Thailand
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Of course, there are beautiful beaches all over the world, as well as in Sri Lanka, especially on the west and south coasts.
But Sri Lanka has so much more to offer. The Cultural Triangle with its ancient capitals of Sigiriya, Polonnaruwa and Anuradhapura.
Deep green tea plantations, in the highlands, nature, waterfalls, paddy fields in the north, jungle and national parks.
The last royal city of Kandy and old British colonial buildings in Galle or Nuwara Eliya.
Wildlife, Elephants, Humpback Whales, Turtles and so many more. As if another time was being written here and as if the animals had fled here.
Did you know that the island is also called the tears of Buddha. The shape of the island resembles a teardrop. Until 1972 Sri Lanka was called Ceylon.
Sri Lanka is world famous for exporting Ceylon tea, rubber and spices.
The country is also known for its Ayurveda - traditional healing arts and cultural heritage.
Location and landscape of Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is located in the Indian Ocean, separated from India only by the Palk Strait. Sri Lanka has a lot of coastal areas, lowland plains and mountains up to 2,524 m in the highlands. Tea is grown in the highlands. Those who can afford it spend the summer days here to escape the heat. Even the British did this. Nuwara Eliya and Ella became the summer resorts.
From the 6th century BC to the 11th century AD, the capital was Anuradhapura. After that, the capital changed several times between Polonnaruwa and Sigiriya in the 14th century AD.
Many wars were fought over the Tooth Relic of Buddha, in 1284 and 1410 with the Chinese.
The island has always been a maritime hub between Europe and Southeast Asia.
During the colonial period, Sri Lanka was conquered several times by European colonial powers. In 1518 the Portuguese conquered the coastal regions. In 1658 the Dutch rulers took over and both left beautiful colonial style buildings.
In 1796 British rule over Ceylon and coffee cultivation began, followed by tea cultivation in 1860 when it was accidentally discovered how well tea grew here. Indian Tamils were recruited to the highlands to work on the tea plantations.
Sri Lanka has been independent since February 4th. 1948
I made my first visit in the middle of a civil war in 1999 and I couldn't visit many places because of the war. After the civil war between the Tamils and the Sinhalese in 2009, the country could finally be visited again and I came back.
Corona and growing conflicts have driven the country to the brink of national bankruptcy and if tourists don't come back to the country soon, Sri Lanka will be in a bad way.
Around 247 BC The Maurya Emperor Ashoka sent his son Mahinda and daughter Sanghamitta to Sri Lanka to spread Theravada Buddhism. After that, the first Buddhist monastery in Sri Lanka was built in Mihintale. Buddhism has been the state religion of the kingdom of Anuradhapura since 200 BC.
Today about 70% of the population are Buddhists, 13% Hindus, 10% Muslims and 7% Christians.
culture and history
wildlife! do e.g. a safari in Minneriya or Yala
Ayurvedic vacation
Visit a station for turtle eggs
Best by plane
The international airport is Colombo – IATA code CMB then finding flights is usually easier.
We've tried everything from luxury hotels to homestays, and we've even stayed in an old tea factory. Not necessarily the best place to stay, but a great experience, especially for Alejandro. Booked through Booking
You can combine Sri Lanka with the Maldives! More info about the Maldives coming soon!
Kandy - visit the Temple of the Tooth of Buddha
Galle - Our tour to the city with many beautiful colonial buildings