Joanna James
Sri Lanka is quite the tourist destination with its hospitable nature that welcomes tourists from all over. After the civil war, the island has begun to breathe life back into its tourism industry.
Founded by Sir William Henry Gregory – then British Governor of Ceylon – the Colombo Museum was inaugurated on the 1st January 1877. The idea of a museum was brought about by the Royal Asiatic Society in 1872 who believed that a museum was needed to give the public a cultural and historical focus. Built in Italian architectural style, the museum displays a vast range of historical and cultural artefacts. If you wish to witness the tell-tales of the British colonial era, you must reserve a spot in your schedule to visit the Colombo National Museum.
Ceylon tea is the most captivating aspect of Sri Lanka that has reached every corner of the world. During the British era – the tea production reached its peak making Nuwara Eliya the focal point of the industry. If you love Ceylon tea, you must visit the Haputale Mountains – which is where Sir Thomas Lipton used to sit and relax enjoying the views of his tea empire.
This is a relatively new experience to be had on the island – no sooner it was introduced than it gained wide popularity due to the unique experience it offers that last nearly four hours. The best time for this is during late autumn and early spring. If you do decide to give this daring enterprise ago, you will have an unforgettable airborne tour that sweeps over the country's historic sites, green mountains, rivers and dense forests.
The spectacle is quite popular among nature loving and adventure seeking tourists. Witnessing these elusive blue whales is one of the best things to do in Sri Lanka. Most of the whale watching is done in Mirissa – a place where a lot of tour companies such as Eden Garden Tours would be happy to take you for an amazing blue whale encounter.
At Yala National Park – a leopard and bird sanctuary – you will have the opportunity to spot Sri Lankan leopards and various forms of bird life. If the purpose of your foreign travels is to enjoy nature, visiting Yala National Park should be high on your travel itinerary. Aside from leopards and birds – to sight Sri Lankan elephants – in fact, to have a close encounter with them – visit Uda Walawe National Park. The park is home to over 400 elephants – here you can do a bit of bird watching as well.
The world heritage site, Sigiriya is a man-made fortress which dates back to the 5th century AD. The cultural and religious focal point is visited by thousands ritually –during the season – to bathe in the soft rays of the rising sun.
It goes without saying – if you find yourself in Sri Lanka on your next vacation, you must make it a point to enjoy the beaches. The Island country has no shortage of beaches or water sports – you can go swimming, surfing, scuba diving, dolphin watching and so on. But if you are not in the mood for an energy draining activity, you can always sit under a palm tree and enjoy the island's abundant supply of sunlight.
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