A complete tour of the unknown and attractive Sri Lanka

 

I would leave alone if not Tonino had told me shortly before :"... but where do you go without me? "

15-16 January 2008

has arrived, finally, the day of departure for Colombo. At 22.30 o'clock we get from Malpensa Terminal 2 on board an Airbus A330 Airline Eurofly. Very quiet flight and arrival at the scheduled time, 12.30 hours local time zone with the +4.30 hours. After landing, an experience to film me explain: The plane lands and stops in 300 feet, at the disposal of the commander remain airborne for about 15 minutes after opening the tailgate, you have 2 soldiers armed with machine guns and patrol plane. My thoughts? "Is made, the Tamils have hijacked the plane, finite and adventure holidays started. None of this, fortunately ... mad Sinhalese claimed to have put a bomb in a carry-on luggage and, of course, our luggage was, were ransacked from head to foot, one by one, by the police with considerable loss of time. A little 'fear and 15, finally, we meet Rohan, a friend of ours that will make us company and guide throughout the week. From Colombo up the coast until arriving in Negombo, the residence of Rohan and arrived in his beautiful villa where his wife was waiting for Nelka, daughter Michelle and a lunch of fish that have not vedavamo time consuming. Late in the afternoon to pick a driver (who knew the internal roads) and then at a time stopping at the Kandalama Hotel Sigiriya where we arrive after about 4 hours necessary to cover a distance of 120 km. The hotel a unique charm, overlooking the lake ... the construction of which was wedged into the rock and part of it remained inside the hotel.

Wake up early, rich breakfast buffet in a room with view on the lake, breathtaking and departure to Sigiriya, a rock 370 meters high peaks on all sides and residence of King Kasyapa (477-495 AD). The view from above is breathtaking, green eyes. Also worth seeing are the frescoes that dwell in a cave in the center of the rock. On the way back we stop in the area for an Ayurvedic massage lasted 2 hours. Return to hotel and relax by the pool overlooking the lake and vegetation. Hour in the gym, dinner and bed

After the usual hearty breakfast with the wonderful view sull'Amaya lac we move to the vault of the sacred city of Kandy, the largest city in Sri lanka after Colombo. Along the way, we stop in a botanical garden where a very nice guy, in Italian, there is lesson in botany. And 'here that I see for the first time the berry vanilla, pepper plants black / red / white, cocoa beans and many other plants and fruits. Truly fascinating. We left the garden after having spent about $ 300 U.S. in ointments, perfumes, essences, etc. .. We get to Maraweli Resort in Kandy (holy city) after crossing Matale, a town of considerable presence of tamil and here we encounter the first Hindu temple. Place your luggage admire the beautiful garden and hundreds of orchids around him and we approach the "Temple of the Tooth", a Buddhist pilgrimage center located inside the royal palace. Here there is, according to legend, the left canine of the Buddha.

The breakfasts here are excellent and plentiful as well, with a full belly we go to visit the botanical garden and we are amazed at the sight of the more than 30 types of orchids, and especially of a ficus to 137 years under whose foliage can picnic shade, about 1000 people. Destination, now, for Pinnawela, town that hosts dozens of orphaned elephants including several infants who drink even baby bottle. Two or three times a day across the country and a double row of shops (where we did some shopping) to go to the river where the "Elephantman" wash them and care for them. Wonderfully exciting and away to sea that we reach after traveling more than 4 hours in the midst of an unimaginable traffic. On The Blue Water is a beautiful seaside hotel in the town of Wadduwa. Shower dinner of rice and fish and in bed with fever.

I spent the night under 2 blankets with a fever, I think, 39°C and the morning after a good breakfast along with a dozen crows waiting for my distraction appropriated good toast, I go to the beach, still hot, around some active fishermen on the "trawling". Had a score after a hard day's work, were rewarded with a very small percentage of fish sold. They were always caught poor!

This morning, after a hearty breakfast, we move quickly to search for the famous "Fisherman", the fishermen sitting on a pole in the middle of the sea, trying to win the day. The trip was to do the same as the Tsunami of December 2004 had covered with the waters of the ocean and the marks were still visible: the remains of homes and cemeteries built in every corner where the plaque commemorates the tragedy came from the sea . Markets and shops were visited in the center through managed by people with a smile "32 teeth". It seemed that nothing had happened, or perhaps did not want to bring to bear their suffering. Once in Matara, extreme south of the island, the disappointment you stick on him because the "fisherman" are not in business because of the weather conditions (sea a bit 'rough, say). We ought to stay until the afternoon but we decided to go back because the program already established. Stop, then, in Weligama.and finally we find 3 / 4, sitting on the pole and incredibly half days on end. I try too but after 2 / 3 minutes prefer to return to a good swim. Continuing on the way back, we visit the city of Galle, unfortunately devastated by this tsunami and thousands of casualties. Galle is the best example of a fortified city built by Europeans: domain, first Portuguese and then British. The ancient city is a World Heritage ..... perhaps because there is a Fiat 600 and more (hi! hi!) in excellent condition. We continue to Bentota, a town located on the delta of the river along which we decide to hike a couple of hours and the show in the mangroves and the animals were wonderful. Time uncertain, then rainy, did not allow us the meeting with mr. crocodile, patience. Return to the hotel, shower, dinner a bit 'to relax around the pool. Meanwhile, rumors that the Tamils are in turmoil. Our Rohan, always at our side and having news, we reassured.

This morning at a good pace, we are moving towards Negombo, and we must go through Colombo. Rohan tells us not to stop because there's too much to see and we must recover a bit 'of time. We stop only to greet his mother and brother of a friend of ours. Before noon, we are in the room of the Blue Ocean Hotel, not much but with a lovely beach and comfortable rooms. An invigorating massage that's what we want. In the afternoon a tour of the city for a little shopping but as the days of "full moon", the country is celebrating and the shops are closed. Better way, we save! We join his wife and daughter of Rohan, after a drink with them, we take our leave and prepare for departure the next day. Rohan returns home to recover and return from there to 15 hours.

Punctual as a Swiss Rohan with his Pajero, is outside the hotel. Tonino and I, prepared as 2 other Swiss say goodbye with a little 'Mago of the beautiful country that has hosted us and made us live a week full of beautiful emotions and experiences. We will bring us scents, flavors and especially the smile and the humility of the people ...... and I'm glad I lost, the last day, my purse with 800 euros.
Better there than in Italy!
We feel at next March because I and Tonino are organizing a trip to Vietnam
Hello everyone
Some info: The cost of air travel non-stop, reserving a couple of months earlier, it was. About 700 euros, with hotels booked by Rohan is no charge for the 7 nights of around 800 euros taking into account that they were, except the last, all 5 stars and including half board, moreover, is driving the driver was hosted for free. Rohan is a guy like few I have known: reliable and humble. known him for 20 years and has always been beside me. If you would like to make a trip leaning on him, I am sure he will be happy. Contact me for his references.