Responsible Tourism Rewards Families Who Discover the Real Sri Lanka

The world is waking up to Sri Lanka. Evocatively described in Paul Theroux’s 1975 travel journal, “The Great Railway Bazaar”, it is once again captivating the imaginations of wanderers around the globe. Emerging from a 26 year civil war and the aftermath of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, it is now an island idyll for wildlife watchers and beach lovers, history buffs and honeymooners.

Sri Lanka’s Heritage Train. Credit: Sankara Subramanian

For families however, outside the non-descript southwest coastal resorts which could be anywhere on earth, Sri Lanka is still uncharted territory. And it’s somewhere that responsible tourism can take young travellers on a real journey to remember.

For families the ease of an all-inclusive resort can be hard to ignore, and it’s something the tourism industry shouts loudly about. Kids clubs with organised activities give parents time to chill-out in the adult-only pool, restaurants serving a selection of food keep fussy eaters fuss-free and enclosed surroundings mean little exposure to any kind of culture shock. However, less is said about how responsible tourism can also guide a family through the holiday of a lifetime; swapping swimming pools for spotting wild elephants and all-inclusive hotels for homestays. We believe this should sound exciting rather than daunting for parents, and our latest 2 minute travel guide shows just how family-friendly Sri Lanka can really be.

Yes, the beaches are idyllic, but for me stepping off the soft sand and into the real Sri Lanka offers an unparalleled chance for children to get closer to nature, culture, and other young people. Meeting peers in another country, appreciating the differences in culture and more importantly understanding the similarities between us is an important and eye opening experience for younger minds. And it’s fun. Homestays make this type of cultural exchange easy and for adults concerned that the experience will be awkward, children can be a fantastic ice-breaker. Turn up with a cricket bat and ball and friends of all ages will be made very quickly, whatever the language barrier.

It’s not just a unique cultural experience which responsible tourism offers families, but also the chance to adventure, explore and discover together. Places such as Little Adam’s Peak, baby brother to one of the island’s highest mountains, offer adventures of a smaller size but no less real. Younger children can get an insight into hiking and experience the thrill of reaching the summit to stare over sweeping tea plantations, yet over a shorter, gentler, but no less spectacular distance. More adventurous, older children will love taking their parents white water rafting along the Kelani River rapids at Kitulgala, or lead them on a cycle trip through the coastal wetlands of the Bundala National Park.

Of course, children and parents alike will be drawn to Sri Lanka’s soft sandy beaches and blue waters, and it would be a shame to completely discount the island’s But rather than hole up in a multinational resort, embrace the real coastal srilanka.
Head north or north east to really escape the crowds, otherwise look for small, locally run accommodations in quieter corners of the more popular southern beaches. Sheltered bays, away from strong rip tides along the southern coastline, are the best, safest places for children to swim.

Sri Lanka rewards families who make the effort to discover the country beyond the all inclusive beaches. Responsible tourism rewards families who make this effort too. In our haste to make things easy, to remove any element of stress from a family holiday we often overlook the more authentic, more immersive experiences. However, as is demonstrated in Sri Lanka, these are the experiences which can bring a family together and can give them the chance to build bonds based on learning, exploring and stepping out of the comfort zone together. Choose a good, responsible tour operator which doesn’t try to pack too much in, and a trip to the real Sri Lanka can be just as relaxing as one to its beaches.

source: Huffpost Lifestyle 

Negombo; Sri Lanka’s Little Rome

Rome in Sri Lanka???

Yes.

It’s called Negombo.

Negombo is located on the west coast of the island, near the mouth of the Negombo Lagoon, in the Western Province of Sri Lanka. It is the fifth largest city in the country after Colombo – the capital, Kandy, Jaffna and Galle. It is one of the major commercial hubs in Sri Lanka consisting of about 128,000 inhabitants in the city limits, and located approximately 35 km north of the Colombo city.  And it is conveniently located within 7 kilometers from the Bandaranaike International Airport in Sri Lanka.

Negombo has a charming old fishing village atmosphere with busy fish markets and golden sandy beaches. Few fail to fall in love with the outrigger canoes and catamarans that sail past the main hotel stretch daily.

