Horton Plains

One amazing place, most probably the coldest and windiest place in Sri Lanka!

Rich in flora and fauna. Located in the central highlands. About 30 km from Nuwara Eliya, 40kms from Haputale. Ones who come from Nuwara Eliya can reach to the entrance poin in Pattipola, while the ones from Haputale reaches the entrance point in Ohiya.

Herds, deers are very regular sights in Horton Plains.

There is a one special place called 'World's End' in here. As the name sounds, there is a sudden end of the path in that so called place! From there you can see a huge fall, and the sight runs to 10km ...

Due to the high variety of nature, Horton Plains was declared a UNESO World Heritage Site in 2010.

If you planing to visit Nuwara Eliya, this is the 1st place that you should add to your list :)

Even we Sri Lankans rarely misse this place when we are going trips to Nuwara Eliya!

Photo Gallery

Read More

Sigiriya Rock Fortress

Another famous tourist destination. The best place to ensure the rich culture of Sri Lanka.

Little bit from the History (just leave this para, if you feel shiftless...)

This was built by King “Kashyapa”. He killed his father to get the kingship early. Kashyapa had a brother called “Mugalan” and he was very angry about this. He went away from the palace with challenging Kashyapa that one day he would come back with an army. Kashyapa knew that his brother had a great military knowledge and therefore he wanted to ensure his security. Then he built this fortress. (However it is said that his brother gained the victory later)

Sigiriya is situated in Mathale District, about 40 miles away from Anuradhapura. From far away, the rock seems like a lion standing in a jungle. One important thing about this place is that there are no more rocks near by. It brings more safety to the fortress; otherwise the enemy can easily attack with the help of another rock.

Sigiriya rock has a unique shape: the ones who know it well can easily recognize it from far away, even from the central province. (When you are climbing the Hill country, you will pass “Kadugannawa” and there is a ‘site watching place’ near Kadugannawa. You can recognize this rock even from there)

When you enter to the garden, don’t rush to climb! There are many things to watch first. Just take a 360’ turn! You can understand how biggy the garden is! Yeah, probably I could say a Garden Complex :). It is true if I say, this is one of the oldest landscaped gardens in the world.

As this is a fortress, the garden is not only for beauty! The garden can be divided to 3 sections and each of them is surrounded by drains. First section is just the beauty. Second one has few security features and the last section is totally a mess of Security! There were even some Crocodiles in the drains of the last section of the garden (Don’t worry, see I just used “were” :P )

When you are climbing, there are some places that you should wait and enjoy. Sigiriya Frescoes and The mirror wall are few of them.

 <Frescoes>

King Kashyapa was a fine artist. Sigiriya frescoes prove that.  These frescoes were drawn on the whole face of the hill. According to researches, these are painted in 8^th century and still in good form (even with colors). Researchers also said that there are many similarities between these and “Ajantha” Paintings in India. However the females depicted there are extremely beautiful. They are known as the daughters of King Kashayapa. (Some people say they are the wives of him).

One the way to top, there is a wall called mirror wall, a wall made with polished stones. Some say this was to cheat the invading armies. However the graffiti written on the mirror wall by visitors later are wonderfully composed and it seems like most of them had composed poems with the impression of Frescoes.

Before entering to the peak, you will come to some sort of floor. There you can see the paws of a huge Lion. You won’t see the head of the lion, because it was missing since a long time ago :(  .  Creep through those paws to climb up.

At the top of the rock you can see the ruins of a palace. Can you believe; how the building materials were taken to the top of the rock is still unknown, because even with the modern machinery it is difficult to reach such a rocky height :). That is the main reason to consider this as the 8^th wonder of the world.

Well, I think this place is really suitable for taking Panorama shots.. so try that too..

