Joanna James
Scouring beyond the usual assortment of exciting attractions in Colombo, here is a list of places that are worth checking that might not be the usual sort of options you would settle for! Let's get adventurous!
One an extremely uncool mess of intertwined revolting odors beside an uncanny canal-area of derelict warehouses, the Pettah floating market, today, is an absolute transformation that is awe-inspiring. With the tireless efforts of the government, this ramshackle of abandoned factories, shady figures and shadier transactions is now transformed to a calm oasis for shopping and a quiet stroll in the overlooking yet another gorgeous sunset! It is embellished with smooth cement paths and polished wooden walkways along and across the cleaned-out canal and makes you actually think, miracles do happen!
A visit well-worth the effort not only for the beauty of the stars but also for the magnificent architectural marvel that this establishment is! This exquisite building takes the shape of a lotus in full bloom; and borrows from two other famous buildings in the world; the Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral and Oscar Niemeyer's Cathedral of Brasilia. The recently refurbed planetarium now hosts a 4D Digital full dome projector to explore the stars as realistically as you possibly could!
Among all the cool things to do in Sri Lanka, taking cooking classes would definitely be one of the most interesting of them all! No matter where in the world you end up travelling, the true essence of a culture is experienced through getting to know their food culture. With the rich history of Sri Lanka, the food tales are for a lifetime. Exploring their intertwined & elemental flavors, aromas and vibrant colors and perfecting your food pairing techniques is an art as interesting a wine pairing (with a lot less alcohol involved). Opt for at least one authentic Sri Lankan meal at an authentic restaurant such as at Cinnamon Grand Colombo, to get a taste of Sri Lanka in its true sense!
The pristine sunset view overlooking the beautiful Diyatha lake will certainly be a treasured memory in your reflections. Wander through the good market to discover authentic and artisan products that you will come across to take back specially as souvenirs, and at extremely reasonable prices too! Amidst the eateries galore at the park, the latest addition is on an island across the lake! So, you best hop onboard the ferry boat and rush on over to enjoy an evening snack at a fancy eatery out of a remodeled train compartment!
It is a queer hybrid somewhere between a Buddhist temple and a museum and sports a number of vintage cars and an enormous amount of materials dubious for advocating religion such as gold, sandalwood, porcelain, ivory, a cannon, swords, taxidermized elephants among a lot of other things! Still for all, it has a number of religious semblances as well such as a massive sacred tree, as well as a treasured Buddhist relic as well.
Representative of the city's colonial Portuguese era, the Kayman's Gate Bell Tower stands tall in the Pettah District of Colombo. You would surely miss this iconic piece of monument should you not know of its existence and barely registers as a tourist attraction despite it being an intriguing symbol of Colombo's colonial past.
This long stretch of green lawn is just South of the fort area and faces a narrow stretch of beach and sea. Originally cleared by the Dutch for a clear canon sight, today it's a nice and peaceful landscape, ideal for an evening walk, tasting some of the ridiculously good delicious Sri Lankan street foods along the way.
Now the true thrill of exploring pettah is trying not to get lost in this maze of tiny streets buzzling with busy shoppers and small-scale sellers alike. Plunge into the frenzy of vibrant textile shops and bargaining salesman sporting the cheapest electronics you are ever going to see!
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