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Sri Lanka 2009
Sri Lanka, Round Tour, 7–29 July 2009
Departure from Copenhagen, Denmark
Early in the morning, we began our travel from Copenhagen, Denmark to Colombo, Sri Lanka via Frankfurt, Germany and Dubai, UAE.
Day 1
Arrival in Sri Lanka and Negombo
Our driver and guide, Mr. Wasantha Soma, came to pick us up in Colombo International Airport, and took us to Hotel Goldy Sands in Negombo where we were going to spend our first night in Sri Lanka. After a shower and a short rest, Wasantha took us on a short tour in Negombo to see the town, the market, the fishermen and fisherboats at the beach and the big catholic church, St. Mary’s Church, in the middle of Negombo. Negombo is strongly influenced by the Catholic Church and the city still holds a large number of catholic inhabitants. The city is also influenced by the Dutch ruling time by its many canals and a fort.
Day 2
Anuradhapura and Minithale
Our tour in the Cultural Triangle began by visiting the ancient city of Anuradhapuha, the oldest king city in Sri Lanka. Anuradhapura was for more than 1000 years the city, from where Sinhalese kings and occasional South Indian king ruled from. In Anuradhapuha we saw the many ruins, statues of Buddha and dagobas of the ancient Sri Lanka.
In the evening, we went to the dagoba and hill in Minithale from where it is said that Buddhism originates from in Sri Lanka.
Day 3
Elephant ride and visit to Sigiriya
After breakfast, we went for an elephant ride near Sigiriya. A funny and fascinating experience to get that close to such a big animal. After the elephant ride we went to climb the rock fortress of Sigiriya, with its rocky abode and water gardens. Sigiriya is famous for its toadstool of golden-hued granite and its very well kept frescoes and the Mirror Wall. In the 5th century King Kashyapa domesticated the Lions Rock, by building a palace at its summit.
In the afternoon, we decided to relax in our hotel, the Amaya Lake Resort, the most wonderful hotel you could wish for.
Day 4
Polonnaruwa and safari in Minneriya National Park
After a delicious breakfast at Amaya Lake Resort, we went to visit Polonnaruwa, an ancient royal capital, with its well-preserved 12th century ruins and impressive stone culture. After lunch, we went to Gal Vihara, the place where you can see three statues of Buddha in different positions all made out of the same piece of rock. In the afternoon, we went for an elephant safari in Minneriya National Park. We almost had the national park to ourselves and this might be the reason why we were lucky to see that many elephants.
Day 5
Dambulla and the city of Kandy
Fist stop after leaving the beautiful and quiet Amaya Lake Resort, was the beautiful Dambulla cave temple, the largest cave monastery in the country with a history dating back to the 1st century BC. The cave monastery consists of five caves all beautifully decorated with cell paintings, statues of Buddha and small dagobas. On our way up in the hill country to Kandy city, the last capital of the Singhalese Kingdom, we made a stop at a herbal garden where we got to see how the herbs we normally use in our cooking are grown and made. From the herbal garden we drove to our hotel, Amaya Hills, which is situated on a hillside and from where we had a beautiful view of the countryside and Kandy city.
Day 6
Temple of the Tooth and the Peradeniya Botanical Garden
The day began with a trip to Kandy city to experience the morning ceremony at the Temple of the Tooth, the resting place of the country's most precious Buddhist relic. After our visit to the Temple of the Tooth, we went to the very well kept Peradeniya Botanical Garden, among other things home to the enormous fruit bats that hang from the tree tops as they sleep during daytime.
In the afternoon, we went for a walk around Kandy Lake and went for a stroll in the narrow and crowded streets of Kandy city.
Day 7
The tea estates and Nuwara Eliya
Back on the road to get further up in the hill country. On the trip we had the most beautiful view of the tea estates. On the way we stopped by a tea factory where we got an interesting introduction to the production of different kinds of tea. The climate was changing as we approached Nuwara Eliya, also called “Little England” because the British colonists went there when the climate got too hot in the lowlands. The closer we got to Nuwara Eliya, the colder and the more misty it got. Nuwara Eliya is located at approximately 6500 feet above sea level, with temperatures ranging from 12 C to 22 C. In Nuwara Eliya we stayed at St. Andrews Hotel, a hotel kept strictly in the old English style.
In the afternoon, we went for a stroll in the narrow streets of Nuwara Eliya.
Day 8
Horton Plains National Park and “World Ends”
Early up at 5 a.m. and departure for Horton Plains National Park to see the place called “World Ends” before it got too misty. Horton Plains National Park is a beautiful, silent, strange world with some excellent hikes in the shadows of Sri Lanka’s second and third highest mountains. We reached the place called “Little World’s End” in time to see the amazing view, but when we reached World’s End we could not see more than a few meters ahead of us. More or less disappearing in the mist on the top of a mountain, however, was also a big experience.
Day 9
Ella and Tissamaharama
Goodbye to Nuwara Eliya and the “Nordic” climate. On our way down from Nuwara Eliya we made a short stop at Ella from where we had a beautiful view of the mountainous landscape. Ella is nestled in a valley peering straight through Ella Gap to the plain nearly 1000 m below.
In the afternoon, we reached Tissamaharama, where we were going to spend the night.
Day 10
Galle Fort and The Lightouse Hotel & Spa
From Tissamaharama to Galle where we had planned a 6 days beach stay after our round tour, we drove through areas that still show signs of the Tsunami in 2004. Before arriving at our hotel, the Lightouse Hotel & Spa, we made a stop at the old Dutch fort in Galle to experience the amazing fort construction.
This was the end of a fantastic round tour to some of the highlights in Sri Lanka. It had been an outstanding travel through history, culture and nature.
Day 11–17
The Lighthouse Hotel & Spa
Relaxing and enjoying the sun, the pool and the service at The Lighthouse Hotel & Spa in Galle, and a visit once again to the old Dutch Fort in Galle and the Historical Museum in Galle (more shop than a museum).
Day 18
Departure from Lighthouse towards Colombo
Picked up by your driver and guide Wasantha at The Lighthouse Hotel & Spa. On our way to Colombo, we stopped by a Moonstone mine and a sea turtle hatchery with a lot of 1 day old baby sea turtles. Arriving at our hotel in Colombo, Hotel Galle Face, Regency.
Day 18–23
Hotel Galle Face, Regency
Enjoying the city of Colombo, the National Museum, the market Pettah with its many small stalls, Fort area (some of it was closed for public due to security reasons), The Galle Face Green and visiting “Good Shepherd Convent” in Nayakakanda, Wattala.
Day 23
Departure from Colombo, Sri Lanka
Going back to Denmark after 22 amazing days in Sri Lanka.
If you are looking for an excellent guide and driver for your Sri Lanka holiday - click here
If you want to see our pictures from Sri Lanka - click here
The Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs is still (2010) warning Danish citizens against travelling to Sri Lanka due to the ethnic conflict. We were, for that reason, a bit anxious about going to Sri Lanka before travelling from Denmark. We must say, however, that we experienced none what so ever problems or discomfort during our 3 weeks stay in Sri Lanka. The country is now trying to rise itself after a long period of ethnic conflict (which stopped officially in the spring of 2009) and if you go there you might still see soldiers patrolling the streets and manned security check points. But we felt just as safe during our stay in Sri Lanka as we normally do here in peaceful Copenhagen, Denmark. Do not let the former riots keep you from visiting this beautiful country with its beautiful culture and friendly and smiling people.
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If you are looking for an excellent guide and driver for your Sri Lanka holiday -click here
If you want to see our pictures from Sri Lanka - click here
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