Sri Lanka

 

For a small island, Sri Lanka has many nicknames: Serendib, Ceylon, Teardrop of India, Resplendent Isle, Island of Dharma, Pearl of the Orient. This colorful collection reveals its richness and beauty, and the intensity of the affection it evokes in its visitors.

Head for the rolling hills to escape the heat of the plains in the cool of tea plantations. The entire island is teeming with bird life, and exotics like elephants and leopards are not uncommon. To top it all off, the people are friendly, the food is delicious and costs are low.

Marco Polo considered Sri Lanka the finest island of its size in all the world, and you'll likely agree after exploring the country's fabled delights. What takes your fancy? Beaches? The coastal stretch south of Colombo offers palm-lined sandy expanses as far as the eye can see. Culture? Try the Kandyan dances, a procession of elephants or the masked devil dances. Ruins? You'll find enough ancient and inspiring architecture in the cities of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa to satisfy that inner archaeologist.

A tropical country with distinct dry and wet seasons, subject to two monsoon season. The South West Monsoon is active during May to August in the southern part, western coastal areas and the hill country. From October to January the North East Monsoon brings rain to the northern and eastern regions. Meaning that travelling year round in some part of the country is possible. However, there is no guarantee against showers which occurs at no particular time.

In the coastal regions and the low country temperatures vary between 220C and 300C with Colombo averaging 270C. As one ascends the heights of the hill country there is an appreciable drop in mercury. Kandy at an altitude of 450 mts averages 200C and Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka’s main hill station at 1890 mts averages 160C but can plunge below a chilly 1000. Temperatures are highest about two hours after noon and coolest just before dawn.

Srilanka's wide ethnic mix and religious festivals are worth watching as they also reflect the culture, traditions and beliefs of the people as a whole. What is even more interesting about these festivals is that a majority of the celebrations take the form of Street parades, in the process, attracting large crowds of spectators.

Even a church feast, rather than being confined within the four walls of the church, is normally celebrated with colorful street processions and a carnival like atmosphere. So are the many festival's celebrated by Buddhist's and Hindu's, the two main religions in the country. These street pageants, re-enacting ancient rituals accompanied with songs and dancing, are fascinating to watch.

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