Joanna James
Sri Lanka, the island known as The Pearl of the Indian Ocean might be small in size, but there is much to explore. The island boasts of rich history and culture to delve into, friendly locals and a good choice of places to stay as well. Here are a few places to tour.
There are quite a few colonial cities in Sri Lanka, but let's start from one that's closer to Colombo than the rest. Galle is located down south and you can travel there by private vehicle, train or the highway bus. If you opt for the highway bus, which is the fastest way to get here, your last stop will be at the Galle Fort. For those of you who aren't familiar with the Galle Fort, it is the most iconic attraction in this city and a prized treasure. The fort was built first by the Portuguese and was reinforced by the Dutch. The walls are so thick that you can even walk on it! Next, you can stroll through the Dutch Hospital which is just walking distance from here and perhaps purchase a souvenir or two and grab a bite to eat as well.
Trincomalee is situated towards the eastern side of the country is quite a popular place among both local and foreign tourists. One would be the pristine, clean beaches with crystal clear waters. Within these clear waters are rich marine life, during certain times of the year, whale watching is available too. Along with all these great things is also a bit of a sad monument which is the Trincomalee War Cemetery. This is one of the 6 Commonwealth Cemeteries in Sri Lanka. Soldiers of the British Army who fought in World War II were buried here.
From the coastline of the country, we come to the hills of Sri Lanka which can be called a hiker's paradise. With glorious greenery, a cooler and refreshing climate and a laid-back attitude to life, Ella is one of the best places to visit. Ella Rock is one of the best hiking trails here and offers some of the most stunning views of the terrain. Picture tufts of white cloud covering the peaks of mountains and being surrounded by rich evergreens...this is exactly what you'll see once you reach the summit. There are perfect photography opportunities here as well.
Sri Lanka sightseeing tours are not complete without a visit to a tea factory to learn about how what you know as Ceylon is produced, packaged and comes into the market. Tea factories offer their own tours right from the tea plantation where the tea is grown and plucked. You will then be taken to the factory where the processing and drying take place. Once the processing is done the tea is then packaged and sent to various warehouses and sold on the shelf.
Colombo is the commercial capital of Sri Lanka and might seem like just and an urban hub. But look closer and you'll spot a few hidden treasures to explore and learn about. The Dutch Hospital, Beira Lake and religious places are in plenty. Refer sites like Truly Sri Lanka for more information.
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.
