You find the caves a bit South from Dambulla on the road to Kandy. They're behind a rather new 30m Buddha statue.
Admission is 1000 Rupees
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 | Dambulla Cave Temples   |  | |
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 |  on January 9, 2005 |
There are five caves at this complex, containing about 150 Buddha statues. The building of these caves began during the first century BC by a king who was driven out of Anuradhapura and found refuge here. Afterwards more and more was added. You find the caves a bit South from Dambulla on the road to Kandy. They're behind a rather new 30m Buddha statue. Admission is 1000 Rupees |
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| Don't miss out a Round Trip! | | |
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 |  on December 31, 2004 |
(For some info abut Tsunami, pls. see my introduction page) (To "follow" us on our round trips, pls. read the following "Must See Activity" -Tips as well as my t'logues one by one. I will update these pages, soon, as we made a second round trip in Dec. 04 ) We started our round trip at Negombo, which is only 20 Min. north from the airport and after this long, comfortable (Emirates) but still exhausting flight, this one night in the Blue Oceanic Hotel was really the right thing to start with! Thanks to Mr. Prasad of Kumara-Reisen advising this to us! As we arrived already in the hotel at 10h in the morning , we had nearly a whole day to relax on the beach and go for a nice walk! In the afternoon our tour operator informed us (this information was just for the two of us) about all details of our round trip. The next day, early in the morning, we started our trip, making the aquaintace of our driver (and tour guide - that's what he really was and should be paid for, too!), Sudath and on the second one, Anura and Kid, our driver. |
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| Galle: The Fort City (bis) | | |
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 |  on December 29, 2003 |
Galle was clearly chosen as a port for excellent strategic reasons. It has a fine natural harbour protected, to the west, by a south-pointing promontory--the next piece of land, literally, is the frozen waste of the Antarctic, over five thousand miles distant. Perhaps the earliest recorded reference to Galle comes from the great Arab traveller Ibn Battuta, who visited the port--which he calls Qali--in the mid-14th century. The Portuguese first arrived in 1505, when a fleet commanded by Lorenzo de Almeida took shelter from a storm in the lee of the town. Clearly the strategic significance of the harbour impressed the Portuguese, for 82 years later, in 1587, they seized control of the town from the Sinhala kings and began the construction of Galle Fort. This event marked the beginning of almost four centuries of European domination of the city, resulting in the fascinating hybrid--architecturally, culturally and ethnically--which Galle is today. The Dutch captured the city from the Portuguese in 1640, and immediately began strengthening the fortifications. They remained for almost 150 years, until the city was in turn taken by the British in 1796. Not until 1947, when Ceylon gained its independence from the British, did Galle become, once again, an independent city--and by this time the long years of association with European colonialism had left an indelible stamp on the city which makes it unique in today's Sri Lanka. In recognition of this fact, the Old City of Galle--essentially the fort and its surroundings--was declared a World Heritage Site in 1988. Although there is plenty of good accommodation available in Galle, as well as some very passable places to eat, many visitors will prefer to stay at one of the nearby beach resorts of Hikkaduwa, Unawatuna or Weligama. A visit to Galle makes an excellent and enjoyable day trip when it seems time to take a break from beach life and indulge in a little history and culture. |
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| Sigiriya | | |
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| on January 9, 2005 |
The impressive rock fortress was built in the 5th century AD by Kasyapa after he murdered his father the king of Anuradhapura. Fearing revenge from his brother he fled to Sigiriya and built his palace on the rock. Half way to the top you'll see some well preserved frescoes of beautiful girls, the so called "cloud girls". The final approach to the top is made through huge claws, the only remains of what was once a whole lion. On the top itself you see the foundations of the palace and a large water tank. The views from there down on the surrounding gardens and the landscape are remarkable. Be prepared to do a bit of climbing to get to the top, the steps are quite steep sometimes. Admission fee is 20 US$ |
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| Sigiriya: The Mount of Remembrance. | | |
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| on December 29, 2003 |
The spectacular rock fortress of Sigiriya was no mere fortress, gloomy and forbidding. At the brief height of its glory-it was a royal citadel for more than 18 years, from 477 to 495 A.D. and one of the loveliest that have graced this land. There are many interpretations of the Sigiriya period, history replete with legend, love and betrayal. But one story remains, the story of Kaspaya (477-495 A.D.) its creator, King with an artist's soul. Bards have written about him and plays and film have tired to capture his personality. Kasyapa left Anuradhapura and built for himself at Sigiriya, a palace and city modelled on the mythical abode of "Kuvera" God of Wealth. He gave form to his dreams of grandeur. Eighteen years later, his half-brother Moggallan challenged him with an army. By one of those momentary mistake of judgement that changes the course of history. Kasyapa thought he was alone in battle, raised his dagger and slew himself. In a sheltered pocket on the western face of the Sigiriya rock, approached by a spiral stairway, are the famous frescoes. Epigraphical evidenced refers to the existence of 500 such portraits, but only 19 remain today. On the western and northern sides of the steep rock face runs a gallery or pathway which provides access to the seemingly inaccessible summit. Shielding this pathway is a 9 1/2 ft. plaster wall, so highly polished, that even today, after fifteen centuries of exposure to sun, wind and rain, one can see one's reflection in it. Hence the name "Mirror Wall". On the polished surface are the Sigiri Graffit recorded by processions of visitors to the rock in the past. The summit of the rock is nearly three acres in extent. The outer wall of the palace which is the main building was constructed on the very brink of the precipice. There were gardens, cisterns and ponds laid out attractively. The pleasure garden of the western side of the rock is studded with ponds, islets, promenades and pavilions. |
