Joanna James
Colombo has always been catching the eyes of many as a cultural melting pot. In case you have plans to visit the city on your vacation, take note of the following to maximise the fun of your trip.
If you don't know much about Sri Lanka, but you'd like to, you must drop in at the National Museum – it is where all the evidence of the country's history is stored up. Surrounded by a lovely green park that gives it a peaceful atmosphere – the National Museum is where you will see loads of artefacts pertaining to ancient Sri Lanka.
The Buddhist house of worship is respected and revered by locals and foreigners alike. It is said that this is where Buddha's tooth relic is preserved. Inside the temple premises, there are several buildings which include a hall of gifts, a library and a museum. In the hall of gifts, there is a vast array of items on display which were presented to the temple by the devotees as an act of reverence.
For a delicious lunch or dinner, you can go to the Dutch Hospital which is thought to be one of the oldest buildings in the country – the history of the building goes as far back as early 1600. And now it is a shopping complex. While enjoying your meal you can enjoy the beautiful architecture the establishment is built in.
You can enjoy your tour without any troubling thoughts if everything is taken care of and provided for – it will be just so if you can stay at one of the fine hotels in the country. To put your mind to rest – there are many luxury hotels in Colombo which are scattered throughout the city – you can choose one like Residence by Uga Escapes.
This really is an adventure seeing as how the place is crowded with thousands of people – it feels as though everybody's trying to do or say something simultaneously. Though this is the case, to really experience Colombo, you must visit Pettah to see how people get on with their lives. There are plenty of shops as well where you can buy things if you are up for an episode of haggling.
This is a popular activity of the Colombo touristic scene especially because of the climate in Colombo. Most foreigners find it a bit challenging to wander around in the sweltering heat and they opt for a tuk-tuk ride. If this is your first time, make sure you agree on the price beforehand or the driver has the meter on.
You can either go to the Galle Face Green or Mount Lavenia Beach. Both places are quite fun –although it tends to get a bit crowded in evening times and during weekends. There are street vendors selling various types of street food which are quite delicious. At Galle Face Green, you can also walk the length of the newly-built promenade.
If you don't have time to journey around the country to explore Sri Lankan wildlife, you should visit Dehiwala Zoological Garden. There are birds, exotic animals and snakes for you to observe.
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