Sri Lanka
Ceylon’s Riches and How They Go Beyond Tea
Ceylon or Sri Lanka is a land just bursting with history—several millennia of it, in fact. Sri Lanka is not just a feature in the classic Indian epic of the Ramayana but also the site of several Paleolithic settlements. Iron Age dig sites and full-color frescoes from the 5th century are spread throughout this astounding place, cradled in stone fortresses and rock caves framed by the verdant greenery of the tropics. Green highland retreat sites, lush tea plantations, white waterfalls and blue beaches all come together to describe a rainbow of wonders in which one may find 3-millennia-old ancient cities and even the footprint of Buddha, up on Adam’s Peak.
This is a wonderful country to visit, with perhaps only one downside to it: there are so many things to see that it seems impossible to take them all in. Indeed, even most locals cannot claim to have seen all their country has to offer. And with historic ruins of temples and centuries-old Buddha statues set in the middle of thick tropical lush, it can truly be difficult to find everything in the space of a single visit.
That should not discourage the tourist from trying to take in as much as he can, though. From the gorgeous beaches of the North (which are now recovering speedily from the old civil war) to the lovely highlands and ancient ruins of the centre and even all the way down to the world-famous beaches of the west and the national parks of the south, Sri Lanka can offer a great deal to the busy tourist eager to experience its delights. Whether you are after a beachside retreat or a misty highland one, you can get it in Sri Lanka, whose richness reflects its mythical origins in the classic tome of the Ramayana: as the land created by the divine sculptor for none other than the Lord of Wealth.
