Sri Lanka
 

Not sure if this is in the right board - please move if not

Off for two weeks in Sri lanka - doing The buddhist tour but any other sites worth seeing here there is a lovely mosque in Colombo.

Also where can I get some phrases in sinhalise (?) for free - always one eye on the wallet LOL:thumbsup:

post pics please...xoxoxoo

would love to see some pics too!

sri lanka has some beautiful places to see depending on what you want to see!

have fun and report back with some snaps!

First and foremost, be careful. The country is in quite a rough situation right now, but I'm sure that you're aware of this. In the highly unlikely case that you're not, I urge you to check BBC for some info on the recent political and military happenings.

Also, I would love to see pictures, and read stories, give us a feel for how it was when you come back!
Take in the sights, it's quite a gorgeous country.

I will ask my Sri-Lankan friend for some useful Sinhalese phrases, and try to write down the correct pronunciation for you.

Actually...here: Sinhala Phrases

many thanks - will post photos
yes been watching with interest - to be honest friends are getting married there or the whole civil war thing would have stopped me going on grounds of my ethics - what can you do ?

nice link

I spent some time there when I was younger. There are some must see places, but if you are going on a Buddhist tour, then you will most likely be seeing the major destinations (the reclining Buddha in Polonnaruwa; the Aukana Buddha near Dambulla - significant now that the taliban destroyed the larger one in Afghanistan - ; the Bo Tree in Annuradhapura; the Temple of the Tooth in Kandy; and maybe even Adam's Peak)

But there are many Hindu sights to see as well such as the abode of the Hindu deity Katirkamen in the city of Kataragama. It's a 24/7 festival there.

There's also the ancient cities and fortresses themselves - Sigirya the main fortress.

Columbo is loud, congested and has lots to offer when shopping.

The beaches are vast, but usually frequented by Germans. (not that there's anythig wrong with that)


Try to visit the tea plantations up country. It's lovely, there are botonical gardens near the University of Peridinya, and the city of Nuwara Elya is notable due to the British nature of it's environment.

Here's some photos that I took:

Some tea picker ladies:

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d1...apickers-1.jpg

and the roadside scenery:


Devon Falls (Talawakelle)

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d1...lsSriLanka.jpg

Anglican Church near Holbrook:

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d1...oksrilanka.jpg

the people are very friendly, if you attempt Sinhalese, they will love you, and switch to English;

hello in Sinhalese is Aibone or ayu-bowen
how are you is: kohomede sapa saneepa? or just kohomeda for short
replying fine is: innewa (it's going, or things are going (fine))

hello in Tamil is venecum
how are you is: epidde suggum? or just epidde for short.
replying fine is: nalle suggum

Sinhalese is used in most places like Columbo, along the southern/coastal regions, but as y ou get to the high country, there is more of a Tamil mix. The tea country (Kandy, Talawakelle, Nuwara Ellya) is very Tamil. If you go north (which may not be possible due to the war like state of affairs) it will be primarly Tamil.

There's so much more to cover in the country, such as the national park system ( Yala has tours and elephants are all over) the jungle foliage and hiking in the up country.

Note, watch out for monkeys. They can steal your knapsack if you put it down.

Great pictures Leto. I would like to visit Sri Lanka one day, since I do hear about it a lot from my Sri Lankan friend.

wow...sounds fantastic!

This is interesting for me since my best friend is now dating some one from there and found it interesting that someone here went there. It's awesome, and i love the photos that you posted. It gives me an idea for when my best friend goes there to visit his family eventually.

great... I found a couple of the ruins in the ancient cities. these cities are close to each other and can be seen on the same day. The older city (Anurahapura) is famous for its irrigation system and tanks. Here's one of a couple of blokes standing on the steps:

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d1...rasrilanka.jpg

Here's so me ruins from the other old capital (Polanaruwa):

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d1...wasrilanka.jpg