Sri Lanka - Pearl of the Indian Ocean

Route taken and entries by Real Traveler Marshall

1. 1

   Gardens win out over temple

   Kandy, Sri Lanka | Nov 03 '07 | Reviews: 0

   Kandy’s Hotel Suisse is a very grand old place with large public areas, a swimming pool and some nice gardens. It was Lord Mountbatten’s headquar... Continue reading »

    see 8 photos »  
2. 2

   Rock monastery at Matale

   Matale, Sri Lanka | Nov 07 '07 | Reviews: 0

   First real stop was at Matale and the rock monastery of Aluvihara. The caves (really more like ledges under overhanging rocks) are situated among... Continue reading »

    see 5 photos »  
3. 3

   Dambulla caves

   Dambulla, Sri Lanka | Nov 07 '07 | Reviews: 0

   My final stop for the day (and a major site in Sri Lanka) was Dambulla rock monastery. the 300 steps to the top seemed like 3000 in this heat a... Continue reading »

    see 4 photos »  
4. 4

   Old capital of the Sinhalese

   Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka | Nov 09 '07 | Reviews: 0

   Anuradhapura is a long way from anywhere! The Tissewewa Resthouse is a delightful old colonial pile with large verandahs, ceiling fans ... and mo... Continue reading »

    see 13 photos »  
5. 5

   Mihintale

   Mihintale, Sri Lanka | Nov 11 '07 | Reviews: 0

   Mihintale was not part of my plans but the book on Anuradhapura insisted that it was critical for an understanding of Sri Lankan Buddhism. The s... Continue reading »

    see 4 photos »  
6. 6

   Polonnaruwa

   Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka | Nov 12 '07 | Reviews: 0

   Polonnaruwa Resthouse was in the best possible location. Right on the lake .... Continue reading »

    see 8 photos »  
7. 7

   Rock mountain fortress

   Sigiriya, Sri Lanka | Nov 13 '07 | Reviews: 0

   We got to Sigiriya at 9:15 and spent a hour and a half there .. getting up as far as the cave paintings (halfway to the top) I'd seen picture of... Continue reading »

    see 5 photos »  
8. 8

   Splendid hotel but isolated

   Kandalama, Sri Lanka | Nov 14 '07 | Reviews: 0

   When we reached Lake Kandalama my driver pointed out the hotel on the other side of the lake. It has 150 rooms but was hard to see, it is so cover... Continue reading »

    see 4 photos »  
9. 9

   Colombo - difficult city

   Colombo, Sri Lanka | Nov 17 '07 | Reviews: 0

   The word Security takes on new meaning in central Colombo ; lots of streets totally closed off, frequent police and army check points. Grand Orie... Continue reading »

    see 1 photo »  
10. 10

    Quiet town in the Hill Country

    Bandarawela, Sri Lanka | Nov 19 '07 | Reviews: 0

    Rail journey to Bandarawela is 192 kms (119 miles) and the train goes from sea level to a Summit peak of 6226 feet near Pattippok. Bandarawe... Continue reading »

     see 6 photos »  
11. 11

    Second attempt at learning to love the capitol city

    Colombo, Sri Lanka | Nov 23 '07 | Reviews: 0

    I arrive at Fort Station at 4pm,. collected the bag I'd left in storage there and made my way to the Galle Face Hotel,a great old (1864) hotel wi... Continue reading »

     see 5 photos »