Sri Lanka Holidays
Swathed in structures of religious and symbolic importance, Sri Lanka is a wonderfully picturesque Asian country with one foot in the past and one firmly in the future.
Starting with the capital, Colombo, there is the opportunity to take in the spectacles of the Ul Alfar Mosque, St. Lucia's Cathedral and the Pettah Bazar, structures that attract worshippers in their millions every year, often as they seek divine intervention.
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Sri Lanka Holidays
Onward to Anuradhapura, there are further intriguing sights to gaze upon, including the Rock Temple of Isurumuniya and the sacred Bo Tree, reputed to be the oldest tree on earth. Not to far from here, the heavily spiritual town of Mihintale presents 1,840 granite steps leading up to a mystical dagoba and statue of Buddha, which although exhausting to climb, present successful trekkers with some truly breathtaking structures and panoramas upon reaching the summit.
Sri Lanka Holidays
Travelling on to Sigiriya, you will have the chance to visit the intriguing Sigiriya Rock Fortress.The flat topped rock of Sigiriya rises 600 feet above the surrounding plains and, should you wish for a little adventure, there is the opportunity to scale the rock – face and peer out onto the impressive panorama of the Sigiriya Maidens. Next, why not move onto nearby Polonnaruwa and view its assorted ancient ruins, including the Royal Palace and Gal Vihare, an awe-inspiring statue of Buddha carved out of rock that will leave you spellbound.
Sri Lanka Holidays
Culture of the historical and modern kind can be found in Kandy, a stylish Asian city. Touring the area, you will sooner or later come across the lavish flora and fauna of the Royal Botanical Gardens, as well as the renowned Temple of the Tooth, famed for the being the residence of the golden casket said to enshrine the tooth of Buddha. Not content with being the home of the must – see Dambulla Rock Cave Temple, which comprises of five caverns, and the shimmering surrounding Kandy Lake, it also has some wonderful arts and crafts shops on offer, where you can purchase some unique pieces perfect as souvenirs.
All this time in Sri Lanka – when do I get to see one of its famous Elephants you may well ask? Well don’t worry - there are plenty at the famous elephant orphanage of Pinnawela. Here, you can see these magnificent beasts up close and in person, eating and strolling the grounds peacefully.
Sri Lanka Holidays
Echoes of Sri Lanka’s British Colonial past are evident in the mountain hideaway town of Nuwara Eliya. This scenic settlement was fashioned by the British, and in particular, the English, a few hundred years ago, and as such, the area is home to such unusual yet familiar sights as a post office, a golf club and even a race course - all straight out of the Home Counties. Of course, the British (particularly the English) needed their tea, so keep a keen eye out for the tea estate, a centrepiece of this fine veranda.
Finally, film fans may want to catch a look at the setting for ‘Bridge over the River Kwai’, the quaint village town of Kitulgala which still bears a resemblance to the state it was in when the 1957 Oscar winning film was shot here.
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