With Lots of Love from Sri Lanka

The land of handsome men and simple women, haven of colorful tuk-tuks, paddy fields and lots of greens, depth-taking beaches and disciplined traffic, tour de Sri Lanka was bliss. I’am a little too late (actually) in writing about my Sri Lankan trip, but as they say, better late than never. Oh! That wonderful place took my breath away, made me go ga-ga over its scenic beauty, and most of all, gave me a reality check on how people can lead a simple yet happy life.

Sri Lankans are recuperating from all the tragedies LTTE had imbibed on them. Bomb blasts, suicide attacks, gun shots and mass killings were nothing new to Sri Lankans. How can people just randomly kill other people, for nothing?! I ponder, but in vain. Generations have pondered on this question, but it is supposed to remain unanswered (as long as mankind exists).

We visited South Sri Lanka. And I was with my cousins, uncle and aunt, the company I would love to be with till I exist on earth, and cherish to no end. Having boarded at Colombo airport, we got in for our first Sri Lankan road trip, all the way to Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage where we had our lunch, and also saw hundreds of elephants soothing themselves with an afternoon bathing session. I could see, they were having truck loads of fun!

Off we went to our next destination which took us nearly four hours from the airport. Having spent a couple of days at a hill station named Kandy, we set off to Nuwara Eliya. The place famously known as ‘Little England’ showed us the sophisticated English bungalows (built during the British era), polished restaurants and the place was anglicized everywhere. And oh yea! We saw the temple where Sita was held by Ravana. We saw Hanuman’s huge footsteps. We saw the 5000 year old deity of Sita Rama. We saw the pond where Sita used to take her bath. We saw Nuwara Eliya, where history told tales in millions. The place where the world epic Ramayana took steep turns and lovely climaxes. Oh! We saw that blissful, holy place. I’am one of those lucky ones!

We went to visit the next holy place where Lord Buddha reigned. Kandy it was. The monastery faced a serious setback when LTTE bombed the place nearly a decade ago. Again, a monastery that bears testimony to human inconsideration and his uncanny! Buddha’s tooth is kept here. And the holy sight is open to public only once a year, when people from across the globe come here to witness that holy sight. Kandy was beautiful. The people there lovely. We witnessed South Sri Lankan cultural art forms which took us to the ethnic side of this lovely country, and helped us re-visit their past which had hundreds of tales. So it was time to bid good-bye, and say hello to beaches. We set ourselves for a 7 hour journey to Bentota!

The journey took us half a day (at least that is how we felt!).Having stopped occasionally for food and water, we made our way to Bentota. Indruwa Beach resorts, where we stayed, was true bliss. And if you plan for Sri Lanka, make sure you make a stop here. The vast sea (which stretched to ‘god-knows-where’), blissful beachside, strong rocks, and the occasional creaks that we saw in the beachside made our Bentota stay extra remarkable. We visited a couple of places at Bentota which included the turtle hatchery, water sporting arena etc., but nothing to beat a beach stroll at Indruwa, listening to some good music, and witnessing the sunset smile at you when bidding goodbye.

After spending 2 lovely days at Bentota, we started preparing ourselves to say final good-bye to Tour De Sri Lanka. We set off to Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka where thousands of people halt with dreams and ambitions, where tall buildings rule, shopping malls smile at you, and huge restaurants and commercial spaces throng in thousands. It was shopping time for us too! We did our bit of purchases. Who says Sri Lanka is cheap!??!

We left the country of the lions with a heavy heart. All good things have to come to an end, doesn’t it? How can I forget our guide Chaminda who took us to all these placesm waited for us patiently when we strolled the roadside at Kandy and Colombo, and still had a smiling face! But when I write about my memoirs having spent a week there, I can also recollect the lovely people who are always willing to help you. So much to learn for Indians! Good-bye Sri Lanka for now. But I promise, if I ever get an opportunity to visit you again, I shall never miss it. Sri Lanka is true bliss.