I know it sounds strange, but in Sri Lanka, somethings are simply not what they say they are,
For me this is part and parcel of what Sri Lanka is all about.
On your travels in Sri Lanka you will come across many Hotels. For example….Hotel Vegan, Hotel Dhal, Vegetarian Hotel.
Those weird and food sounding names are not actually hotels but restaurants. The only thing on the menu is food, not double or single rooms. I found it quite amusing and it put a smile on my face every single time I saw yet another one of those “hotels”.
They are mostly run by Tamil or Hindus and there are two things you are guaranteed – lovely local food, often spicy, and rock bottom prices.
Don’t be scared. Give them a try!!!
Vesak lanterns called Vesak koodu are lit in most of the homes in Sri Lanka on Vesak poya day. The lighting signifies an offering to the memory of the Buddha who delivered the message of Dhamma. In ancient times, people used their clay oil lamps for illumination. When candles became popular, colourful lanterns were made in different shapes and colours were used. Many associations arrange competitions on Vesak lanterns with the creators of the most beautiful lanterns being awarded valuable prizes.
Lanka4me.com along with other tour companies has seen a huge decrease in future bookings taken, due to the Sri Lankan government giving incomplete and inacurate press statements to the worldwide media.
The cabin crew who greeted us were beautiful smiling ladies in peacock saris proudly displaying luscious, brown, rounded midriffs. You’ve got to love a nation that doesn’t need to hide it.
I have never seen such concern for strangers. Every time someone less able to stand boarded our bus, chairs would be shuffled. There was a hierarchy of seat-needyness. The elderly were immediately offered seats, so were mothers with babies or children, so were older, and then younger, women. It was a joy to see. If the young woman preferred to stand then a seated gentleman would take her bags on his lap. Total trust, nobody was worrying about theft at all. Call me old fashioned, but it was wonderful to see.
Manners aside, the buses themselves are a joy. Glittering lights and music turn every bus ride into a special occasion. No blaring techno or horrible elevator music, just lovely Sri Lankan tunes played at just the right volume to be enjoyable, even to us. Maybe the Sri Lankans are sick to death of the same tunes every day on their way to work, but we think it’s cool.
The natural environment is spectacular. Huge powerful waves pound the pristine shore. Dense rain forests appear just a few meters back from the coast road and there are the cool hill country tea plantations waiting for us to explore.
You have the co-existence of Hindu, Buddhist, Christian and Buddhist faiths, the historic buildings, temples, forts and markets. Sri Lanka is immensely rich in history and culture.
IndiGo, India’s largest and fastest-growing airline, has announced that Colombo, Sri Lanka will be its eighth international and 49th overall destination on its network.
With this addition, both corporate and leisure passengers travelling to and from Colombo will get the opportunity to experience the on-time, affordable and hassle-free travel experience that IndiGo is synonymous with.
Edelweiss, Switzerland’s leading leisure airline and sister company of Swiss International Air Lines, is further expanding its route network to Asia.
As well as opening Sri Lanka to Swiss and other European visitors, the new route offers a convenient direct flight for travellers from around Colombo to the heart of Europe, with many onward flight options from Zurich to other European cities and world-wide destinations with Swiss International Air Lines.
Economy Max encompasses 76 comfortable seats with six inches more legroom, more recline and many other amenities.