5 Reasons You’ll Fall in Love With Sri Lanka
Slightly under the radar with all of the culture, scenery, and food of its surrounding neighbours, Sri Lanka has so much to offer and experience in the south of Asia. Our Flightie Isabelle Pare visited this beautiful country with On The Go Tours and fell in love. Here are 5 reasons why you’ll fall in love with Sri Lanka, too.
I don’t know about you but hearing the country’s name for the first time years ago struck a chord with me. I didn’t know exactly where Sri Lanka was, which ocean it might be near, or what the food was like, but I knew I had to know more about it immediately. When I finally looked it up, I decided I had to be here – “here” was halfway around the world it turned out. This is my list of the top five things I fell in love with about Sri Lanka that you will too. I visited the sites with On The Go Tours and discovered a beautiful country. The tour itself was a seamless experience on its own and guided by knowledgeable tour leaders who showed us sides of Sri Lanka we would never have found on our own. (I definitely recommend doing a tour with On The Go for your next vacation!)
1. The Scenery
The natural beauty of this country is remarkable. It’s home to hundreds of species of plants and trees and has many lakes scattered over its valleys. Nature is predominate here because there are no highways, only single lane roads to travel all parts of the country.
2. The Wildlife
Sri Lanka is home to all kinds of wildlife including elephants, monkeys, jaguars, snakes, and birds. I was fortunate to do a Udawalawe N.P. Jeep safari to see the wildlife in their natural habitat. You must watch out for the monkeys, though! Our tour leader told us that they are opportunists, so if they see an open window or you flaunting a pastry – they will go for it. If you’re minding your own business, there’s nothing to worry about.
3. The Locals
On tour, we had an authentic local experience with a Kanyanwala village family. They showed us how they harvest their rice patties and guard their crops from elephants and other wildlife. It’s interesting to see the local’s way of life. Most of the roofs of the homes here are thatched with palm branches and the locals grow almost every fruit and vegetable locally, including okra! Speaking of which…
4. The Food
I’m a little bit of a foodie. I grew up with a pastry chef sister and a mom who could be a Top Chef if she ever wanted to be. A good home cooked meal was always on the table growing up. Nowadays, nothing beats trying local food and experiencing new flavours while abroad. My favourite meal might have been the one I ate with my hands as it was the most authentic feeling. All of my senses coming together, cooking the meal, smelling its aromas, feeling the food between my fingers and then tasting all of the flavours and textures. Another amazing food you must try is called Kottu. They make it by chopping up fine bits of roti bread with fresh vegetables, chives, and a ‘protein’ of your choice. Think spicy Sri Lankan pasta.
5. The Temples
Walking through the neighbourhoods, it’s hard to not want to stop every so often to admire the many beautiful mosques and temples in Sri Lanka. Discovering them is a full experience, serene, and enriching: waking up to the sounds of prayer at mosque, looking at Hindu temples up close to see the embellishments, deities, figures, and intricate ornamental decorations, Buddhist monks passing by in orange robes. It’s highly a must-see and worth the visit alone.
Sri Lanka is an experience unlike any other. It’s not the largest tourist draw at the moment which is perfect because you’ll get to see a part of the world off the beaten path, and discover its authenticity and culture. I would go back in a heartbeat.
Looking for more information on Isabella’s top 5 reasons to visit Sri Lanka? Ask a Travel Expert. You can connect with Isabella online, or visit her in-store.
About the Author
Emma Hackwood a freelance copywriter, amateur glider pilot and full-time adventure seeker, has travelled extensively in pursuit of her lifelong dream of simply seeing it all. Up to over 50 countries, she lists American Samoa and the seldom visited Marquesas Islands as her current favourite destinations, with a wandering eye on Guam and Tonga to complete her Pacific escapades.
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