HOT AIR BALLOONING SRI LANKA

Balloon flights are a great way to explore the landscape of the Cultural Triangle. (Hot Air Ballooning) Balloons that travel with the wind, make for one of the most surreal and tranquil sensations of flight. Following the initial adrenaline rush of the take off, one could settle down to absorb the wonder of the colorful earth below.

Balloons usually leave early in the morning from near the Kandalama Lake and take in the Dambulla Cave Temples and Sigiriya Rock. The season runs from October / November through to April and flights usually end with a champagne breakfast at the landing site. Trips are run by several tour companies including Adventure Asia, Eco Team and Sun Rise in Lanka Ballooning.

TRADITIONAL CRAFTS IN SRI LANKA

The diversity of traditional crafts is one of the main delights of shopping in Sri Lanka, with every region of the country specializing in a particular skill.

Ambalangoda, on the West Coast, is famous for the brightly painted hand-craved masks originally worn by low country dancers. In addition to several shops, the town has many workshops, such as the one attached to the Ariyapala & Sons Mask Museum where it is possible to observe artisans at work and buy from them directly.

In the south, Galle is famous for its shops selling beautiful lace and crochet work. Good quality leather goods can be bought in markets and streets stalls in Colombo and Negombo. Leather bags can be particularly good bargain if shoppers are willing to haggle. Popular with tourists and locals alike, the elegant Palmyra leaf bags can be found for sale in the markets in Jaffna. Kandy and its surrounds excel in lacquer ware and brass, wood and silver work. The markets here teem with objects such as tea sets, candlesticks and bowls adorned with fine carvings and inlay.

Sri Lanka is also known for high quality Batik an Indonesian art brought to the country by Dutch. Sarongs, table runners and wall hangings decorated with patterns ranging from Kandyan dancers to more abstract designs are specialties.

The government run chain of craft outlets called Laksala has fixed prices and several branches across Sri Lanka. The Kandyan Art Association is another government sales outlet that boasts a variety of goods and demonstrations of various crafts.

SRI LANKA GOLF HOLIDAYS

In the sporting arena Sri Lanka is well known for their prowess in sports like Cricket and Rugby and virtually unknown in the field of Golf. The island nation boasts of having 4 (four) 18 hole golf courses of which 3 (three) are the finest comparable to those in Asia.

Although the Dutch are considered to be one of the earliest players of golf and records show that they played golf on Colombo’s impressive Galle Face Esplanade during the mid-17th Century, it was actually some British golf enthusiasts who inaugurated the Royal Colombo Golf Club in 1879 which was then institutionalized in 1891. This is the second oldest golf course outside Britain.

Sri Lanka provides a perfect destination for a golf holiday with its world class golf courses, exotic landscapes and different climatic conditions. Since the 4 (four) golf courses are situated in Colombo, Kandy and Nuwara Eliya, golfers often comment that it is like playing in three different countries as the elevations and climatic conditions in each location differ from each other.

WEDDING IN SRI LANKA

If you dream of an unforgettable wedding ceremony amidst breathtaking scenery, let Absolute Lanka host your wedding in Sri Lanka.

With a variety of settings to choose from, one of our Agents is sure to match or even exceed your expectations. We can offer you a Sri Lankan beach wedding or the perfect tropical honeymoon Destinations.

In addition, we offer the warmth and hospitality of the Our Experience. Nothing is too difficult to arrange. Arrive at your wedding in unrivalled style-whether by boat, antique rickshaw or elephant; or create a menu that combines your favorite foods made in traditional Sri Lankan style. Our dedicated, friendly and knowledgeable personnel-from our imaginative and resourceful wedding planners, our talented team or the rest of our warm and hospitable staff – can create a unique wedding in Sri Lanka that forever captures your hearts.

SRI LANKA GEMS

The country is famous for its precious and semi precious stones and shops selling gemstones and jewellery can be found all over. It is also possible to have a piece of jewellery made to specifications. Colombo has a number of jewellery shops on Sea Street in the Pettah and two floors of World Trade Center in Fort are dedicated to gems.

In the gem capital of Ratnapura visitors are likely to come across people trading gems on the streets, who often attempt to sell fake items. Do not succumb to any offers made by street side vendors, and purchase stones or jewellery only from a reputable dealer who has a proper license. Gemstones can also be verified for authenticity at a branch of the National Gem and Jewellery Authority, but customers are expected to buy the stone before the shop agrees to verification.

CYCLING SRI LANKA

Sri Lanka’s mountainous terrain offers cycling enthusiasts’ many opportunities to see the beautiful and awe-inspiring sights of the country. Cycling in the Central Highlands is rewarding with a view of the landscape studded with tea plantations running seamlessly over the ranges of hills, terraced rice cultivation and farmlands. The network of main roads and innumerable country roads, gravel paths, foot paths, cart tracks, dirt tracks and estate tracks make all corners of the small island accessible to the cycling aficionados holidaying in this island nation.

There are 4 (four) National Cycling Trails in Sri Lanka. They are located in contrasting geographical regions and have now been developed over routes which include the magnificent Central Highlands, the Cultural Triangle in the North Central Province, the southern coast up to Koggala and the Sabaragamuwa province at the foothills of the Central Highlands.

