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Sri Lanka
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| Sri
Lanka, a sparkling jewel in the Indian Ocean,
has welcomed visitors over more than twenty-five
centuries. Natural beauty is everywhere,
from sapphire sunlit seas, verdant tropical
lowlands, scenically dramatic highlands, to sun
drenched unspoilt beaches. Its deep
history is documented in magnificent
masterpieces of architecture, art and sculpture,
whilst ancient fortresses and places of worship
add testimony to the rich culture. |
| Sri Lanka offers a
holiday experience for everyone. There is
the simplicity of relaxing around the pool or on
the beach at one of the many fine hotels, to
journey back in time and travel by train on the
Viceroy Express through the highlands, climb the
steps of the mighty rock at Sigiriya and
discover the fortress many regard as a wonder of
the world, or choose the excitement of
white-water rafting, kayaking, rock-climbing or
fishing. |
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And if your
appetite yearns for more, play a round or two of
golf on Sri Lanka's challenging courses, explore
exhilarating rock caves and maybe take a safari
in Yala or one of the many other National Parks.
Here, herds of elephant, sambur, wild buffalo,
leopard, sloth bear, spotted mouse and barking
deer, many species of monkey, giant squirrel and
numerous amphibians can be found enjoying a
peaceful, danger-free existence. |
| There are also 242
recorded species of butterfly, 468 species of
birds and 2250 species of flowering plants to
lookout for. And surely, after so much
activity a little pampering in a Ayurvedic Spa
would not go amiss. |
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Colombo
Colombo is an
intriguing mix of old and new, east and west.
European colonial mansions, Buddhist and Hindu
temples, mosques, quaint old gem and handicraft
boutiques, noisy bazaars and colourful street
markets contrast with the modern steel and glass
high-rise buildings, the air conditioned
shopping malls and deluxe hotels.
There is much to see and do in Colombo.
Shopping is excellent and at very attractive
prices. Gems are a renowned world over
good buy and so are batiks, curios, designer
clothes, hand-painted ceramics and wood
carvings. So, you will be able to buy all
those gifts for friends and family. You
can also visit a tea auction, the Dehiwela Zoo
with its dancing elephants and the botanical
gardens. Or take time out and tee off on
the sculptured lawns of the Royal Colombo Golf
Course. At night, visit one of the many
fine restaurants serving an exotic array of both
local and international cuisine. And if
the heart is strong, party on at one of the
international nightclubs or casinos. |
Southern Beaches
Some of the island's finest and most accessible
tropical beaches lie along the southern coast.
Some only a short drive from Colombo's city
centre. Many are fringed by colourful
underwater coral reefs and offer a wide choice
of premium diving opportunities with reefs,
rocks and submerged wrecks.
Beruwela is adorned with a cluster of
tiny, protected bays that offer year-round safe
sea-bathing. |
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Bentota where sea meets river offers
unending opportunities for water-sports and
whale and dolphin watching excursions.
Hikkaduwa offers a magical
submarine wonderland of coloured coral and
jewel-hued fish in its marine sanctuary.
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Ancient
Cities, Nature & Hill Country
Sri Lanka's two
thousand year history can be seen in the stone
and plaster of an abundance of impressive
monuments in ancient capitals and fortresses.
The hill capital of Kandy
is set amid lush mountains by the side of the
Mahaweli river. A cultural centre, it is
famous for the temple of Dalada Maligawa holds
the Sacred Tooth Relic of the Duddha.
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Moated. turreted
and shining in its golden-roofed glory, the
temple is a fine example of ancient Buddhist
heritage. Kandy is also renowned for its
magnificent Royal Botanical Gardens and only a
short distance outside the town is the
challenging Victoria Golf Club. |
| The scenically
beautiful hill resort of Nuwara
Eliya was developed by the British in the
19th century to the design of an English country
village. Here, you can take 'afternoon
tea' in style, after perhaps a round of golf on
the very testing course laid out by the Gordon
Highlanders stationed here in 1889. |
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Sigiriya is the stunning
5th century rock fortress hideaway of the
fugitive king. This citadel of unusual
beauty rising 200 metres from the scrub jungle
was the innermost stronghold of the 70 hectare
fortified town. A moat, rampart and
extensive gardens including the water garden, a
UNESCO Heritage site, ring the base of the rock
and the world-renowned frescoes of the 'Heavenly
Maidens' still glowing with colour can be
reached by a spiral staircase. |
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Polonnaruwa,
a well-preserved medieval capital, has a
haunting ambience of grandeur and many
treasures; among them the Gal Vihare sculptures,
the Lotus Bath, the Stone Book and the Parakrama
Samudraya, a 12th century irrigation lake. |
| Built in the 1st
century BC, Dambulla Rock Temple
is a world heritage site and the most impressive
of Sri Lanka's cave temples. The caves
contain 150 Buddha images, the largest a
colossal figure carved out of rock spanning 14
metres. |
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