Some of the largest Tea Plantations in the Island are in the vicinity of Nuwara Eliya, where the most suitable climate exists for the growth of this finest of beverages, one of them is located beside the adjacent hills of the township of the picturesque Nuwara Eliya, it is known as ‘Labookelle’ Estate (Melon Forest) another is ‘HavaEliya’ Estate (Rabbit Heights).

When we take you there, an orientation of the numerous processes of ‘tea making’ from the green leaves to the dried broken orange pekoes can be observed with precise explanations of the processes, later you are invited to taste the flavor of the seated on European furniture in the Colonial factory building, view the images of the plantation, factory the founders memory lane and take a stroll of the vast fields of the scenic tea up down rolling hills.

Observe how the tea is planted, replanted, pruned, new plants are nursed, fertilized, moistened, ‘suntanned’, broken, conveyed, minced, graded, dried, sorted, packed transported to auctions.

Spotting Blue Whales of the Ocean, unlike counting blue cars, is a happening activity that shouldn’t be missed while touring this jewel of the Indian Ocean. As the biggest animal in the world growing to a length of 100 ft, the size of its heart can be bigger than a car, to give you an idea as to what size dimension to expect with the boat as the reference point over the tranquil waves. The season for watching these blue giants in Mirissa & Kalpitiya is between October & March in the South East & West of the Island along the Indian Ocean and between March & July in Trincomalee, Pigeon Island & Muttur in the North East of the Isle along the Bay of Bengal across Nicobar & the Andamans.

Wherever the Blue Whales swim in the deeper recesses of the Ocean, herds of dolphins hang out in the vicinity just below the surface of the water jumping out of the water and playing at the top edges of the sea and the atmosphere, only to dive back into the water giving so much amusement, fun excitement to the discerning traveler enticing one to interact with them whistling, jumping higher diving back into the water and so on. A heart rending activity to watch be entertained.

The three popular destinations out of numerous places from where Whales Dolphins can be spotted watched in this gem of the Ocean are : Mirissa, on the south coast, Trincomalee on the east coast and Kalpitiya, on the west coast. From any of these places, one can hop into a ferry boat take a cruise a little beyond the horizon with others including lifeguards. While waiting for the apparitions to appear, one can perhaps read a book or something or begin a conversation with other enthusiasts, as the Whales could be pretty busy down under, but be prepared with your camera to capture some unreal images. Then suddenly at the spur of the moment, the apparitions can materialize the gentle giants are all over the area, swimming, excited also fearful that the boat may perhaps ‘attack’ them. Usually there are the white Whales, one should be extremely fortunate to spot a blue one. On the way back to the shore, be on the lookout for Dolphins if you hadn’t waved at them on the way out looking for the Whales. Good luck !

Sigiriya, Dambulla Habarana are the areas where Hot Air Ballooning is conducted as the winds are good enough in the area of the almost flat plains of the island with constant blowing. The wind enables the balloon to stay up in the air and move sufficiently with the wind. It’s an enjoyable ride, to take a panoramic ‘lookout’ at the forest plains, rocky hills, pretty glittering lakes estuaries with amazing real time panoramic views in motion. However, the only drawback is that Hot Air Ballooning depends on the winds and its direction.

So it is essentially seasonal and depends heavily on the moods of the Local Weather, the Supernatural, Solar Flares, Global Weather Neutrinos passing through the planet for the irresistible ride. The adventurers who do this exercise are testing places like Ella, Tissa Hambantota as potential locations in order to enable this ‘bird’s eye’ sightseeing in the future. It’s far more economical than boarding into a helicopter, which is an alternative if the winds aren’t going to materialize here or at other destinations. If the winds prevail, Go for it !.

Also known as Game Fishing or OffShore Fishing, this is a novel enterprise emerging in recent times to add to the ancient art of fishing in Sri Lanka from Stilt fishing, Oar fishing in the rivers lakes and the standard small boat fishing off the shallow coasts, it is certainly quite apart from the traditional methods. Far Eastern International commercial fish markets and their demand for large fish has enabled this modern venture into deep sea fishing in the Ocean surrounding Sri Lanka to help tap the proliferation of ‘Sharks & Tuna gaining Weight’.

