In our wildlife reserves, Homo sapiens are the only species put into cages.
In Sri Lanka, we never forget that they’re called wildlife for a reason. Which is why we give them land to roam free. If you’d like to see elephants, leopards, sloth bears, monkeys and more in their natural habitat, come take a drive through one of our wildlife reserves in a cage of a car or a bus.
Indeed no country offers a greater density of wildlife reserves. In fact, it is the only one with an elephant orphange. The problem began in the late 18th century when the British began shooting adult elephants as a sport. Today, even though elephants are no longer hunted, there are still orphaned and abandoned wild elephants that require care. At the Pinnawela Elephant Orphange, you may observe these majestic creatures going about their daily activities like bathing and feeding at very close range.
Yet there is no need to rough it out in your safari adventure of a lifetime. There are luxury bungalows available for rent, complete with chef and guard on alert for wild creatures who might chance upon Homo sapiens in their habitat!
However, you’d be glad to know the locals are alot friendlier, and their warmth and hospitality is just one of our many charms. From ancient cities atop massive volcanic rocks to contemporary boutique hotels that meld with the environment, from the white sandy beaches of the Indian Ocean to lush tropical wildlife reserves, Sri Lanka makes for a truly unforgettable holiday.
Forgotten, and all the better for it.
We apologise but the global village is not listed here. You will, however, discover the Nakati village and its mad, mad Sanni Yakuma dance here.
Ever seen 18 demons of disease dancing the night away? We thought not.
In Southern Sri Lanka, dancers in the Nakati Village don grotesque masks with bulging eyes and teeth to symbolize the 18 demons of disease. With vigorously rhythmic movements, they do their thing to entice the sick out onto the dance floor. And once the demon is captured by the local sorcerer, it is bound with iron wires and kept far, far away from the villagers.
The Nakati Village is just one of many unique sights and sounds that still exist in beautiful and (thankfully) obscure Sri Lanka. Her untouched cultural heritage also includes ancient city ruins and zen temples that hark back to eras long gone. There are also unspoilt beaches by the Indian Ocean and wildlife reserves where the animals roam free.
So if you’re looking for something different on your next holiday, don’t forget Sri Lanka and her xxxx local, indigenous villages. None of the villagers have heard of MacDonald’s or Starbucks – yet. So hurry.
Forgotten, and all the better for it.
The time in Sigiriya is GMT +5.30.
To be more precise, it’s 477AD.
Hieroglyphs suggest that the Lion Rock has been occupied by humans from a very early time, even before King Kasyapa built his royal fortress in 477AD. In 1982, it was finally designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Fortunately, Sigiriya is not overrun with tourists and is enchantingly well-preserved – easily transporting one to another time.
After an arduous climb, you would come to appreciate the labour and ingenuity involved in transporting material up this huge mass of rock, some 500 feet in height and 2000 feet in length. Even more remarkably, how did the engineers divert water, a very scarce commodity in the Dry Zone, up the plateau through rock pipes and channels to create lavish royal gardens, fountains and ponds? Still Mother Nature is not outshone here – the stunning panoramic view from Sigiriya is arguably one of the best.
All this is part of Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle which boasts a total of 8 UNESCO World Heritage Sites including the richly painted cave temples of Dambulla. From ancient cities atop massive volcanic rocks to contemporary boutique hotels that meld with the environment, from the white sandy beaches of the Indian Ocean to lush tropical wildlife reserves, Sri Lanka makes for a truly unforgettable holiday.
Forgotten, and all the better for it.
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