"Sri Lanka - A MOST Wonderful Piece of Earth" Sri Lanka by Sunchild

Sri Lanka Travel Guide: 3,609 reviews and 8,335 photos

Spectecular Nature, Lovely Beaches and Kind People

TSUNAMI end of 2004.

Let me express how horrified and sad we still are due to what has happened to Sri Lanka (and the other countries) by this Tsunami end of 2004.

Our thoughts and prayers are still with all those, who died and those who might still suffer from the loss!

We still cannot imagine, that all the places we went to during our 2nd round trip at the south-east, east and south-west coast in Nov/Dec. 04 had cruelly been destroyed/ vanished.

Before the background of this horrible disaster the following pages seem to become totally senceless - but - at the same time - are not as those, who stayed luckily alive have prooved that they did not give up and recovered a little and thus slowly rebuilt their "paradise" - a few people probably having had the luck to receive some help from the rest of the world.

And I would strongly like to appeal to travelers from all over the world, to PLEASE NOT STAY AWAY from all these lovely parts of this wonderful piece of world - as tourismn is definitely their strongest/main income source.

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TRAVEL IMPRESSIONS

(Please see my travelogues to follow our trip/s and for more pics )

Years ago, when we could not afford to travel the way we do now, I asked a local travel agent, in whose office I was helping out sometimes, what country he would advise us to go to as first choice, after him having seen all this beautiful countries over the world. His answer was ... Sri Lanka - and that is more than 20 years ago!

Since then, Sri Lanca always was on our "Wish-List". Due to the difficult political situation in this country over the past years though, we had to push our intention from one year to the other.

Well, we actually made it in Febr. 2003 and only just lately in November/December 2004. And our expectations were more than fulfilled!

Once again, I was lucky to book via a small travel organizer in Germany (Kumara Reisen) specialising on Sri Lanka and Maldives. Again this proofed to be a very good decisions, indeed.

Sri Lanka offeres everything a traveller's heart desires: Grandiose nature, rich culture, lovely beaches and palm trees, blue skies, warm and clear waters, kind and very friendly people, delicious spicey food and last but not least - Ajurveda treatments - these wonderful oily treatments, after which you feel like being newly born .... (me dreaming away again :-) !

Sunset

This is a sunset picture taken from our balcony in Serendip Hotel in Nov. 04.

Pinnawela Orphanage

Adult Elephant having fun by playing with this sma

Something you should definitely not miss on your round trip!

Pros and Cons

Pros:Sri Lanka has everything a traveller's heart desires!
Cons:Due to difficult political situation and lacking tourists in the pasts, some of the hotels left out the urgently needed "refreshing renovation"! But I am positive, this is going to change soon!
In a nutshell:Sri Lanka - An absolute MUST on your travelling list!

Last visit to Sri Lanka: Dec 2004
Intro Updated Sep 29, 2005
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Reviews (31)

Aluthgama's (Bentota) "Main-Street" at night - Sri Lanka

Nighttime Serenades Nightlife (1)

Definitely not what one normally expects from night life ... but very interesting! :-) more travel advice

In front of Yala Lodge before the Tsunami end of 0 - Sri Lanka

Yala National Parc Things to Do (9)

Well, in Nov 04 we were able to visit the Yala National Parc and stayed in the Yala Lodge located directly on the beach... more travel advice

The big rocky mountain of Dhambulla Temple Caves - Sri Lanka

Dhambulla - Temple Caves Things to Do (9)

These caves are really interesting to visit - although a little sweatening to get up there (maaaany stairs). The temple... more travel advice

Grand Hotel at Nuwaraeliya - lEnglish Style - Sri Lanka

4 Star hotel at Nuwaraeliya Hotels (9)

In Nov. 04 we stayed in this lovely old hotel - just for a change and we really enjoyed it - moreover as we were so very... more travel advice

Favorites (4)
See All Blue Skies and beautiful Beaches
Shopping (3)
See All Jewelry
Restaurants (1)
Don't miss the Fresh Seafood!!!!

Travelogues (5)

1 - 4 of 5

Comments (15)

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SLTraveler Nov 24, 2008 at 8:46 AM

Iam glad you had a wonderful time in Sri Lanka. you have been taken for a ride on that Sari deal. the sari that you got is very cheep in local standard.if you ever go back to Sri Lanka agin plse dont ask the driver to take you to shoping place.
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Emichelle Nov 17, 2007 at 10:24 PM

Hi, your pic of Sigiriya was featured on the home page today. Glad you enjoyed visiting Sri Lanka !! hope you travel again sometime, it sure is a wonderful country. Greetings from Sri Lanka !!
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agm_st Jun 11, 2006 at 12:55 PM

Good tip, Kandy Botanic Garden. Don't miss. Not possible to return to hotel in the midst of the day and go back. It takes an average 120 km one way Dambulla-Anuradhapura, a bit shorter to Pollonaruwa. We slept at Sigiriya two nights, much closer.
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Wild_Orchid Jan 23, 2006 at 2:45 AM

thanks for the tips. will be back for more. :)
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RickinDutch Dec 9, 2005 at 2:21 PM

excellent photos and writing! Last time I went was still called Ceylon. I remember the warm and friendly people best. Birthday greetings from Alaska!
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kyoub Jan 11, 2005 at 1:10 PM

So glad that you got to go back to this wonderful country for a second holiday..
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damaris05 Dec 30, 2004 at 2:28 PM

Wow... you are so fortunate to have taken such a wonderful trip! I am sorry about the tsunami tragedy, had u kept in touch with people you met from there at all? just wondering.
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bijo69 Dec 9, 2004 at 2:52 PM

Very nice page indeed! Happy Birthday from Berlin!
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masc4s Dec 9, 2004 at 1:57 AM

Superb overview of Sri Lanka Rita. Very informative tips and excellent photo's :-)!
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Jeananne Sep 4, 2004 at 3:26 PM

I agree with all you say it truly is aland ,like no other