A Sri Lanka Adventure

In late June 2018, we set off to the vibrant island of Sri Lanka, where we encountered some of the warmest people and richest culture we’d come across. Though quite varied in climate across the island, the weather there was definitely marked by the long hours of sunshine and calming sea breeze. When combined with its fresh and appetising cuisine, it definitely made for a very warm welcome! Perhaps the main takeaway from this stunning nation was its diversity; in people, in the landscape, in food and in its history.

(From misty hilltops to clear sandy beaches, Sri Lanka’s range of scenery was striking)

Arrival, Negombo & Colombo

After arriving at Bandaranayike International Airport, we made our way to the bustling capital Colombo, via Negombo. We met our lovely guide, Yata who stayed with us the whole way and never failed to impress with his knowledge of everything! When passing through Negombo, a colourful beach town, we enjoyed views of quaint Dutch colonial architecture, and a calm blue lagoon in the centre of the town.

At Colombo itself, we were greeted with lively roads and high buildings, typical of a large and busy capital. Though Sri Lanka’s recent history has been marred by the long and devastating civil war, the nation’s diverse religious groups, now largely live in harmony, especially in the south. The infrastructure in large cities also seemed to have made a strong recovery. Along the coast in central Colombo, we saw the construction of Port City, an artificial island which will feature hotels and commercial buildings when finished.

(An overview of Colombo’s coastline, with the large port city construction to the left)

Dambulla Cave Temples

Our destination today was the historic Dambulla Cave Temples. On our way there from Colombo we got our first proper glimpse of life in rural Sri Lanka; coconut trees and cinnamon plantations flanked the roads, and among them wandered a variety of wildlife. Our guide told us how much of a birdwatcher’s paradise Sri Lanka is, with 33 endemic species. The day we visited also happened to be around the time of Poson Poya, the most important full moon Buddhist festival in the Sri Lankan calendar. Because of this we encountered numerous alms givers on the roads, handing out food, drink and snacks to passersby.

The cave temples themselves were located on a hilltop with breath-taking views over the surrounding countryside. They’re a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with several chambers built under the natural cliff face. Each featured intricate roof paintings on plaster applied straight onto rock, and 153 statues of the Buddha and some Hindu deities. The most memorable was the enormous carving of the Buddha in the reclining position, hewn from the cliff face and painted in glittering gold. These temples date from the third century BC, constructed under King Valagambahu.

Polonnaruwa and Minneriya National Park

Today we set off to the medieval capital of Polonnaruwa, the crown jewel of the ancient King Parakramahabu I. Set over a large area, you can cycle or drive around the intricate medieval remains. We chose to cycle, and enjoyed a calm afternoon ride around this world heritage site. We saw towering Stupas, resting Buddha statues, elaborate irrigation canals and Hindu sculptures. In and among the sights were monkeys and lively celebrations for the Buddhist festival taking place that day. There was a strong religious mood around the gathering crowds, who enjoyed free food and drink as they celebrated.

Our second stop was Minneriya National Park, home to elephants, deer and birdlife. A must-see for wildlife enthusiasts, we enjoyed views of sweeping plains and lakes (the park is some 8,800 hectares) and animals of many shapes and sizes. Though the standout was perhaps the stunning gathering of elephant families around the water reservoir!