Joanna James
Sri Lanka is a majestic destination and there's so much to do on this small island you could be spending months in the country and still not see everything there is to see. So, here is a small list of top reasons why you should visit Sri Lanka and spend as much time there as possible when you go.
Whether it's going dolphin or whale-watching, elephant safari rides, diving under the sea with whale sharks or stalking the elusive leopard, Sri Lanka is a wildlife wonderland. Sri Lanka is home to about 5,800 Asian elephants and when you come across a significant herd in the wild it is a feeling that can't be easily paralleled. The same holds for leopards in Yala and the lush rainforests in the central hills.
Galle Fort is a place that exists on a timeline of its own, still harkening back to its prosperous colonial times. There's plenty of Dutch architecture to see, the best-preserved fort in the country to visit and if you are lucky, you can catch a cricket match on the green ground right beside the fort that has seen its fair share of cricket for centuries. Join the locals in a small carnival-like atmosphere that always centres around a cricket game in Sri Lanka.
The Dambulla Caves are part of the cultural triangle which houses a plethora of historic sites including Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa which were the first and second kingdoms of Sri Lanka. Dambulla Caves house a series of caves each about an era of kingdoms. You can then drive up to the Sigiriya Rock Fortress which is a feat of architecture that will blow your mind. Spend some time learning about the history of Sri Lanka so you know more background of the places you are exploring.
There are three major train rides that you can take in Sri Lanka which all serve as a breath-taking way to see the natural beauty of the island. All three trains start in Colombo and the first is a train down south which runs perpendicular to the coastline where you can get off and head to your hotel in Kalutara Sri Lanka. The train will also go down as far as Galle and back again so if you are staying at a local resort the likes of Mermaid Hotel & Club you can hitch a ride back taking the most scenic route. The other two trains are the ones that go directly to Jaffna and the famous Kandy-Ella train.
Wherever you are staying try your best to have local food whenever possible. Sri Lankan cuisine is as multicultural and diverse as its people and tends to differ depending on where in the country you are eating. Food in Jaffna and the north are designed for completely different palates from food in the south.
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.