SRI LANKAN CUISINE

Sri Lankan cooking takes delicious advantage of the wide variety of native fruit and vegetables; as well as the many spices that grow in the island. Coconut and coconut milk are also major ingredients and are used in sweets, curries and relishes. Rice is a staple, with its flour forming the basis of many popular dishes such as dosas, which are pancakes often filled with spiced potatoes. Chicken, beef and pork are the main meats, although goat and mutton are also used. Fresh and dried seafood is, of course, plentiful.

Breakfast

String hoppers are messy balls of steamed rice noodles often eaten for breakfast in Sri Lanka along with a thin dhal curry. Rice flour pancake hoppers may also be served. Another popular breakfast dish is pittu – rice flour steamed in a cylinder with layers of grated coconut and served with coconut milk. Kola kenda is a herbal porridge made with rice and coconut.

Rice and Curry

The dish of “rice and curry” in Sri Lanka is rarely, if ever as simple as its name might be suggest. On the contrary it can be and frequently does, a veritable banquet comprise a large platter of rice surrounded by a number of smaller dishes made from vegetables, meat or fish and accompanied by chutneys, a sambol (relish) and poppadums. The smaller rice and curry dishes showcase the island’s spices, and will usually comprise such items as fish curry, dhal and curried okra or chili potatoes. Pumpkin curry is frequently served too, as is aubergine, but visitors may also come across such treats as curried mango or jackfruit. A popular relish is pol sambol, made from grated coconut, chili and salty shredded Maldive fish (cured and dried tuna) which has quite a kick to it. Seeni sambol is gentler and uses onion and tamarind for a sweet sour taste. The rice used is predominantly of the boiled white variety, but red rice is also served in some places.

No Sri Lankan curry is considered complete without fenugreek seeds, which add s slight note of bitterness to the dish. Sri Lanka also has its own version of curry powder, which can include coriander, cumin, fennel seeds, fenugreek and cardamom.

SRI LANKA CAMPING SAFARI TOURS

Sri Lanka is one of the most beautiful islands in the world and is a popular destination for those seeking a holiday with a difference. With its myriad hills, countryside, wildlife, indigenous birds and plants, there are many camping grounds in almost all parts of Sri Lanka. Camping Safaris are provided in all National Parks and Nature Reserves in Sri Lanka from one day Safari to few days Camping Safari Tours.

Some of the National Parks with camping sites are given here:

• Wilpattu National Park is located in the North Western and North Central Provinces and the unique feature of this park is the existence of natural, sand-rimmed water basins or depressions that fill with rainwater. There are 5 (five) available camp sites which are operated by Sri Lanka’s Wildlife Department and the best times of the year to visit are between February and June when the weather is good. Between July and September the weather is good but a bit dry while between October and January the weather is rainy.

• Gal Oya National Park is located in Badulla District with a part of it reaching Ampara District. There are 6 (six) available camp sites which are operated by Sri Lanka’s Wildlife Department and the best times of the year to visit are between February and June when the weather is good. Between July and September the weather is good but a bit dry while between October and January the weather is rainy.

• Kumana National Park is located in the South East area of the island. It shares a border with Yala National Park and was formerly known as Yala East National Park. There are 6 (six) available camp sites which are operated by Sri Lanka’s Wildlife Department and the best times of the year to visit are between February and June when the weather is good. Between July and September the weather is good but a bit dry while between October and January the weather is rainy.

• Knuckles Conservation Forest is located on the Knuckles mountain range, in the Central Highlands and is one of the World Heritage Natural Properties in the island. There are 4 (four) available camp sites which are operated by Sri Lanka’s Wildlife Department and the best times of the year to visit are between February and June when the weather is good. Between July and September the weather is good with strong winds but a bit dry while between October and January the weather is rainy.

• Bundala National Park is located in the Hambantota district. There are 2 (two) available camp sites which are operated by Sri Lanka’s Wildlife Department and the best times of the year to visit are between July and September when the weather is at its best and also because elephants gather during this season. Between February and June the weather is good while between October and January the weather is rainy.

• Kaudulla National Park is located in the North Central Province in the Polonnaruwa District. There are 2 (two) available camp sites which are operated by Sri Lanka’s Wildlife Department and the best times of the year to visit are between February and June when the weather is good. Between July and September the weather is good but a bit dry while between October and January the weather is rainy.

Also Possible to camp outside National Parks.

AYURVEDIC MEDICINE IN SRI LANKA

Sri Lanka’s traditional form of medicine, Ayurveda uses plants, herbs and oils in its treatments. Translated as the “Science of Life”, it works on the premise that the body is ruled by three doshas (humours): vata (air), pita (bile or fire) and kapha (phlegm or earth). In medical terms, these refer to the nervous, digestive and immune systems respectively. Toxins, poor diet, bad digestion, lack of sleep and excess stress cause an imbalance of the doshas and lead to poor health. Ayurvedic treatments aim to balance the doshas and thus, restore health. Ayurvedic physicians prescribe customized treatment plans that include a special diet, while Ayurvedic centers in mid and top range hotels offer practices aimed at relaxation, such as massages and skin treatments.

Ayurveda aims to eliminate the body’s toxins and balance its energy. Herbs, plants and oils are used to achieve this through treatments such as oil massages and steam baths. Ayurvedic therapies are believed to be beneficial for a range of medical conditions, including diabetes, high blood pressure, arthritis and skin ailments. They are also said to improve digestion and eyesight as well as slow the ageing process. Facial or head massages, steam baths and body wraps are ideal for reducing stress and detoxing. One of the best known treatments is shirodhara, which offers relief from stress and insomnia.