Top tips for a visit to Sri Lanka

I haven’t been everywhere in the world yet. but it’s on my bucket list. Some of my favourite places have been the ones that are most unlike the United Kingdom and while that might not be everybody’s cup of tea. I find the cultures, religions, food and habits of the local people amazing in every way.

Sri Lanka is not just about Colombo. Although cruise ships dock in the capital, very few people get to experience the real Sri Lanka. When you visit Sri Lanka why not take a look at heading to Pinnawala elephant orphanage. The drive there is an experience in its own right, with cows in the street, the occasional monitor lizard blocking the route and heaven forbid a bull elephant who has lost his way. When I visited Pinnawala I saw the elephants taking a bath in the river, playing football and one or two of the artistic elephants, painting art at an easel with a paintbrush.  The people of Sri Lanka are so friendly and the guides are full of insights into their way of life. It truly is one destination where Shore excursions are well worth the money.

Ceylon as it was known as  before independence, is probably most famous worldwide for its tea.  The iconic pictures of tea pickers in the wet and humid mountain areas of Sri Lanka with their colourful sarees, and their baskets of tea on their back. This is the picture that most people associate with Sri Lanka.  The men and women that pick tea, earn very little money, start very early in the morning and work until the job is done. Working in the factory on the tea plantations is no less arduous a task. From the noisy machines that shake the leaves and sort them into different grades of tea, right the way through to probably the best job which is selling the tea to the tourists. I really enjoyed this tour and will never drink a cup of tea without thinking of my visit to Sri Lanka.

While there are tours in the capital of Colombo, these excursions take you around the main historical and religious sites within the city. Personally I prefer the option of a tuk-tuk ride with a local driver who normally speaks very little English. But each driver has his own ideas of what the highlights of his city are.  My friends and I had one very special tuk-tuk ride where we insisted on eating local. This would not necessarily be recommended by the ship but street food is truly a way of experiencing how the locals live. When we arrived at the tiny backstreet cafe we were the only western people in sight. Nobody in the cafe spoke English and we ordered by pointing at the various dishes on display. We ended up with a truly magnificent meal of fish, rice, flat breads and various vegetable curry dishes.  although none of us have any idea what the dishes were called we still have the best memories of this day out and laugh about them on a regular basis.

If you are thinking about a cruise heading down to Sri Lanka give me a call, I have the insight knowledge and expertise to get you the best experience that you can possibly have. My direct number is 03333002480 or you can email me on [email protected]