Most people in Slovakia dont know much about Sri Lanka, usually just the basic information. For example they do know its a place where high quality tea is produced or news about wild elephants destroying houses in rural areas are somehow accepted as truth. Also it is known that country was disturbed by civil wars which had its origin in the effort of tamil minority for its independence. These have been solved.
We are writing this article on the day we ve returned from Sri Lanka after two week holidays and we believe it way provide information for other slovaks who are about to visit this country as an advice what to visit and as an advice what to avoid.
One of the first things that striked us was friendliness not only of hotel personel, but all people in general such as employees in shops, restaurants and on the streets. Maybe it has something to do with fact that most of popolation are buddhists and this sort od attitude is just part of their philosophy and mentality, maybe the fact that they are well aware that tourists are enormous benefit for them as country. Either way it is very pleasant for a tourist. Despite the fact that we are so called developed EU country, we believe we have a lot to learn from Sri Lankans in this regard. Frankly, when was the last time you ve met a server or hotel staff in slovak restaurant who was eversmiling and at the mere sight of you asked „How have you been?“. Btw, when asked same question Sri Lankan replied that he is always doing very well. I dont want to make it sound that Sri Lanka is a country where everyone is happy, you can find weirdoes and jerks in every country in the world, but its more about general experience and fact that despite perhaps their problems they are able to deliver good service and stay customer oriented. That we appreciated greatly.
Regarding traveling around the country and siteseeing trips: It has been adviced to us that we should not accept offers for trips from people outside hotel area since it occasionally happens that tourists are driven elsewhere or robbed etc. You can hardly find logical argument to fight this advice so we heeded it fully and organized all out trips via german travel agency or via private tour guide who was recommended to us.
Definitelly you should visit ancient 8th world wonder called Sigirya. Our hotel was located north from Kalutara and the journey took around 6 hours which ofc is a lot, but it was worth it. Plus you will be able to see rural areas of the country and real life which certain part of population leads in Sri Lanka. Sigirya itself is place where 4th century palace was built on the top of a high positioned rock which is not dissimilar to Ayers rock in Australia. Way up led through 1202 stairs and was rewarded not only with ruins of ancient palace of the great king, but also by breathtaking view of surrounding country. In case you re afraid of heights or closed spaces this trip perhaps isnt such a good idea for you. Many children visit this place so it is not that arduous. However, instruct them not to scream or throw anything at the walls of the rock in order not to aggravate wild wasps which have many of their hives at the walls and if disturbed may attack.
Dambulla is a complex of buddhist monasteries carved into the rocky mountain and caves oldest of which dates back to 1st century B.C. Local monks are willing to explain in English what do statues of Buddha mean in different positions and how it is linked to their philosophy. Entrance to this complex is around Golden Temple. It seems to be a modern construction, nevertheless it is trully fascinating. Great number of makak monkeys hanging around the monastery make the place look even more exotic for a european. Dambulla is only around 30-45 minutes away from Sigirya so it is logical to put these two into 1 trip. Private tour guide for the whole day, journey, entrance fees and satisfying lunch cost 150 euros per person.
Galle and Galle area are part of Southern Province of Sri Lanka and trip we went to was amazingly well organized. I mean, except the estimate of ending time of a trip, however 2 hour difference in estimate is very common so it shouldnt surprise you nor make you uncomfortable. We would define this trip as relaxing trip compared to others. It wasnt so long and places visited were physically easily manageable. It comprised of bus trip, journey by local train, visit of an old dutch fortress, Galle beach which looks completelly as one the best european beaches, turtle hatchery, moon stone mine and cinnamon plantation. Working conditions in the mine will perhaps leave you speechless and for a while the picture will make you unable to complain about you own job, i mean, if you have tendency to complain. The best part of the trip was for sure river cruise on a motor boat. Similarly like we have newspaper stands on the street, there are bamboo stands offering fruits and coconut drinks in the middle of river. Feel free to stop and buy some. Just perfect! For those who are interested in fauna and flora this part of trip will be great due to many kinds of birds and crocodiles having this river as their habitat. We are sure that anyway the experience of a lifetime will be journey by motorboat itself. Bridges are built so low above waterlevel that boat itself barely makes it through so all passangers who wish to keep their heads have to kneel and keep their heads as low as possible. Maybe safety regulations would forbid this in EU, but here in Sri Lanka it is an atraction and it is worth trying out! The entire trip along with all entrance fees and very good tuna steak for lunch cost 49 euros. Its almost unbelievable. Highly recommended - you will get your moneys worth .