It involves the launch of Larger fishing vessels such as Trawlers frigates with a length of at least 30 feet to be able to sail into the deeper ends of the Ocean, spread out large wide nets in order to sweep into large widths depths of the selected area of ‘calm’ in order to ‘catch’ large fish with massive mass. The types of fish thus caught are typically Tuna, Shark, Wahoo, Sailfish, Sword fish lue Marlin.

Although deep sea fishing is considered to be a leisure activity, it actually demands a lot of observation tests of Ocean ‘patches’, plenty of 3D strategy, still patience, strength to handle cables to lift huge weights of large creatures, common fishing skills, common sense and tons of experience. This is certainly an exciting exercise to watch as the vessel rocks over the calm & unpredictable waves of the ‘still’ water.

This ‘Diamond’ of the Indian Ocean is an destination for Diving where the Sea temperature is always approximately 27 degrees Centigrade, which is ideal for diving. Prior to the introduction of scuba diving, oxygenated diving snorkeling there were rudimentary local divers around the 1300 km of the coastlines looking out for seafood corals. They used to dive in the early hours into the cold water emerge to the shore with Lobsters, Prawns, Mussels, Crab, Cuttlefish a variety of other seafood to meet a very limited but growing demand.

Skin Diving Scuba Diving as leisure activities began with the arrival of foreign visitors to this country is practiced at every cove on the shore.

Training of Scuba Diving, Snorkeling other underwater diving is conducted at seaside hotel, resort or guest house alongside the coast with trained instructors the necessary equipment. There is a place at Galle Dutch Fort besides the Lighthouse Mosque on the ramparts at Trincomalee . A similar place in Acapulco in Mexico has turned the attraction to a fascinating busy destination for North Americans looking to Dive, though it has also become dangerous not too safe lately. Although underwater diving is very popular, diving from high places as a sport happens in places like Hikkaduwa, Aluthgama, Galle, Trincomalee, Tangalle, Nilwella (Blue Beach) Dickwella (Long Beach).

Unlike Grand Rapids, Kithulgala located on the road is smaller in size but huge in heart, as the service is unpretentious, natural, helpful extraordinary. Kithulgala has lots of water flowing over 9 rapids, passing gaps and the rocks to make it an adventure worth the exertion. Kayaking, Rafting or Canoeing downstream amidst the green foliage through the branches of trees of the rainforest bulging into the flushing river is fun adventurous, while oaring swerving downstream, one can see hikers treading upstream on the banks.

Plenty of camping grounds to chill out. It’s possible to rent out , canoes, kayaks, rigifoam helmets, life jackets other necessities such as Tents, Gas Stoves etc. other camping gear available in the vicinity, so one doesn’t have to bring them from far. The water is nice a warm unlike Grand Rapids, so one can’t get cold or sick. The only caution one needs to take is to dry clean the ears after the expedition, as the ‘tropical ear’ germs can get into the body through the ears. It’s a challenging ride downstream to the Kelani River (3 Largest in the country) through a dense green forest. Have fun !

Sri Lanka is known for its vast number of Indian built ukuks which roam on every street in every township. Unlike four wheeled vehicles, uk-uks are a three wheeled small type of a vehicle which can carry a maximum of three passengers and a driver. Tukuks are often used for short journeys to run errands as well as for the more exciting joy rides. Rides on these handy cabs gives an experience like no other through the sheer pleasure of an open view of the road with fresh air blowing in the faces of the passengers as well as the throttling driver. Overall, this brings out a totally different vibe to a person who arrives from a country where people use vehicles such as cars limos as taxis instead of ukuks.

TukTuks are handy since the beach is usually located not too far from the main coastal road or highway as most attractions aren’t accessible only through trains or buses from most roads, towns or train stations.

Welcome to the fascinating spiritual practice of the East where one can perhaps transcend from the physical to the intangible metaphysical.

There are some appealing retreats in the hill coastal country where authentic Meditation Yoga are practiced coached. They are usually kept discreet only revealed to those who are genuinely interested in practicing Stillness, Silence Awareness through Emptiness & Nothingness in order to reach the heights of Presence, the Nowness, ‘Who I am ?’ , the Source, the Self, Absolute & the Ultimate Reality .

