put a smile on your face.
09.Shopping In Colombo
Part of the magic of Colombo yes you read that right is going on a retail binge. We don't necessarily mean the kind where you buy more than will fit in a fleet of three wheelers rather we mean binging on the experience itself. Even as parts of the world race to a big box future Colombo's market in Ptah heave and hurl with goods and offers and just general chaos. And if you'd like something a bit more stylish Colombo has a growing collection of chic boutiques and stores.
10.Jaffna & The Rediscovered North
In Jaffna every thing seems different especially the language the rapid fire staccato of spoken Tamil is a real change from singsong Sinhala. So too the cuisine singularly spiced and in season complemented by legendary mangoes. And perhaps even the light it has a distinctive quality reflected as deep garden greens in Jaffna's suburbs. Revel in the uniqueness of Jaffna from the towering ornate Hindu temples to colourful saris draped over women on bicycles.
Sometimes there no way to get a seat on the slow but oh so popular train to Ella, but with a prime standing room only spot looking out at a rolling carpet of tea who cares? Outside the colourful silk saris of Tamil tea pickers stand out in the sea of green in side you may get a shy welcome via a smile. At stations, vendors hustle treats, including some amazing corn and chili fritters sold wrapped in some body's old home work paper. Munching one of these while the scenery creaks past?
This huge chunk of Savannah grassland centered on the Udawalawe reservoir is the closest Sri Lanka gets to East Africa. There are herds of buffalo (although some of these are domesticated!), somber deer, crocodiles, masses of birds, and elephants and we don't just mean a few elephants. We mean hundreds of the big nosed creatures. In fact, we'd go so far to say that for elephants, Udawalawe is equal to or even better than many of the famous East African national parks.
With all the crowds heading to nearby Yala National Park the Ramsarrecognised Bundala National Park often gets over looked. But with the parks huge streets of shimmering waters singing to the sound of bird song, skipping it is a big mistake. Bundala has a beauty that over parks can only dream of and is one of the finest birding destinations in the country. Oh and in case herons and egrets aren't glam enough for you the crocodiles and resident elephant herd will put a smile on your face.
Part of the magic of Colombo yes you read that right is going on a retail binge. We don't necessarily mean the kind where you buy more than will fit in a fleet of three wheelers rather we mean binging on the experience itself. Even as parts of the world race to a big box future Colombo's market in Ptah heave and hurl with goods and offers and just general chaos. And if you'd like something a bit more stylish Colombo has a growing collection of chic boutiques and stores.
In Jaffna every thing seems different especially the language the rapid fire staccato of spoken Tamil is a real change from singsong Sinhala. So too the cuisine singularly spiced and in season complemented by legendary mangoes. And perhaps even the light it has a distinctive quality reflected as deep garden greens in Jaffna's suburbs. Revel in the uniqueness of Jaffna from the towering ornate Hindu temples to colourful saris draped over women on bicycles.
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