Joanna James
There are hundreds of reasons to visit the exotic island of Sri Lanka, listed are just five; enough to entice you into packing your bags immediately, and catching the fastest plane to this magical island in the Indian Ocean.
The wilds of Sri Lanka are nothing short of exotic; that includes the ocean surrounding the island. Head over to Kalpitiya, Mirissa, or Trincomalee, and set-off on a dolphin and whale watching cruise, which guarantees sightings just about every time; Mirissa beach hotels along the scenic south coast the likes of Esprit d'ici Hotel will gladly help to organise such tours. You can explore wildlife sanctuaries such as Yala, home to one of Asia's largest leopard populations, mammals, amphibians, birds and reptiles, the beaches there are boulder-strewn rustic havens, snaking inland to reveal scrub jungles, lagoons and plains. In Minneriya the elephant population is staggering, while Bundala Park is a birder's haven; yes Sri Lanka treats the wildlife enthusiast with more than a fair share of creatures from the wilds.
Galle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, home to the iconic Old Dutch Fort and rife with colonial history is where you will find an international standard cricket stadium. Bordered by the ramparts of the fort and sitting next to the harbour, this breezy ground has witnessed a series of nail-biting cricket encounters and has many more planned for visitors to enjoy.
That's right folks! Sri Lanka has a ministry for crabs, and they are the freshest and most delicious you will taste on the island. Located within the Old Dutch Hospital, now a chic, dining venue in Colombo, this restaurant was voted Asia's 50 best in 2016. The Old Dutch Hospital restored to its former colonial-style splendour, is a treat to explore, letting you indulge the foodie and well as the culture buff.
The Dambulla Rock Temple of Sri Lanka is a UNESCO World Heritage Site; located at the summit of a huge boulder, overlooking the Dambulla town this network of over 20 caves was once the refuge for an exiled Sri Lankan King in the 1st century. On regaining the throne, the king "thanked" this sanctuary by turning five of the caves into marvellous temples. Enjoy the wall paintings spanning across the low slung ceilings and still retaining its stunning beauty. Discover over 40 statues of the Buddha, depicting his life's journey, as well as, other artefacts, statues of Hindu Gods and Sri Lankan kings.
The gentle mammals are loved in Sri Lanka, and by heading over to elephant sanctuaries like the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage near Kegalle, you are given a chance to interact with the gentle mammals in an environment similar to its natural habitat. Make it there at feeding time and you get to bottle feed the young calves, while the adults can be followed on their trek across the road to the inviting waters of the Mahaweli River, where they bath, and have loads of splashing fun. Ready to pack those bags yet?
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