sri lanka

maree

Last Christmas, I froze my ass off in North India; suffered a load of transport delays; and got sick. So this Christmas have decided to go somewhere warm/try somewhere new and will head to Sri Lanka (and save India for July/August). So just thought I’d see if I can get any advice from those of you who have been to Sri Lanka.

Will head from Colombo to Kandy and from there I thought I’d see a few ancient cities/sites… maybe Polunnaruwa or Sigiriya or both… how do they compare with Anuradhapura? What about the caves at Dambulla, i.e. comparable to Ajanta/Ellora (which I’ve already been to)?

Then thought I’d go down to Ella/ Adam’s Peak/ Horton Plains… any recommendations here?

Wildlife place? Uda Walawe or one of the other parks?

Then finish up on a beach in the south, relax and maybe learn to surf (eastern beaches not possible then because of monsoon)… best beach for this?

Any other ideas for things I must do? … bearing in mind that I only have just over two weeks and then I have to go back to work…. Luckily Sri Lanka is a pretty small country compared to India and I’ve been told it’s quite easy to get around.

Thanks very much
Maree

chathuri

I'm writing from Sri Lanka..
Sigiriya is more close to Ajantha than Dambulla, and don't miss Sigiriya. Both Polonnaruwa and Anuradapura are ancient cities. Pollonnaruwa can be coverd by one day, because most of the ruins are at close to gether, while Anuradapura takes more than one day...if you happen to be at Anuradapra, don't miss Jethawanaramaya.
Hortan plains(Maha Eliya) is the best from the three and Adams peak (Sri Pada) is the second best. But don't visit Sri Pada unless you are prepared to climb all the way up..it will take 5-6 hours, and don't go during week ends where lot of locals go there to worship. Ella is a quiet town..ideal to relax after a long journey..you can visit Ravana water fall.
Ella is accesible by train .You can book a railway ticket in a up-country train. You will come a cross some good scenaries. Don't go with out booking a first calss ticket. Trains are usualy crowded.
Yala is the best wild park during this season. You can find accomadation at Thissamaharamaya. Don't miss Bundala. It's close to Yala and ideal for birds watching.

maree

Thanks very much, Chathuri... much appreciated.

volga_volga

If near Sigiriya/Dambulla don't miss theKandalama Hotel , one of the best hotels I have ever stayed and "one of the most beautiful hotels in the world" at a bargain rate of $80 or so (if booked via Internet). If I ever return to S Lanka (unlikely ) I will definitely make sure I'll come back to that hotel.

Also a perfect spot for honeymoon.

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seventies'hippy

Yes I agree with VV,I think it also won some kind of world eco award, one side of the hotel is built into a natural cliff face and the pool on the rooftop is one of those infinity ones, which visually seems to blend into the distant lake, You can also go on elephant jungle safaris from there,

Happy Travelling

volga_volga

and here is this swimming pool (sorry seventies', can't make it flashy like your pics, for eg how do you make a fish jump out of the water??):

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seventies'hippy

volga_volga said how do you make a fish jump out of the water??

Like this,,,,,,,,

click the thumbnail

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abracax

Sounds like you are planning to retrace my own trip to Lanka, a few years back. I didn't make it to Anuradhapura because of the war, but the rest of the places you mention are must-sees. Also, the coral beaches in the south (e.g. Hikkaduwa) are worth a gander, despite the infestation of European package tourists. Two things worth checking are: 1) have they removed the scaffolding from the Gal Oya buddhas (at Polonnaruwa) - some friends came back from there a few months back and were very disappointed by the mess; 2) will you be visiting Adam's Peak during the annual pilgrimage season - it is the best time to do the night-time climb since the local infrastructure is operating and you will have lots of company.

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maree

Thanks everyone. Friends of mine stayed at the Kandalama last year and said it was great... the room rates quoted on their website start at $110 though so I don't know if that's going to work for me... will let you know.

Cheers

volga_volga

yep booking with the hotel directly is more expensive than through a booking agent, i got $80 rate (vs over $100 quoted by the hotel) through a web site which I can't remember the name of but it was something like www.asiahotelsbooking.com or one of these, they all use Stayx.com hotel booking database (I am always referred to the same window) and they require 2 days to receive confirmation from the hotel and it worked well for me.

chathuri

Adam's Peak annual pilgrimage season is from Dec Full moon to April Full moon.

chathuri

for a glimplse of Sri Lanka visit www.mithila.gfoto.com