Kandy, city located in the middle of an Island in several hundred miles altitude is place which every traveller who lays his or her foot on Sri Lanka should visit. It is second biggest city after Colombo which ofc gives not only great shopping opportunities, but also it is a center of religious life. Buddhism in Slovakia in any organized form is practically nonexistent, not to mention religious buildings- temples and dagobas and that is why if you want to get to know buddhist life, their rites and rituals this is the right place. Kandy Temple is one of two places in the world where Buddhas relic, namely his tooth is located. It s possible to see it in its golden dagoba at certain times of a day and we may call it the top tourist attraction of Sri Lanka. The atmosphere is accomplished by tamed elephants which wander around the temple complex. Trip also takes you to botanical garden which will interest you probably only if you re buff into these things. It is ofc beautiful , but concerning the long journey, travel by train and tight schedule it is somehow less interesting point. What is indeed unforgettable experience is visit of Elephant Orphanage Pinawella. 90 elephants living almost in freedom, feeding of baby elephants from milk bottle as well as possibility to have an elephant ride for 20 minutes for only 2000 ruppies is for a foreigner pure exotic. Trip also included visit of a so called Spice Garden and tea factory where all sorts of natural products and medicines can be bought. You should prepare yourself for Spice Garden financially. One can spend few hundred euros very fast. Kendy trip cost 88 euros per person and from all trips we consider it the most important one.
One more thing regarding travelling in general. Similarly like in Great Britain or Australia they drive in left lane and without exaggerating they drive like insane. To overtake a car while driving a bus on a hilly terain when a truck is going in opposite direction is nothing unusuall. What we would call a dangerous situation in Slovakia which could have ended tragically they solve every 5 minutes. They just honk and honk and other car goes aside so they can pass on a road where you wonder how one car fits in. But Sri Lankans know how to drive this way well. It is some sort of organized chaos and in those perhaps almost 2000 km we have travelled by car or by bus we havent been part of nor seen an accident. It is just part of the culture and as everything it is exotic. However, we do not recomment to rent a car. Also hireing a tuk-tuk, threewheel small car is cheap, exciting and worth to try on short distances, but is not good idea to do so on long distances. Its an opened car without any airbags and in case of a collision it would be in advantage only to a bicycle or a cow. Although, i m not so sure about a cow.
We were accomodated in Siddhalepa Ayurveda Health Resort north from Kalutara. It is not typical tourist hotel of western style which we consider good. Also atmosphere is very different. We perceived it as almost familly-like environment. We had payed for two suites superior with teraces which are built around central pool in huge garden which is taken care of on a daily basis. If any problem occured, personel was every time willing to solve it asap with a smile. Right behind the hotel is beautiful natural beach which is almost always empty. Regarding chef and hotel restaurant i will not be greedy with words of praise because the food was just excellent. If you re adventurous enough to want to taste all the exotic specialties, fruits and vegetables you re enjoy this place. Likewise staff of restaurant was always nearby and willing to help.
Since i address this article especially to slovaks, i will mention this story. One evening i noticed young likeable ayurveda doctor who works at the Resort with a t-shirt „Slovakiatravel“. I thought how strange and funny it is to meet a Sri Lankan with a t-shirt of our small central-european country so we stroke up a conversation. As it turned out this young doctor worked for over 2 years in Slovak Republic in Kaskady Hotel where she led Ayurveda Center and has only recently returned home. It was more than pleasant to meet someone abroad who although not slovak has such a close ties to Slovakia and considers it a second homeland. It does us slovaks justice that she has fallen in love with our country so much she plans to return to Slovakia one day and help people who need it by practicing ayurveda.
The last thing we ll mention is ayurveda itself since Siddhalepa Ayurveda Health Resort is a professional center to which people travel from all around the world with desire to solve their physical ailments or with desire to regenerate their bodies. We have underwent 5 days of 2 and half hour procedures suggested by pro ayurveda doctors. These are tailormade and based on individual consultations. Therapists follow through these instructions and it includes wholebody massage from the top of a skul to legs and fingertips, herbal baths as well as change of diet supported by herbal teas for all sorts of purposes. This all should contribute to body regeneration and physical ailments alleviation. All these procedures are done in specially adjusted quarters with suitable decoration and plenty of flowers. We have returned to Slovakia with a firm decision to continue practicing Ayurveda.