Location                         :  Central Province

Known for                      : Rock fortress, Frescoes, Graffiti,  

Geographical coordinates: 7° 57' 0" North, 80° 45' 0" East

Climate                           :  Sunny (usually)

Challenge from me          : I just mentioned above a spot in Kadugannawa where you can watch this rock clearly. When your car stops at that place… try to recognize it yourself :D

CAUTION: There are some hives of honey bees in few places in the rock. DON’T DO ANYTHING THAT CAN PROVOKE THEM. (even your drastic perfume or  a cigarette could stir up them)

Gallery

The rock from far away

Little bit closer..

The Garden Complex

A Section in the Garden

Paws of the Lion

  

Climbing up!

Peak

Read More

Unawatuna Beach

Unawatuna Beach

This is one of the best beaches in Sri Lanka. If you are going down South, this might be the best place to have a swim.

The reason to being so famous is that this place is protected by a reef which lies as a wall. So it is safe for your children too. Not only that, but also you have shallow water for diving and for swimming with no risk.

Of course you can hire diving kits, equipments for swimming and also huge tires (which are my favorites :P) for babies.

As I heard SOME of the sellers in there are charging extra money for their instruments from foreigners. Therefore always remember to do those things via your guide… ask him to act as ‘he needs those’

Few years ago, Unawatuna was very rich with its biodiversity. But with the development, we are losing them little by lil. Woods with the various species of plants and animals were flatted to build up hotels. (We need hotels, but they should be situated without harming the nature, savvy?) 

It is not an exaggeration, Unawatuna once selected as one of the twelve best beaches in the world. But with the distraction of Tsunami, the beach loses its sweet peaks. but still providing a fabulous chance to have an unforgettable time with the sea.

If you are seeking the history and the mythical roots relevant to this beach, click here.

Location     : South of Galle, Southern Province.

                     About 120 km from Colombo (from the Airport as well)

                    Turn to Galle-Mathara road (as known as “Mahawela Road”) and drive 4 km         

                    and ask some fellow where is Unawatuna. (Well, asking or talking with a Sri Lankan 

                    is not a criminal!!! I have seen some foreigners who are very shy to talk with

                    Sri Lankans. I’m sure that the guy will show you the path with having a little smile :D  

                    and even sometimes invite you for the lunch!)

Known for   : Swimming, diving, snorkeling, etc

Size/Area   : mmm can’t say exactly, but its enough even for a plane full of tourists!!

Climate      :  mostly Sunny, but can be varied with the changes in weather.

Photo Gallery

Challenge from me:Just let me know how much time you can just staring in the beach looking

                                 at the waves without jumping into it, while your members are having fun in

                                 the water! :P 

Read More

Royal Botanical Garden, Peradeniya

Royal Botanical Garden, Peradeniya.

This is a famous place among the tourists. Even the Sri Lankans never forget to have a walk there when they are visiting somewhere in the Hill Cities.

I’m describing this at the start because; personally this is the best Garden in Sri Lanka for me. So I thought it would be nicer if I present you my favorites first!


Now I’ll let you a brief Introduction about the garden


Location         : Close to Kandy, in the Central Province


Known for     :  Unique flora

                         Collection of beautiful flowers like Orchids


                           Hundreds of medical plants
                           (you won’t feel nervous, because their names are labeled on themselves)


                          Beautiful sights of palm trees, almost like a fence made by palm trees


                           Large open area with feet-touching grass


                           The Herbarium just next to the garden




Size/Area       : about  147 acres 
                            ( you can understand that you should have a whole day to explore the whole garden)






Climate and    : 460 meters above sea level
Situation            200-day annual rainfall
                         (You should ask guide to find whether the conditions are good) 

Picture Gallery

Challenge from me: Try to find out: - 
                                   there is a classical Avenue of Palms  located in this Garden. 
One tree with a significant history is the Cannonball Would you believe? The tree was planted by King George V of the United Kingdom and Queen Mary in 1901. The tree is bent with its fruits, which look like cannonballs.
                                   Don’t ask your guide about this! He will show you it with in few seconds! So try yourself taking your own time :D
And let me know If you find it

Read More