Joanna James
Known across the world as “The Pearl of the Indian Ocean”, the island of Sri Lanka is located in close proximity to India. Being a landmass of about 65,000 square kilometres, the country is full of interesting things to see and do. Since English is a widely spoken language, and the locals are super friendly, it is very easy too get around too. If you are on holiday in Sri Lanka for a week, here are a few places you will be able to explore withing that period.
Once you’ve arrived in Sri Lanka, hop a taxi to Colombo which is just an hour away. If you’ve already reserved your stay at hotels in Colombo, Sri Lanka, then make a beeline there and check-in first. You can try out hotels like Berjaya Hotel Colombo if this is your first time. Although most tourists tend to skip the capital city, Colombo has quite a few interesting places to visit. Hail a tuk-tuk and head over to Gangaramaya Temple which is a must-see attraction here. It offers a beautiful view of the Beira Lake and is lovely for an evening stroll.
Now when it comes to visiting Dambulla and Habarana both in a day, you might not be able to explore both places thoroughly enough. However, what you need to do is go after the highlights of both places. Leave Colombo as early as possible and make your way to the Dambulla Cave Temple. This is the largest network of painted caves in the world! The ancient drawings remain as good as new to date. As for Habarana, a safari would be your best option where you get to spot the gentle giants of the wild in their natural habitat.
It’s another beautiful sunshiny day and you’ll be all ready to explore yet another exciting place in Sri Lanka. The Sigirya Rock Fortress is known the world over as the 8th World Wonder and is a UNESCO protected site. What you will see here is a centuries old rock that is about 400 meters in height and the best part of it all is that there once was a castle atop this gigantic boulder!
A visit to Sri Lanka definitely wouldn’t be complete without a visit to Kandy. This city is the cultural capital of the country and has got some of the best historic sites for exploration. The town looks like its straight out of the colonial era. Stroll through the streets which are quiet easily navigable and start off with a visit to the Temple of the Tooth Relic. This is a magnificent complex that is on everyone’s list of places to visit in Sri Lanka. Next, head over to the Royal Botanical Gardens in Peradeniya which is every nature lover’s dream! Its great for some good photographs as well.
When it comes to travelling up country towards Nuwara Eliya in Sri Lanka, the best way to do so is to catch the train to Nanu Oya. This is said to be one of the most scenic train rides in the whole of South East Asia. When it comes to train tickets, there is a choice between first class which offers air conditioning and second class where the only air conditioning is the breeze coming in through the window. Nonetheless, the recommend ride would be second class as this is the whole unique expereince you’ve been looking for. The air grows colder as you go higher, so much so that even in July, temperatures here are about 17 degrees Celsius. Once you get to Nanu Oya, hop a taxi and take a 15-minute drive to Nuwara Eliya.
With its cool atmosphere and evergreen woods, it is no wonder that Nuwara Eliya in Sri Lanka is called ‘Little England’. Here in the mountains, its all about the tea! Book a tour with a tea estate and walk through the rows of various types of tea. Catch a glimpse of how things are done at the factory as well. The hill of Sri Lanka feels like a magical place that has been cut off from the entire world. Life seems to move at a slower pace and even wifi connectivity is not that great. It is great for an escape from everyday life if you are searching for one.
At long last, after the cold weather in the mountains, it is now time for some sunny beach weather once again. Make your journey back down to Negombo and book your stay at a beach resort. The Negombo beach is unspoiled and beautiful. However, the waves could get pretty rough quickly. The most important part of the expereince is the sunset! Make sure you don’t miss out on that no matter what.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
