Discover-SriLanka: October 2012

DISCOVER - SRI LANKA: PROLOGUE

IN PRAISE OF MY BEAUTIFUL ISLAND,

INFORMATION, PHOTOGRAPHS AND VIDEO.

THE 13th CENTURY VENETIAN TRAVELER MARCO POLO DESCRIBED THE ISLAND AS 'THE JADE PENDANT IN THE INDIAN OCEAN'. THE ABUNDANCE OF GEMSTONES, SPICES, RAIN FORESTS AND WILDLIFE; THE MAGNIFICENT BEACHES, ANCIENT RUINS AND A WRITTEN HISTORY OF OVER 2500 YEARS MAKE THIS ISLAND A TOURISTS' PARADISE.

THE RUINED CITIES OF ANURADHAPURA AND POLONNARUWA ILLUSTRATE THE GLORY OF THE ANCIENT KINGDOMS. THE GIGANTIC STUPAS AND BUDDHA STATUES ARE AMONG THE BIGGEST MAN MADE STRUCTURES OF THE WORLD. THE MASSIVE RESERVOIRS, BUILT BY ANCIENT KINGS TO IRRIGATE THOUSANDS OF ACRES OF LAND, ARE MARVELS OF HYDRO ENGINEERING. THERE ARE EIGHT UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITES IN SRI LANKA

THE ISLAND WAS KNOWN TO THE GREEKS AS 'TAPROBANE' AND TO THE ARABS AS 'SERENDIB'. EARLY MERCHANTS VISITED THE ISLAND IN SEARCH OF GEMSTONES AND SPICES, MAINLY CINNAMON AND PEPPER. COFFEE AND TEA PLANTATIONS WERE STARTED BY THE BRITISH COLONIAL RULERS. CEYLON TEA IS FAMOUS THE WORLD OVER.

TOURISM INDUSTRY IS A MAJOR MONEY SPINNER FOR THIS BEAUTIFUL ISLAND. THE VAST EXPANSE OF BEACHES, RAIN FORESTS AND NATIONAL PARKS WITH HERDS OF WILD ELEPHANTS, THE CENTRAL HIGHLANDS WITH LITHE WATER FALLS, BRING IN THE TOURISTS. THE ISLAND IS DOTTED WITH HUNDREDS OF HOTELS TO ACCOMMODATE THE TRAVELER. AN ISLAND OF 25,000 SQ; MILES HAS 103 RIVERS AND 25000 RESERVOIRS, MOSTLY MAN MADE. WITH VARYING CLIMATIC CONDITIONS THIS IS TRULY A 'SMALL MIRACLE'.

" THE ISLAND OF SRI LANKA IS A SMALL UNIVERSE, IT CONTAINS AS MANY VARIATIONS OF CULTURE, SCENERY AND CLIMATE AS SOME COUNTRIES A DOZEN TIMES ITS SIZE........I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THAT THERE IS ANY COUNTRY WHICH SCORES SO HIGHLY IN ALL DEPARTMENTS - WHICH HAVE SO MANY ADVANTAGES AND SO FEW DISADVANTAGES. LOVELY BEACHES, BEAUTIFUL LANDSCAPES, IMPRESSIVE RUINS, A VIBRANT CULTURE AND CHARMING PEOPLE- NO WONDER SRI LANKA IS A SMALL MIRACLE ".***** Arthur C. Clark *****

30 October, 2012

SRI LANKA - FRUITS [ GRAVIOLA ]

Graviola or Soursop is a common fruit that has a high content of vitamin C

in the edible white pulp of the fruit. Scientific research has found that the consumption of the fruit inhibits the growth of cancer cells.

Graviola fruits

Graviola flowers

Pics by : Nelsonlanka

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27 October, 2012

SRI LANKA - KANDY [ THE MOST VISITED CITY ]

In a recent survey Kandy was selected as, the most visited city by tourists, in the Island. The cool climate of this Hill country location and the many historical sites and the beauty of the setting of this ancient Capital may have contributed immensely to achieve this distinction.

Pics show hand crafted wooden elephants in a window of a souvenir shop in the city.

