Sri Lanka

• 2.Asia

With a documented history spanning more than 3,000 years, Sri Lanka is a country of rich culture and historical heritage. The country's Buddhist temples are fabulous. I visited the Gangaramaya Temple in Colombo and the Temple of the Tooth in Kandy (the holder of the sacred relic of the tooth of Buddha).

There are a number of interesting attractions close to Colombo. I enjoyed the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage and the delightful Peradeniya Botanical Gardens. Visits to a tea factory and a herb garden in the Kandy area were very interesting and informative.

Main sites that I enjoyed in Colombo include Galle Face Green, Lotus Tower (351.5 metres tall), Viharahamahadevi Park, the National Museum of Colombo, Independence Square, Dutch Hospital, Portcity and Seema Malaka.

I also spent a few delightful days relaxing at the beach and enjoying excellent food in Bentota. A safari on the Bentota River was an outstanding experience with the river's lush vegetation and lots of wildlife viewing, such as many types of lizards, flying foxes, monkeys and a small crocodile.

The food in Sri Lanka is excellent - some of the best I've ever had in my life. Local specialties include a variety of delicious curries, papadum, watalappam dessert, arrack liquour and local black tea and coffee.

Additional info:
- country entry on Wikipedia
- country profile on Wikivoyage

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