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bradshaw
Joined: 13 Feb 2007
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 Posted: Wed Oct 21, 2009 7:18 pm Post subject: Sri Lanka |
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| Has anybody been to Sri Lanka, specifically down the west coast? Any can't misses? |
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Tiger Beer
Joined: 07 Feb 2003
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| Posted: Mon Jan 31, 2011 8:15 am Post subject: |
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Not yet!
Been curious how much different Sri Lanka would be from India...or is it a very similar feel....? |
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Caffeinated
Joined: 11 Feb 2010
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| Posted: Mon Jan 31, 2011 8:50 am Post subject: |
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Had a great time exploring the west and south a couple of years back when rebels were still running around in the north and east. Skip Colombo for the following.
Sigiriya, Polonnaruwa, Dambulla - temples and ruins. If you're allergic to these, try Sigiriya at least.
Ella, Nuwara Eliya - tea plantations and great mountainside views. Stop at Kandy along the way.
Hikkaduwa, Galle - diving, beaches and seafood
There's wildlife preserves as well where the elephants still terrorize the locals.
Something for everyone. Highly recommended. |
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JBomb
Joined: 16 Oct 2008
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| Posted: Mon Jan 31, 2011 4:22 pm Post subject: |
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| what are the costs like for Sri Lanka and when would you say is the best time of year to go? Always been interested in heading there. My grandfather was stationed there for a time after the Second World War and had a ton of interesting pictures. |
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Caffeinated
Joined: 11 Feb 2010
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| Posted: Mon Jan 31, 2011 5:21 pm Post subject: |
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Since I planned on diving and beaches there, I went southwest where the monsoon wasn't around from Dec. to Jan. The highlands were definitely cooler and I don't recall any rain while in the beaches or the interior.
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| Sri Lanka has a tropical climate. Upland areas are cooler and more temperate, and coastal areas are cooled by sea breezes. There are two monsoons although they occur in opposite halves of the country. The western and southern areas experience their monsoon during May to September while the northern and eastern areas experience the monsoon between October to January. The central highlands can be much cooler throughout the year and warm clothes will be needed. Lightweights and rainwear are recommended. |
Accommodation and food costs were low and you'll have a range of price options to choose from in the tourist areas. Doubles/twin rooms at four or five star hotels could be had for less than $100 USD a night when I went in 2009. If you will be travelling with a friend or a group I suggest contacting a travel agency and arranging for a guide/driver to take you around. |
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schwa
Joined: 18 Jan 2003
Location: Yap
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| Posted: Mon Jan 31, 2011 5:48 pm Post subject: |
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Sri Lanka is a delightful vacation destination. History, wildlife, tropical beaches, cool highlands, & nicely compact -- everything within reasonable driving distance. Much of the flavor of India but not the intensity. English widely spoken. Very affordable. Pleasant locals.
| Caffeinated wrote: |
| If you will be travelling with a friend or a group I suggest contacting a travel agency and arranging for a guide/driver to take you around. |
This is a nice option even for a solo traveler & you dont need to prearrange. I talked with a few guide/drivers outside my hotel the first day, chose one I felt comfortable with, & ended up with a deluxe personalized tour of the island over a couple weeks. I forget the cost, but it was totally reasonable. |
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Tiger Beer
Joined: 07 Feb 2003
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| Posted: Fri Feb 04, 2011 4:05 am Post subject: |
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| JBomb wrote: |
| when would you say is the best time of year to go? |
| Caffeinated wrote: |
| I went southwest where the monsoon wasn't around from Dec. to Jan. |
I did get the impression that Winter is always good.
How about Summer? I read that Hikkaduwa has some festival in late June? Does that mean that June is also in-season? |
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West Coast Tatterdemalion
Joined: 31 Aug 2010
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| Posted: Mon Feb 14, 2011 7:37 am Post subject: |
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| Sri Lanka certainly sounds enticing. I've looked online and the ticket prices are expensive(the lowest I found was $900 USD). A bit more than I'd like to spend on airfare. I would be interested in learning more about the diving there, as that is the main reason why I would go. But I'm definitely liking Sri Lanka more and more. |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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| Posted: Mon Feb 14, 2011 7:48 am Post subject: Re: Sri Lanka |
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| bradshaw wrote: |
| Has anybody been to Sri Lanka, specifically down the west coast? Any can't misses? |
You are aware that the country is currently (less than 3 weeks ago) suffering from the effects of serious flooding down the east coast (with serious issues for the whole country).
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/jan/20/sri-lanka-floods-children-food
Worst floods in country's recent history have destroyed homes, schools and agricultural land
. |
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