Sri Lanka

Introduction

Facts

- Climate

- Culture

- Food

- Transport

Travel Tips

Itinerary

INTRODUCTION

Sri Lanka lies on the southern tip of the vast Indian subcontinent. It is separated from India by the 50 km wide Palk Strait. The island is about the same size as Ireland or Tasmania.

Sri Lanka is the country of tea. The southern half of the island is dominated by beautiful and rugged hill country with picturesque tea plantations allover. Ebony, teak, silk wood and spectacular orchids are found in the dense south-western tropical rainforests. Hardy grasslands, rhododendrons and stunted forests predominate in the cool, damp highlands, and shrubs and grasslands survive in arid zones in the north. Animal life is profuse and includes the ubiquitous elephant, as well as leopards, deer, monkeys, sloth bears, wild boar, cobras, crocodiles, dugong and turtles.

The country has been first a Dutch and after a British colony since 1597. Coffee, tea, cinnamon and coconut plantations sprang up and English was introduced as the national language. Then known as Ceylon, Sri Lanka finally achieved full independence in 1948.

FACTS

CLIMATE

Sri Lanka is a typical country with distinct dry and wet seasons. There are two monsoons: one in May to August and the other in October to January. Rainfall is heaviest in the south, south west and central highlands; the northern and north-central regions are very dry. The best time to visit the west, south coast and hill country is between December and March. May to September is best on the east coast.

CULTURE

The tragedy of Sri Lanka stems from its ethnic intolerance and militant readings of religious philosophy. The Sinhalese are predominantly Buddhists, the Tamils mainly Hindu, and there are sizeable Muslim and Christian Burgher minorities. The Sinhalese speak Sinhalese, the Tamils and most Muslims speak Tamil and the Burghers often speak English. Since 1983 the Tamils have been fighting for an independent homeland but this has now finally find resolution.

The country has a population of 19 million, where almost 70% of the inhabitants are Buddhist.

Sri Lanka's classical architecture, sculpture and painting is predominantly Buddhist. There are several extravagantly large Buddha's sculptures, and Kandy is the most thriving cultural center today. Colonial remnants include Dutch forts, canals and churches and British residences, clubs and courthouses. Galle is the finest colonial city on the island.

FOOD

Rice and curry - often fiery hot - dominate meal times and usually include small side dishes of vegetables, meat and fish. Hoppers are a unique Sri Lankan snack, similar to a pancake, served with egg or honey and yogurt. Coastal towns have excellent fish and most travelers are happy to live on the delicious local tuna. There's plenty of tropical fruits to choose from, the tea is terrific and the beer acceptable.

TRANSPORT

It is not really necessary to have your own driver to travel around in this country! The best way to go is mostly by busses (very crowdie!), there are not many train lines. It is also possible to hire a scooter, but is less safety.

TRAVEL TIPS

At the roads they drive like crazy! No traffic-rules! After our experiences we not recommend to book a package with car, driver, accommodation, etc. The company told us that we could choose where to go, but at last the driver decided everything. And he took us just to typical tourist attractions. Wash up at the airport - the car companies catch you and know how to convince tourists! The Sri Lankan people are very nice. But you never no if they really like you or just your money! Normally they make double price for tourists, so do not hesitate to bargain.

ITINERARY

Time: 7. - 23. July 2001

Plane to COLOMBO (capital) with Emirates via Dubai. Stayed in the capital for some days. It is a dirty, noisy and poor town. We booked a driver with bus for 10 days at the airport. This costs about CHF 500.- p.p. incl. driver and accommodation w. breakfast.

First stop was SIGIRYA - a peaceful place at the countryside. There we enjoyed a elephant safari and visited the famous rock of Sigirya.

After two days we continued to POLONARUWA. The big tourist attraction are the ruins of a massive Buddhist temple.

The next city was KANDY in the middle of the country. This place is famous for the yearly, holy elephant-parade. There was a beautiful Buddhist temple (quite many tourists) where they are keeping one teeth from Buddha. After two days we drove up to the mountains. The landscape was very fascinating and there were tea-plantations everywhere. We also visited Ceylon-tee factory.

The best experience of the tour was climbing the ADAMS PEAK (2'243 m). This is a pilgrims route visited from thousands of people in February-April. But we were all alone! At the top it was a small Buddhist-temple. The nature around is gorgeous.

The last days we spent at the beach in ANUWATUNA (between Galle and Colombo). Possibility to go snorkeling. Small cozy restaurants at the beach with excellent see-food. The only thing was the noisy main-road close to the beach.

At the end we got picked up by our driver who brought us back to COLOMBO.