Pics by : Nelsonlanka

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24 October, 2012

SRI LANKA - SUNDAY SCHOOL

Religious education is offered at every temple on Sundays and students attend classes in traditional attire. Education in Sri Lanka is free, from Grade one to University level and all school children are provided with text books and school uniforms, free of charge, by the State. Photographed at the Mahiyangana temple.

Pics by : Nelsonlanka

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23 October, 2012

SRI LANKA - LONELY PLANET [ HOTTEST DESTINATIONS FOR 2013 ]

Sri Lanka was named as the number one country in the world to visit next year. With the long-running civil war now over and visitor numbers increasing, Sri Lanka is emerging as one of the world's best-value destinations, Lonely Planet said. The country is becoming easier to reach due to cheap fares from regional hub Bangkok.

Read more: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/travel/worlds-hottest-destinations-for-2013-contain-aussie-surprise-20121018-27tdl.html#ixzz2A53NbtWi

SRI LANKA - WHERE TO GO IN : 2013

Serenity returns to Serendib .........

Click to read :

Where to go in 2013: Sri Lanka

21 October, 2012

SRI LANKA - KANDY [ TEMPLE ELEPHANT RAJA ]

The tusker named Raja participated in religious processions, of the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, Kandy, for a period of about fifty years. This elephant was donated to the Temple by a Kandyan dignitary in 1937 and after his death in 1988, the clever hands of the taxidermist turned the elephant to an exhibit admired by visitors to the Temple.

Pics by : Nelsonlanka

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18 October, 2012

SRI LANKA - KANDYAN DANCERS AND DRUMMERS

This dance form originated in the Kandy region [up country] and it is performed whilst reciting sweet verses called Vannams, there are 18 Vannams in all describing the movements and behavior of animals, serpents, birds etc: etc:. The elaborately designed costume and head gear of a Kandyan or up country dancer with beads covering the chest area add glamour to this dance.The rhythmic movements and beating of drums associated with this ancient dance form make it unique.

Photographed at a religious procession in a Kandyan village.

Pics by : Nelsonlanka

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16 October, 2012

SRI LANKA - PAINTINGS [ BY CHANNA ]

A brush, paint and a clever hand, Channa goes again !

Paintings by : Channa Gorokgahagoda

15 October, 2012

SRI LANKA - DISCOVER-SRILANKA [ 100,000 PAGE VIEWS ]

Discover - Sri Lanka reached 100,000 page views today, publishing 381 posts with over 800 photographs in 3 years, 2 months and 19 days.

Thank you for your patronage, comments [ brickbats and bouquets ] and photographs.

13 October, 2012

SRI LANKA - DUTCH BAY [ KALPITIYA ]

Dusk at Dutch Bay Kalpitiya, Sri Lanka, 6th October, 2012. Sand dune adventure by Little Adventures, untouched photographs show the splendor of the sky over this part of the Island.

Pics by : Ashan

Little Adventures

11 October, 2012

SRI LANKA - MONKEYS

Visitors to the Temple of The Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy are greatly amused by the antics of the monkeys living in the vicinity, they feed on the flowers and tender leaves of the many trees surrounding the temple and handouts from passersby who are amused by their eccentric behavior. Pictures show a family in the shade and an aggressive adult with with a fresh scar on its face.

Pics by : Nelsonlanka

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08 October, 2012

SRI LANKA - IN MY MOTHER'S GARDEN

I am never short of subjects to focus on and click the shutter, ' In my mother's garden '.

Pics by : Nelsonlanka

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05 October, 2012

SRI LANKA - ROADS [ 18 BENDS ]

The much talked about 18 bends, and the road between Kandy and Mahiyangana was reconstructed at a cost of 5000 million rupees and opened to the public a few months back. Now drivers do not have to reverse the vehicles to manoeuvre the sharp bends. This newly re-engineered highway now boasts safety and environmental features, now it's a stunning journey from Kandy to Mahiyangana.

Pics by : Nelsonlanka

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02 October, 2012

SRI LANKA - MAHAWELI [ DROUGHT STRICKEN ] ]

The longest river of the Island, flowing from the central hills, is reduced to a trickle due to the severe drought. Photographed from the Mahiyangana bridge, in September, 2012.