Islanderdiaries

HIKKADUWA

Hikkaduwa is a sea side resort town in southwestern sri lanka. It is known for strong surf and beaches, lined with restaurants and bars. The shallow water opposite Hikkaduwa Beach shelter the Hikkaduwa national park wich is cosanctuary and home to marine turtles exotic fish. Inland gangarama maha vihara is a Buddhist temple decorated hand painted murals.

ACTIVITIES

Morning leave for yala National park. Lunch enroute at Hikkaduwa or Galle. Proceed to Tissmaharama  / Yala.

NUWARAELIYA

Elevation 6,300 above mean sea level. It is home of finest tea. The vast “teascaes” the sight of the tea plucking women and the tea factories in sharp contrast to the neatly trimmed acres of green would be most fascinating. A whole English countryside has almost been transplanted here. Most of the houses, in styles are similar to that  of Georgian and queen Anne. The 18 hole Golf course is one of the most picturesque and challenge to many a champion. The “worlds End” a 90 degree vertical drop, haggala botanical gardens overlooking the conch shell shaped mountain range, sita Eliya are places worth visiting.

ACTIVITIES

Early morning visit Yala. After lunch leave for Nuwara Eliya. Overnight Nuwara Eliya.

HORTAN PLAINS

The Horton plains national park, a UNESCO world heritage is perched on the edge of the central highlands mindway between Nuwara Eliya  And  Hapatale , another hill country retreat, which consists of the highest plateau of sri lanka at 2000 feet and a paradise of bird watchers. Nature lovers and hikers. The precipice that falls vertically for over 1050 meters in the park at the park at the southern edge of the highlands to the lowlands below, called world’s End is an excursion that wouldn’t be missed at all by the holiday makers at Nuwara Eliya.

Since the grand view from the worl’d End is clouded with mist from loam onwards timing on arrival at the escarpment needs to be planned. Horton plains can be reached from haputale too.

ACTIVITIES

Morning sightseeing in Nuwara Eliya, tea gardens and misty mountains. Leave for Horton plains Nature Reserve. Visit Worlds End. Overnight Horton plains

CEYLON TEA MUSEUM

The Ceylon tea museum  is located at Hantane , 3 miles from kandy town. It is served by a motorable road that circles the museum, providing easy access. Adequate parking facilities are available for cars and tourist coaches. The museum consists of four floors and exhibits very old machinery used for audio visual presentations. A tea sales outlet and a deluxe restaurant occupies the fourth floor with a panoramic view of the hunnasgiriya, knuckles range and matale rage of hills which could be viewed from a telescope mounted on the floor .

ACTIVITIES

Morning leave for kandy  visiting a tea estate enroute. Sightseeing of sri    Lanka’s most beautiful city and cultural centre. Evening visit the Dalada Maligawa the golden roofed Temple of the sacred Tooth Relic of The Buddha. Overnight kandy.

POLONNARUWA

Polonnaruwa is the main town of Polonnaruwa district in north central province , sri lanka. Kaduruwela  area is the Polonnaruwa new town and the other part of Polonnaruwa remains as the royal ancient city of the kingdom of Polonnaruwa,

   The second most ancient of sri lanka’s  kingdom’s Polonnaruwa was first established by the 10^th century . the ancient city of Polonnaruwa was declared a world heritage site.

ACTIVITIES

Early morning proceed to polonnaruwa visiting the 5 c sigiriya Rock Fortress en rout. If time permits You may visit the Dambulla cave Temple. Overnight Polonnaruwa.

NILAVELI

Nilaveli beach is one of the purest white sand beaches in Asia .  thousands of both foreign and local guests visit Trincomalee and the Nilaveli beach. There are many reconstructions with new hotels emerging and the roads being newly done. Visiting pigeon island, going snorkeling in the nearby corals, and dolphin watching are some of the activities available .

ACTIVITIES

morning tour of the Medieaval capital. Leave for trincomalee with picnic lunch. Overnight Trincomall / Nilaveli.

BETTICALOA

The second biggest town in the East. You have to cross the lagoon to enter the town along a causeway and a bridge. Batticaloa town offers you many facilities, including good private hospitals. The dutch fort in batti, built in 1682, is still very formidable . the fort is occupied by government offices. You can walk into the fort. It is small but much nicer than that in trinco.

       Batticaloa can be reached by motor roads beginning with A1 and connecting to A6 A11 A15 via maradankadawala, habarana, Polonnaruwa and thirukkondaiadimadu.

ACTIVITIES

 In Trincomalee at leisure . on the beach & sightseeing.

SACREAD CITY OF ANURADHAPURA

The sacred city was established around a cutting   from the tree of enlightenment the buddha’s fig tree, brought tree in 3^rd century  B.C by sanghamitta, the founder of an order of buddhist  huns. Anuradahapura  the  ceylonesepolitical and religious capital that flovrished  for 1300 years was  a baundoned after an  invasion in 993. Hidden away in dense jugle for many years. The splendid site, with  its palaces, monasteries  and monuments is now accessible once again.

ACTIVITICE  

Morning leave for Anuradhapura (3 c.B.c.8. c A.D ). Late evening tour of the Ancient city. Overnight Anuradapura.

NEGOMBO

About an hour’s drive north from Colombo, Negombo is an  ideal travel sport for those on a short stopover since it’s located not far from the Bandaranaike international Airport. Negombo boasts some of the finest beaches in the country, and is blessed with bright sunshine and clear blue skies.

Much like bentota to the south of the south of the commercial capital, Negombo is flanked by the pristine waters of the Indian ocean and isideal to relax or indulge in a  tropical environment. Activities such as beach volleyball and water polo thrive on Negombo’s beaches and in dozens of swimming pools around town.

And when you,ve  had your fill of the beach, take a walk down the main street to sample a veritable smorgasbord of gastronomic adventures – especially of the shellfish kind. You can also fish , treat yourself to Ayurveda spa treatments or spend hours in delightful souvenir shops.

December to April is generally considered the ideal time to visit Negombo to avoid thunder showers and excessive sunshine .

ACTIVITICE 

Morning visit wilpattu National park with picnic Lunch. Proceed to Colombo/ Negombo/Colombo.

COLOMBO

Cosmopolitan city ever since it was discovered by portuguese  sailors back in 1505, Colombo has grown in popularity as a must-visit destination that offers visitors a gamut of attraction from the plush and glamorous to the regular and routine.

Cosmopolitan Colombo represents the perfect mix of commercial hype with shops galore, top- notch entertainment and blissful relaxation options, bringing  the best of the East and west to travelers and residents alike. From its towering skyscrapers in the old colonial fort to contemporary villas and geometrically shaped apartment structures, the city has it all.

ACTIVITIES

 sightseeing in Colombo and shopping.