What can we tell you about this surprisingly hidden paradise? These words below, written from a perspective of awe and wonder, might shed a little light - nothing more.

Gaining independence from the Brits over 50 years ago English is widely spoken everywhere with the exception of remote villages. There is often no shortage of the older generation who will share their thoughts about the 'good days' speaking in a startling Dickenisan style. Of the 'marvellous' gifts of colonialsim the Brits left behind, Cricket and Tea are probably the best known. The Sri Lankans now usually thrash the English on 'the hallowed turf' and early 'retired' batsmen usually slurp a 'cuppa' fresh from the cool hills of Nuwara Eliya and around.

It is sometimes said, particularly when getting engaged, that the best presents come in small parcels. Sri Lanka, being a compact version of its vast neighbour fulfils this prophesy. It really is the 'tear drop jewel in the India Ocean'.
The Isle of Serendipity - a diverse and fertile land, that has it all.

Preserved cultural sites dating back to BC with meticulously maintained museums and stories of ancient royalty's shenanagans - of intrigue and skuldugery. Plus ca change!

Massive games parks teeming with croc, bird life, sloth beer, flora, deer, and the magnificent and sacred elephant. The shy leopard appears just enough to warrant a visit.

In the cooler air of the hill country green tea covers acres and acres of hillside in a lush carpet. Plantations offer must-do picking and tasting opportunities.

Adventurist junkies can be tickled with ballooning; white water rafting; mountain biking; hiking; climbing; and more.

There are miles and miles of soft sandy beaches that glisten in the sun. The sea is warm. Gorgeously, deliciously warm. It offers wind surfing; water skiing; deep sea fishing, scuba diving, and surfing.

Sri Lanka is as diverse in religions flourishing together as it is in flora and forna. Festivals abound.
In May the beautiful Vesak commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and death of The Lord Buddha. This 2-day festival sees villages decorated with huge panels showing the life of Buddha. Paper lanterns and oil lamps are lit around the island and puppet shows and open-air theatres take place.

On the Esala full moon - usually in July but sometimes in early August - the Kandy Esala Perahera takes place. The most important and spectacular festival in SL, it is the climax of 10 days and nights of increasing frenetic activity in Kandy. Thousands of dancers, drummers, and temple chieftains take part in the parade that also features 50 or more magnificently decorated elephants honouring the Sacred Tooth relic of the Golden Temple. Smaller peraheras are held at this time at other locations in the island, notably in Colombo at the Beira Lake Temple..

Also held in August in Kataragama, Hindu devotees put themselves through a whole gamut of ritual masochism. Some thrust skewers through their tongues and cheeks, others tow heavy carts or suspend weights from hooks piercing their skin. The grand finale is the fire walking ceremonies, as the devotees prance barefoot across beds of red-hot embers.
Towards the end of October / early November The Hindu festival of light, Deepavali, takes place. Thousands of flickering oil lamps celebrate the triumph of good over evil, and welcome Lakshmi - the Goddess of wealth.
Being predominately Buddhist following The Theravada (doctrine of the elders) the country follows a lunar calendar and each Full Moon day (Poya) is celebrated in some form. In addition there are approximately 15% Hindua, and together Christians and Muslims make up about 7.5%.

We will not talk about politics as why ruin a good day but instead focus on the ‘people.’ Perhaps it is because they have suffered so much or perhaps it is to do with the ‘Way to Nirvana’ as taught by The Buddha in the four noble truths:
- all life is suffering;
- this suffering comes from selfish desire;
- when one forsakes selfish desire suffering will be extinguished;
- the ‘middle path’ is the way to eliminate desire.
but whatever the reason you will be hard pressed to find a more friendly and generous group than Sri Lankans.

We leave you in the words of Marco Polo and our wishes that you will visit soon.
“On leaving the island of Andoman and sailing a thousand miles, a little south of west, the traveler reaches Ceylon, which is undoubtedly the finest Island of its size in all the world”.