Yoga – Stretching exercises of the limbs, neck & abdomen are generally done under the supervision of certified therapists, the silence that you’ve ever learned earlier in life is practiced here in order to ‘reconnect’ the mind, body & soul together to help integrate into a sync, that is Union, that is Yoga, when the Mindbody of the practicer connects with that of the Source / Universe in synchronicity, it is done ‘effortlessly’ spontaneously to align with the whole body as one with the Universe by ‘creating’ a distance between the body the inner ‘Self’. It’s this distance that keeps one aloof from pain & clutter.

Meditation into Emptiness or Nothingness – that is without any perceptions of the past or of the future or other ideas or thoughts is practiced at every Meditation Center. Having left behind the name, identity, person, ego all other thoughts etc. at the door, one is welcomed into the session to walk-in empty of any thoughts, conditioning, judgment perceptions. Then one sits Still in Silence. And Listen to nothing whatsoever. Just Being there in the Now is the best practice at the beginning. It is undoubtedly difficult to do it, however, over time sufficient practice one can emerge to be light, love, free Content being with the Source in the Presence of the ‘Now’.

One of the premier but modest attractions of the magical isle, Cookery Classes to learn to ‘Cook’ Sri Lankan dishes, enables participants to dish out some of the remarkably delicious using traditional ‘Ayurveda’ methods and recipes to ‘Cook’ using wholesome ingredients.

Usually conducted in the evenings to enable the numerous ‘sightseers’ to see various other attractions, and to make it on time to get ‘hands on’ experience learning the traditional art of local cookery. Rice, Flat bread, Dhal, Pumpkin, Potato, Meat, Coconut Sambol a dessert is usually prepared to align with seasonal vegetables, coconut, coconut milk to cook with tangy spices with coconut oil to ‘temper’ (Saute).

Appointments need to be made well in advance at the numerous places that they are generally conducted in around major tourist destinations throughout the country.

Mouth watering food like freshly dished out ‘Koththu’, ‘Strings’, ‘Hoppers’, ‘Pittu’, ‘Kadala’, Fried Rice, Seafood Fried Meats are emerging to be popular tasty delights for discerning travelers locals as delicious economical alternatives in the suburban areas.

“Koththu” has become a popular delicacy made of cut pieces of flatbread (Roti)

with a choice of meat (Chicken, Beef, Mutton, etc.) with Egg, Spices, fresh Vegetables, with ‘tempered’ Garlic, Onion, Green Chilli, Tomato Cheese all stir fried on a very hot metal plate served steaming hot with a spoon for a dollar.

Strings are ‘String Hoppers’, a kind of Asian ‘pasta’ or ‘noodles’ steam fresh in the early hours of the day specially prepared for breakfasts, served with coconut milk, meat, fish Onion sambal. These stringy vermicelli-like thin Noodle pieces can be used later during the day as an alternative to flat bread or Roti to create a different version of ‘Koththu’ along with the other ingredients that go into creating the succulent ‘Koththu’ mix. ‘Pittu’ is made of rice, flour coconut blended & steamed in a long piece of ‘bamboo’ and served with coconut milk, meat, fish /or meat gravy Chilli Chutney
Indo-Chinese & Middle Eastern Street Food such as Thosai, Idli, Vadai, Atta Roti (Chapati), Parata, Shawarma, , Falafel, Kebab, Satay, Noodles, Roti Poori in Sri Lanka is a recent emergence which is becoming popular with both locals foreigners after it began to proliferate in Singapore, India, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Cambodia Malaysia and other far eastern countries in the last few decades.

For a tropical island located north of the Equator, Sri Lanka’s unique Geological formation of hilly terrain in the central regions of the country enables adventurers to hike, trek or simply walk in the cool hill country terrain

These central hills are situated approximately 0 Km from the western, southern eastern coastlines. Ella, Badulla, Horton Plains, Knuckles, Ohiya, Kirigalpoththa, Namunukula, Haputale, Bandarawela, Hatton, Ginigathhena, Nuwara Eliya, Kandy, Matale, and in the Midlands where one can find Tea, Rubber Spice Plantations are included in these recommended areas for hiking with the least sweat.

