- Five Sources of Sri Lanka Pride
- April 16, 2008 Filed under: About Sri Lanka, Activities, Arts & Culture, Birds, Elephants, Tea, Tourism, Travel, Trivia, Wildlife
While providing us with research and administrative support from her home country of the Philippines, Alfa Mercado has developed a sincere interest in Sri Lanka’s culture. She will contribute her observations here on occasion. This is her first post. –SK
Although warfare between the government and Tamil factions continues in the country, its violence hasn’t been able to tarnish the best of Sri Lanka, from world-class tourist attractions to diverse wildlife. Here are five among them.
Tea Time, the Old-Fashioned Way
Sri Lanka is known for its high-quality, full-flavored teas, which grow in sprawling plantations mostly in the elevated interior of the country at altitudes exceeding 4,000-feet. The original black teas of what was then called Ceylon, were planted in the mid-1800s after a devastating fungus destroyed much of the island’s coffee crops.The best teas of Sri Lanka come in exquisite golden shades and have a very strong flavor. Tea drinkers generally take black teas with a bit of milk while teas brewed from paler leaves are most often served straight.
The Golden Temple of Dambulla
This sacred area has been a pilgrimage center for more than twenty centuries for the Sinhalese of Sri Lanka. A cave monastery with five sanctuaries, the Golden Temple is also the country’s best-preserved and largest. Fascinating mural paintings cover much of its walls and huge Buddhist statues, numbering more than 150, are a spectacular sight to behold. (Photo by Joel Down.)Party at Kandy Esala Perahera
The Esala Perahera is the most important festival in Sri Lanka. Held in the ancient sacred city of Kandy, Esala Perhera takes place between July and August. The Buddhist festival lasts for ten days, and its procession consists of amazing fire dances and other cultural dances, whip crackers, and lavishly decorated elephants.The celebration commences with a blessed Jack tree being cut and planted in areas honoring the four guardian deities: Katharagama, Vishnu, Natha, and the Goddess Pattini.
A Glimpse of Wildlife
While Sri Lanka may not have an overly large land area, it is home to a vast array of wildlife. Besides the commonly seen elephants, the country is also home to several species of wildcats, including the popular leopard, approximately 400 different species of birds (nearly 30 of which can only be found in Sri Lanka), dolphins, whales, various endemic species of butterflies and amphibians, and many others. (Photo by Nitot via Flickr.) Sea, Summer, and Surf
Although many of its beaches had been ravished by 2004’s tsunami disaster, efforts to rebuild and restructure its once-vital tourism continue. Several areas, such as the famous Arugam Bay continue to draw tourists from around the world. Widely known as the place to go for surfers, Arugam often ranks high on “Ten Best” lists. Upon visiting Arugam Bay. (Photo by Cornish Travelers.)
Don’t surf? Don’t matter. tourists of any breed will be treated with beautiful sandy beaches and romantic lagoons, bird sanctuaries, wildlife parks, and other cultural sites. –Alfa Mercado
April 19th, 2008 at 2:02 pm
[…] made mention of the leafy product early in the week, but tea is such a staple of Sri Lankan trade and culture, […]