Joanna James
Sri Lanka is a land overflowing in many a wonder, be it free-flowing cascades, engaging national parks, ancient capitals, hallowed pilgrim sites to modern-day cities that are becoming hubs for commerce.
A major part of the Emerald Isle’s identity is its national parks and nature reserves which make for insightful and enjoyable encounters with the wild. When on holiday here, it is a must to call by the famed setting of the Udawalawe National Park which borders the country’s Uva and Sabaragamuwa Provinces. Home to a wonderful collection of floral and faunal species, none more important than the Asian Elephant; Udawalawe houses close to 600 of these magnificent mammals while the Park is easily distinguished by the lack of dense jungle that makes for outstanding viewing.
On the back of Buddhism being the main religion in Sri Lanka, you will never have any issues locating and exploring a Buddhist temple as a way to come to terms with the nation’s cultural identity. In terms of advice, consider accessing such shrines on the monthly Poya Day holiday where you will be well placed to witness pilgrims clad in white engaged in a number of rituals such as reciting prayers, offering fresh flowers and conducting various poojas. The Jaya Sri Maha Bodhiya in Anuradhapura or the Kalutara Bodhiya in the Kalutara District will afford excellent sightseeing opportunities
Part and parcel of Sri Lanka’s rich heritage is its obsession with tea production and specifically, drinking this beverage at anytime of the day. The central highlands of the country are where age-old tea plantations can be found where you can go on a tour with an English-speaking guide. During this time, you can meet and greet friendly tea pluckers, voyage through lush green tea estates and be educated on the fundamentals of what go into producing one of the world’s most favourite pastimes. In fact, staying at Aitken Spence Hotels which is one the best hotel chains in Sri Lanka will soon have you embarking on such delightful journeys.
Mirroring the role and importance of tea is the conversations that are had surrounding local herbs and spices in Sri Lanka. Considered one of the better ways to understand its value is to stop by the Kandy Spice Garden where you will have the privilege of going on a free guided tour through its inviting surrounds. Study the various herbs and trees that cover the entirety of the Kandy Spice Garden where you will be able to see workers busily peeling off cinnamon barks and preparing portions and herbal mixtures to be used in massages and other treatments.
Hiking up Sigiriya (Lion Rock) which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site will certainly have you engrossed from start to finish. Move through gardens, lakes and fountains en route to ascending the stone stairs which culminate at the summit from where sweeping panoramas of mountains and jungles can be embraced. However, during the course of the journey your attention will be directed towards the famous frescoes believed to be depictions of the maidens who served in the royal court of King Kashyapa of which some ruins are found atop.
Sri Lankan cuisine is as flavourful as they come, doused in spices and showcasing plenty of colour and texture. To the foreigner seeking to get accustomed with the traditions of food preparation, then it is highly recommended that you sign up for a cooking class with a family. Learn the tricks of the trade, visit a local market to carefully select fresh veggies, listen to fascinating stories of how recipes were developed and handed down through generations and importantly, try your hand at making a spicy chicken curry as well as a healthy green sambal.
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