Serendipity in Sri Lanka
Today’s post is by Tom Armstrong.
Sri Lanka is often referred to as the most bio-diverse island of its size in the world and I am fortunate to have spent much of my adult life exploring its multi-faceted wonders.
After graduating from university in the UK I headed off to Sri Lanka on a volunteer placement as an English teacher in a rural school. What was supposed to be a three month stay has turned into five of the last ten years and I can’t see my fascination with the country or desire to be here waning any time soon.
Always Something New
Sri Lanka has something to appeal to every kind of traveller. From the mind-boggling ancient sites to the spectacular wild-life & natural beauty; visitors are rarely disappointed. The cities of the ‘Cultural Triangle’ will engage any ancient history buff (there are literally hundreds of sites beyond the famous sites of Anuradhapura, Sigiriya and Polonnaruwa). The national parks and bird sanctuaries spread throughout the island offer a dizzying variety of exotic flora and fauna to feast your eyes upon. The tea-covered central mountains add another spectacular (and tasty!) angle and the beaches that surround the island are some of the best in Asia.
My favourite element of travelling in Sri Lanka is that any kind of random exploration is rewarded. You never know what you will find but there will always be something unexpected, and usually the discovery will be fun-filled! Indeed, the term ‘Serendipity’ was first coined in relation to Serendib, one of Sri Lanka’s previous names.
A Country of Favourite Experiences
With the war in Sri Lanka finally over, many new areas of the country are opening up. The east coast has huge potential with a mix of great beaches, rugged National Parks, ancient historical sites and bustling towns.
It’s hard to narrow down favourite places or areas – there are simply so many astounding things to see and places to go. Personally, the remote Knuckles Mountains have a very special place in my heart. Wilpattu National Park, with its vast evergreen forests and diverse animal population is a place I will visit again and again. The experience of watching the sunrise from the top of Adam’s Peak has a mythical and spiritual dimension that’s impossible to deny and it’s easy to see why this place is sacred to all the 3 major religions of the country.
In some ways though it is journeys more than individual places that stand out most. The train ride from Kandy to Badulla, or the motorbike trip from Galle to Jaffna – both journeys that will live with me forever. The fact that there are very few signs anywhere means human interaction is an integral part of any journey and gives the place a very personable feel.
Mother Lanka
Sri Lanka has a rich history, with a range of social and cultural influences, all bringing a unique twist to this modern social cocktail. The Sri Lankan people are some of the friendliest, quirkiest and most welcoming on this earth.
You often hear the island referred to as ‘Mother Lanka’ and I find this name somewhat fitting, for the entire place has an Eden-like quality, sprouting life in so many weird and wonderful ways across it’s beautiful landscapes.
The country currently stands at a crossroads in its history and there has never been a better time to visit and explore it.
Tom works for Experience Sri Lanka, specialist travel group. He first fell in love with Sri Lanka in 1999 and hasn’t looked back since.
Andy’s Note: My favourite tea is Ceylon, which is from Sri Lanka. I have it nearly every morning, dutifully. 
So I was quite pleased to hear more about this mystical country, which is high on my must-see list.
Photos by DreamwizarD (sunset), rahuldlucca (Polonnaruwa), alessandro pucci (girl), anuradha (mountains)
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December 21st, 2009 at 3:02 pm
[...] to Sharing Travel Experiences – we had a guest earlier this year give us the insights on things to do Sri Lanka. And it’s no surprise Sri Lanka is first in my list, because not only is it on my bucket [...]