Discover-SriLanka

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 *****

12 November, 2012

SRI LANKA - ROADS [ TRAFFIC ON 18 BENDS ]

Video of traffic on the reconstructed Kandy - Mahiyangana road.

Filmed by : Nelsonlanka

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08 November, 2012

SRI LANKA - MAHIYANGANA TEMPLE

The Mahiyangana temple is believed to be the site of The Buddha's first visit to the country. The Sthupa stands at a height of 120 feet and a decorative gateway adorns the entrance to the temple.

Pics by : Nelsonlanka

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05 November, 2012

SRI LANKA - DUTCH BAY [ KALPITIYA ]

All wheel drive sand dune adventure at Kalpitiya, Sri Lanka, by Little Adventures. An unforgettable weekend recreational activity.

Pics by : Ashan

Little Adventures

02 November, 2012

SRI LANKA - NUWARA ELIYA

Nuwara Eliya, founded by Sir Samuel White Baker in 1846, lies 6128 feet above sea level, has a cool salubrious climate and is also called Little England. Planters of the British colonial era started tea plantations in the area, the mist covered mountains and the scenic beauty of Nuwara Eliya has made it a popular holiday retreat.

Pics by : Ashan

Little Adventures

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