In this landscape a comfortable temperate zone enables those who indulge in outdoor activities such as farming and construction work to hiking to exercise with the least of perspiration. So one should feel fortunate as one can tread long hikes with the least sweat in these regions. These mountainous areas are full of beautiful fragrant nature trails where locals and travelers hike to peak tops through challenging expeditions of the topography to take panoramic views. All other areas are available as is for those who want to endure, sweat it out and let go.

This teardrop of India is an exceptional island for bird watching, for its location in close proximity to India in the Indian Ocean area which attracts ‘foreign’ birds to visit on their long migratory voyages across continents in their natural seasonal migration trails during certain seasons of the year. It is fascinating to watch large flocks of birds flying together ‘turn’ altogether simultaneously spontaneously all together at once as if every bird in the flock knows that they’re all turning together. This synchronization happens under the ocean in the case of shoals of fish as well, as they swim and turn in unison quite spontaneously simultaneously in sync.

One can observe plenty of flocks of birds migrating between Europe Asia through ‘bird paths’ to Australia, Malaysia, Indonesia Africa return back through this Island of plenty.

Within the country there are numerous local birds : high above the air are the Eagles patrolling a given area to watch the vulnerable prey on the ground, thers on the trees are ummingbirds, Pigeons (Dove), Myna, Parrots, Parakeet, Kingfishers, Woodpeckers, Flamingo, Pelican, Robin, Nightingales, ones with long tails, long beaks and wings one’s with ‘special haircuts’ only know how to identify and name them with a certain amount of accuracy, trial error.

Every National Park, Estuary, Lake, River, Lagoon, Brook, Creek, Rain Forest, Sanctuary, Backyard the coastal perimeter is frequented with these ‘flying machines’ , yes the birds chirping ‘long stories’ singing pretty tunes. The atmosphere is full of these adorable two legged creatures getting aerodynamic, aeronautical, flying, diving, taking off landing to look for something to peck at. Sri Lanka has plenty of them in every color one can imagine, yes plenty of these adorable creatures who still remember how to sing at dawn and dusk, while other two legged ones have forgotten the melodies unless they retrain to sing, yes plenty of birds to watch anywhere in this Island of Birds.

Only a few beaches provide the tall waves required for Surfing out of thirteen hundred kilometers of coastline, most of which are calm & tranquil. They’re mostly on the East Coast – Arugam Bay, , Trinco Panama though there are emerging new beaches with waves tall enough in Kalpitiya on the west coast and Weligama Mirissa on the south shore pretty suitable fitting especially for Beginners. Plenty of travelers from some countries have found these hideaway destinations and would not hesitate to keep it as discreet as possible in order to keep it ‘less traveled’ so that all of you surfers who ‘surf’ can have the fun in the quiet tranquility far from ‘civilization’.

They organize ‘happening beach parties’ after stretching reaching the heights of surfs breakers which have kept coming from as long as eternity and still keep coming to marvel at riding them to shore. Most of these ocean fronts were found by travelers around the globe to have that kind of fun; it was never a pastime or sport of the locals who were too busy fishing to survive to get their food on the table to feed their families to market the catch. So it’s up to the adventurous traveler to find more of these exciting seaboards to surf, excel keep it as subtle as possible to deter too many other kinds of fun and beach lovers from penetrating into such territories.

The flat roads on the coastal belt, flat roads in the vast plains of the northern provinces with plenty of cool estuaries waterways and the winding roads of the Central Highlands attract numerous cyclists to . The temperate climate of the Central highlands are particularly preferred by most cyclists as the cool climate, crisp air challenging hills entice them to trudge much more freely in such fascinating, challenging picturesque areas.

Cycling is still a preferred mode of transport for most people who live in the remote areas of the country, since it not only puts them out to the scenic atmosphere as it enhances their health but is a viable alternative old fashioned mode of There are some special cycling tracts made available in some new parks in Nawala, Colombo, Bellanwila, New Port City, Modera in the Colombo district area and around the Victoria and Polgolla Reservoirs in Kandy, in the vicinity of Hambantota and at the Kandalama around the lake near Sigiriya where motor traffic is not permitted to enter.