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| Anuradhapura: Culture History Central | | |
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| on December 29, 2003 |
Anuradhapura is AWESOME. It lies 200 km from Colombo and was the first capital, founded in about the 4th century B.C. According to the Mahavamsa, the Sinhala Buddhist chronicle, the city was a model of planning. They built hospitals, hostels and separate cemeteries for low and high castes. Constructions of water-reservoirs supplied the citizens with water. Anuradhapura was the capital for some 1400 (4th BC-10th AD) years, at the end the South Indian struggles took over. The city was then abandoned. But the monuments are still there to visit. Its impressive remains were `discovered' in the early 19th century and have been in the process of restoration ever since. They lie to the west and north of the modern town of Anuradhapura. The Sacred Bo-Tree is the city's holiest site, and was grown from a sapling of the tree under which Buddha achieved enlightenment. The Thuparama Dagoba, the oldest of many temples in Anuradhapura, is believed to contain the right collar-bone of Buddha. The Jetavanarama Dagoba is the largest remaining structure and may once have been over 100m in height and housed an estimated 3000 monks. There are also museums that invite exploration, marvelously restored twin ponds which were used by monks as ritual baths, and immense tanks built to provide irrigation for the growing of rice. The best way to explore the area is by bicycle. |
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| Colombo - the big smoke | | |
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 |  on September 9, 2004 |
The much maligned capital city. Most tourists spend a day or two here at most, complain about the crowds and traffic, then move on. Having lived here I know that, like many capitals, it grows on you if you let it. It's never going to be one of the world's great cities but it is worth sticking around for and taking a few days to explore. Despite the compaints, compared to many South Asian cities it's not even overcrowded or chaotic - in fact quite the opposite. It also has some attractive and interesting suburbs (although few that are both!) Just get off Galle Road and have a look at what the rest of the city has to offer. To see some of that take a look at my separate Colombo page |
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| Sri Pada - Adam's Peak | | |
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| on September 9, 2004 |
Not quite the highest mountain in Sri Lanka but certainly the most sacred. A major religious site, many Sri Lankans make pilgrimages to the temple at the summit in the early months of the year. The path up is long but fairly easy - there are even steps to the top! - and there are some stunning views. On a good day I'm told you can see all the way to the coast. But despite the great views, my favourite time to climb it is in the middle of the night when you can't see anything! On holy poya days (when there's a full moon) literally thousands of people climb at night, singing their way up the steps in the pitch black. It takes hours and you almost have to queue but the atmosphere is fantastic. You can sleep on the floor in the temple (if you can find the space!) and then wake up at the top of the mountain to the sun rise. An absolutely incredible experience not to be missed! I will write a travelogue or a separate page about it soon! |
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| Off the Beach | | |
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 |  on April 29, 2006 |
A cheap package deal with reasonable accommodation can work out cheaper than a flight only deal, so for us less adventurous independent travellers booking a package deal and using the resort hotel as a base while you explore the country can give the best of both worlds. With a package deal you will be met at the airport after your long flight and chauffeured to your hotel where you can sleep and spend a few days acclimatizing. When you’re ready to hit the road you can leave documents such as flight tickets and anything else you do not need to carry with you in your hotel, allowing you to travel relatively light. You can also go back to your air conditioned hotel for a few days if the heat and hassle of travel starts getting you down and to relax for a few days before heading home. There is a lot to see and do in Sri Lanka and it is a relatively safe and easy country in which to get around, so get a bag on your back and see where you end up. Use local buses and trains for transport, local inns and rest houses as your accommodation and local people as your guides - fantastic. There is more info on getting around in Sri Lanka on my home and travel pages |
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| Using Sri Lankas Rivers | | |
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| on February 10, 2006 |
Sri Lanka is hot and after a hard days travel you will probably appreciate somewhere to cool off. Even if you are based in a beach resort a trip inland for a cool fresh-water swim makes a perfect afternoon out, particularly if sea conditions are not good and you are fed up with the hotel pool. The good news is that Sri Lanka is blessed with numerous rivers, tanks, waterfalls and pools so even off the beaten track you are never far from somewhere interesting (and usually beautiful) to go for a dip. Even a small stream is likely to have a pool somewhere deep enough to swim, even if it is man made, but you may need local help to find it. Hotel staff, three wheeler drivers and just about any local will know the best places and may even offer to take you to their favourite spot. Villagers still use the rivers to wash themselves and their clothes and you will probably meet some local people so be prepared to share you picnic and if you smoke - your cigarettes. Always take local advice before you enter the water, there is a tip on safe swimming inland which you can get to via my Sri Lanka travel page. |
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| Off the Beaten Path Tips: 137 - Photos: 127 | Tourist Traps Tips: 62 - Photos: 33 |
| Warnings or Dangers Tips: 108 - Photos: 61 | Transportation Tips: 166 - Photos: 116 |
| Local Customs Tips: 138 - Photos: 104 | Packing Lists Tips: 39 - Photos: 13 |
| Shopping Tips: 45 - Photos: 35 | Sports Travel Tips: 15 - Photos: 10 |
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