Negombo has a majority of Roman Catholics along with Buddhists, Hindus and Muslims. The highly ornate Portuguese-era Roman Catholic churches are found within the township. In town there are ruins of an old Dutch fort. Main attractions in the city are the old Dutch fort gate built in 1672 – which is now a part of the prison, the Dutch Canal – which was then a supply route to the Dutch administration, old churches and fishing villages. Due to these reasons people used to call Negombo as “Little Rome”.

Catamaran

Negombo fish market

Things to do when you are in Negombo

• Visit Negombo city, Visit Fish market & a Fishing village.
• Visit the old Church
• Take a Boat Tourfrom the Muthurajawela Visitor Centre, located down a stretch of Dutch    Canal.
• Special Seafood Dinner
• Visit thelarge temple called Angurukaamulla in Negombo
• Kayaking and Canoeing

 

 

 – Kalani Bandaranayake

 

It’s COLOMBO, the commercial capital of Sri Lanka

Let’s me start from the commercial capital of the Country. It’s COLOMBO.

Colombo is the largest city in the country. It is located on the west coast of the island, bordering Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte, which is the official administrative capital of Sri Lanka.

Colombo History

The name “Colombo” is derived from the word “Kolomthota (Sinhalese name) and was first introduced by the Portuguese in 1505. It was also known to Indians, Greeks, Persians, Romans, Arabs, and Chinese traders for well over 2,000 years.

Colombo possesses a natural harbor. And it’s the largest port in sri lanka as well as south asia.

Climate

Colombo consists of a tropical climate and the temperature ranges from 20-35 Celsius throughout the year. But in the monsoon period, which falls from May to August, and October to January, heavy rains can be expected.

Attractions

Colombo is blend of colonial buildings, ruins and modern life. And also city has many canals and, in the heart of the city, Beira Lake is one of the most unique landmarks of Colombo.

Galle Face Green – Galle Face Green is a stretch of green space boardwalk located in the heart of the city along the coast bordering the Indian Ocean, and is a popular destination for tourists and residents alike. The Galle Face Hotel is a historic landmark on the southern edge of this boardwalk.

Gangaramaya Temple – Gangaramaya Temple is one of the most important temples in Colombo. In this temple you can see varied mix of Sri Lankan, Thai, Indian, and Chinese architecture.

Independence Square – Is a national monument in Sri Lanka. This was built on February, 1948 after the independence was gained from the british rule. Independence Square is located in Cinnamon Grand.

Colombo Light House – The tower is located in the intersection of Chatham Street and Janadhipathi Mawatha in Colombo Fort. It was initially invented as a clock tower and the lantern was added after a few years.

National Museum Sri LankaThis was founded by the British governor, Sir William Henry. It’s a colonial type mansion with Italian architecture.

Pettah Market – The Pettah Market has an atmosphere like the ‘China Street’ in Bangkok or Singapore. It is Located on Olcott Mawatha Road beside the Fort Railway Station. You could buy virtually anything from here ranging from electronics, clothing items, souvenirs, to food items. Electronic items like speakers, fans, phones, etc., are of course mainly imported from China. This is a great local market with cheap products, and the sales representatives will try to rip you off so please be ready for a bargain. The place can be very crowded and noisy. This is the go to place if you are looking for cheap souvenirs. It is nothing like you will experience in Europe.

They have separate bi-streets with shops which are specialised a certain set of products, i.e. textile materials in one street, and stationery items in another street, etc.
With a bit of careful surveying and a little bit of bargaining knowledge I would still recommend to do most of Sri Lankan shopping here.

Floating Market Complex – The Floating Market which sits between the long distance private bus terminal in Pettah and the Fort railway station contains 92 stalls including refreshment stalls and a restaurant. The first of its kind market in the country, the Floating Market will offer people a unique shopping and dining experience.

Shopping in Colombo

Larger scale shopping is also available for the shopping enthusiast. If you are travelling to Sri Lanka you must visit the Barefoot in paradise road. You can buy some unique souvenirs. There are a few shopping malls worth visiting such as Crescat Boulevard, Majestic City , and the newly opened Arcade Independence Square. These larger malls feature clothing stores, restaurants, supermarkets, and cinemas.

Sri lanka is famous for “Ceylon Tea”. You can find out many tea shops around Liberty Plaza, the World Trade Center, and the airport. Another good option is Mlesna Tea, with shops at the Hilton, Crescat Boulevard and the airport.

– Kalani Bandaranayake

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