Sri Lanka: hotels, beaches
The island nation of South Asia, called "Ceylon" until 1972, became famous throughout the world for its elite tea grown on emerald plantations cherished by local residents. The subequatorial monsoon climate provides optimal conditions for a beach holiday at any time of the year. In Sri Lanka, hotels are hospitable and cozy - the locals have managed to create an atmosphere of a tropical Paradise, surrounding their guests with sincere hospitality. Upon arrival on the island, you are greeted by flowering fruit trees and the unusual fragrance of well-groomed gardens.
For a comfortable trip tourists prefer to use car rental services in Sri Lanka. The average cost of renting a car in Colombo Airport is 16 euros per day. The cars-scanner service will help you to save up to 70% on car rental.
Here, elephants roam freely along the quiet and busy streets, and the most delicious fish in the world is cooked in local restaurants. Sri Lanka tour prices are relatively low, which has a beneficial effect on the growth of tourist interest in this resort country. Almost the entire coastal zone of the island is strewn with soft sand, and popular descents into the ocean are gentle and safe even for inexperienced swimmers.
The best beaches in Sri Lanka belong to the resorts of Nuwara Eliya, Ventota, Kalkudah, Passekudah, Kalutara and Beruwala. The ideology of Buddhism has so filled the worldview of the islanders that it is very difficult to find more benevolent and sympathetic people. A real kingdom of harmony and tranquility spreads around you. This feeling needs to be felt and fully understood, because the reverent delight and complete peace of mind are difficult to describe in familiar words.
Trips to Sri Lanka are not just an ordinary trip to an evergreen resort, but an opportunity to know yourself, discover new facets of your "I" and look at the world with wide eyes. Not without reason, the locals do not tire of repeating that they know only three colors: the turquoise blue of the sky and the ocean, the gold of sandy beaches and the emerald green of tropical flora. There are no shades of sorrow and sadness here, and all adversity is perceived with philosophical calmness and hope for the best.
Among other things, when purchasing tours to Sri Lanka, you will get acquainted with the majestic cheetahs and leopards, various monkeys and, of course, elephants that can be seen in their natural habitat. When traveling around the former Ceylon, remember that they don’t go into a foreign temple with their charter, which means that certain rules must be observed, especially when visiting religious shrines. Respect someone else's religion!
Excursions Sri Lanka offers the most varied and amazing, but mostly of a pilgrimage nature. So, it is forbidden to cross the threshold of the temple in shorts or an immodest skirt, hats, clothes with bare shoulders and an open back. You must also take off your shoes, so we recommend that you stock up on disposable socks for hygiene reasons. It is also not worth taking pictures of local residents without their permission, as well as posing in front of Buddha statues, especially with your back turned to them. It is indecent to show the interlocutor's feet, take things with the left hand and stretch out the index finger, pointing at any object.
Also remember about the existence of sacred animals, such as a cow, the display of neglect or disrespect for which is insulting to the locals. The most interesting sights of Sri Lanka. One of the most famous local curiosities is the local "fishermen on sticks", at low tide digging their cruciform "perches" into the coastal sand, and then sitting on them all day waiting for a rich catch.
In Senkadagalapur (aka Kandy), guests of the island are happy to visit the Royal Botanical Garden, where you can admire ornamental, flowering trees, palm groves, a rich collection of indoor plants and many beautiful orchids. Prices for sightseeing holidays in Sri Lanka are very affordable, which allows Russian tourists to plan long-term trips, during which you can see all the sights. The most recognizable by tourists and revered by the local population is the Temple of the Tooth Relic in Kandy, the frescoes of which vividly and colorfully reflect the life of a great teacher who achieved enlightenment, as well as the history of the appearance of a sacred relic in Ceylon.
In Sigiriya, the Dambulla Cave Temple is worth seeing, serving as the abode for the most grandiose collection of Buddha statues, many of which are over 2000 years old. The city of Polonnaruwa is no less interesting: here you should pay attention to the Lankatilyaka temple and the grandiose 13-meter statue of Buddha. Actually, the entire territory of the Alakhan Pirivena monastery is an open-air museum. On the highest platform of the stone complex is the current Prayer Hall. Particularly impressive is the main monument of the Rankot Vehera monastery - a colossal stupa, more than 50 meters high!
The Stone Temple invariably attracts tourists, where there are four amazingly realistic Buddha statues carved into the rock. The resorts of Sri Lanka are replete with all sorts of memorable places. Nuwara Eliya, namely Mount Sri Pada, located on its territory, is probably the most popular place of pilgrimage. Tens of thousands of tourists go from year to year on a hike to the sacred footprint.
It is noteworthy that this relic is revered by followers of four religions: Buddhists are sure that the footprint was left by Gautama Buddha, Muslims prove that it was Adam descended from Heaven, Hindus attribute the imprint to their supreme God Shiva, romantically calling the peak Srivan Adipatam - "cosmic dance Shiva", and, according to Christian teaching, the Apostle Thomas passed here, bringing the light of faith to India.