Is this the right place for info on a visit to Sri Lanka?
No, that would be the Sri Lanka - General forum.Is this the right place for info on a visit to Sri Lanka?
Sorry If this is not in the right forum.In early February 2019, my wife and I flew to Colombo, Sri Lanka. This was our first visit to this country.
Taking a taxi to a hotel in south Colombo, we were amazed at the way people drove. Having driven in several Asian countries we have seen lots of questionable driving practices, but nothing like we saw here. If there are rules they are well hidden! Chaos is probably the best I can say, but I must also say that we saw no accidents. Traffic moves around, often with just mm between them and any small gap in the traffic is quickly filled by a bus, tuk tuk, car, truck, motor bike, scooter, tractor or whatever other means of traffic is available. My advise is that you do not drive yourself in Colombo. The cost of a car and driver is much the same as hiring a car for a day; in fact it is probably cheaper and much safer.
A car and driver took us south, following the west coast road, to Ulugama, near Bentoto, about a 2 hour journey. The following day we went on a Bentoto river tour. Any tour is called a safari, even if it only takes a few minutes. This was quite enjoyable and the guide was very good, picking out lots of features and species for us. Several bird species were seen, along with Purple-faced leaf monkeys, squirrels,water monitors, snakes, frogs, a chameleon and fruit bats. Well worth the 2 hours spent on the boat. Later on we walked around a small park, with a lake, where again several bird species were seen and photographed. The next day we had a tuk tuk tour. This is always a good way of seeing an area at a very reasonable cost. All you have to do is stop a driver and explain what you want to do and see. Always ask for a set price for his time, and if you think it is too much then make him an offer. Bear in mind that wages here are not high, so be prepared to give him a bit more at the end, considering the time spent and how helpful he was. Most tuk tuk drivers have enough English to be able to understand each other. Everywhere we went we found folks to be friendly and helpful.
Further south, in another car, we arrived in Galle, where we had look at the large fort. Very large fort! Also near here we had a visit to a moonstone mine and showroom. Interesting to see and learn about moonstones, but they were a bit too expensive for us to buy. Lots of interesting old buildings here.
Still following the coast and heading around the southern parts we arrived at Weligama, a small picturesque fishing town with really nice beaches. Birds are easy to see around here. Not far away is Mirissa, where there are again nice beaches. From here you can take a boat to see the blue whales, not far offshore. We did not do this, but probably should have! Instead we walked around, spending some time at the harbour looking at a variety of fishing boats and a quiet stroll along the beach.
We continued on, by car, through some nice scenic areas, to Tangalla. We stayed in a place a few kilometres from the town, besides a small lake, and surrounded by quite thick vegetation. There were lots of birds here. Egrets, spoonbills, herons, water hens, kingfishers and several waders were all easy to photograph. Oriental magpie robins, koels, rose-ringed parrots and several other species all easy to spot. Good place.
Next place we stopped was Hambantoa along side a large salt mining area. There were a few birds to be seen but too far away to get decent pictures. Several painted storks seen here, also several grey langurs, sunbirds,wild peafowl, babblers and several other unidentified birds, plus one long, thin snake. This is a drier region. Up now we had been seeing very lush green vegetation everywhere. This was an area badly affected by the 2004 tsunami and where many people lost their lives. Another interesting harbour, with many colourful fishing boats. The town is also quite interesting, with a variety of old buildings, mosques etc.. The following day we set off early to see Bundala National Park, in one of the many safari vehicles that travel here each day. As there were only 2 of us we had plenty of room. On entry we paid the fees and were allocated a guide. Although his English was not too good we managed OK., and he was really good at quickly spotting the wildlife and identifying each species. He was also armed with a bird field book, which came in very handy. A fairly dry area, with coastal wetlands and lagoons here and there. These were mostly dry but some still held enough water to attract a variety of species, including water buffalo and elephants, toque macaques and grey langurs . Along the banks of one large lagoon there were some quite large mugga crocodiles. Many birds species can be seen here including the National bird, the Sri Lankan junglefowl. Quite spectacular bird with a beautiful golden comb. Many birds were close enough to photograph. A few mammals were also seen including a mongoose and a jackal. I can recommend a visit to Bundala to anyone interested in wildlife. After our enjoyable trip to Bundala we returned to our hotel and then took a tuk tuk into the town where we walked around the shops, markets and harbour. After 11 days in Sri Lanka we saw our first shower of rain which was badly needed in this part of the country. By the next morning virtually all signs of rain had disappeared.
Another tuk tuk took us to the Botanic gardens. About a 30 minute journey. This is a very large place-- too big for us to walk around, so we caught a ride on a sightseeing vehicle. Parts of these gardens have been here for many years, and one feature is the many trees that have been planted by well known people over the years. A lot of the area is still being developed and in a few more years will a great place to visit. A major international airport is also being developed here, as well as a major port, with some very big transport structures,roads etc.. Although there are many birds that inhabit the gardens they are not easy to see, remaining mainly in the tops of quite large trees. They can be heard throughout the gardens.
Our next stop was at Tissamaharama , or Tissa for short.
I will add to this at a later time........
Thank you. I will try to get it right in future!It isn't, as @FunkyGibbon said, but I'm happy to move it![]()
I myself did a river cruise and trip to Galle it’s a very unique place indeed!In early February 2019, my wife and I flew to Colombo, Sri Lanka. This was our first visit to this country.
Taking a taxi to a hotel in south Colombo, we were amazed at the way people drove. Having driven in several Asian countries we have seen lots of questionable driving practices, but nothing like we saw here. If there are rules they are well hidden! Chaos is probably the best I can say, but I must also say that we saw no accidents. Traffic moves around, often with just mm between them and any small gap in the traffic is quickly filled by a bus, tuk tuk, car, truck, motor bike, scooter, tractor or whatever other means of traffic is available. My advise is that you do not drive yourself in Colombo. The cost of a car and driver is much the same as hiring a car for a day; in fact it is probably cheaper and much safer.
A car and driver took us south, following the west coast road, to Ulugama, near Bentoto, about a 2 hour journey. The following day we went on a Bentoto river tour. Any tour is called a safari, even if it only takes a few minutes. This was quite enjoyable and the guide was very good, picking out lots of features and species for us. Several bird species were seen, along with Purple-faced leaf monkeys, squirrels,water monitors, snakes, frogs, a chameleon and fruit bats. Well worth the 2 hours spent on the boat. Later on we walked around a small park, with a lake, where again several bird species were seen and photographed. The next day we had a tuk tuk tour. This is always a good way of seeing an area at a very reasonable cost. All you have to do is stop a driver and explain what you want to do and see. Always ask for a set price for his time, and if you think it is too much then make him an offer. Bear in mind that wages here are not high, so be prepared to give him a bit more at the end, considering the time spent and how helpful he was. Most tuk tuk drivers have enough English to be able to understand each other. Everywhere we went we found folks to be friendly and helpful.
Further south, in another car, we arrived in Galle, where we had look at the large fort. Very large fort! Also near here we had a visit to a moonstone mine and showroom. Interesting to see and learn about moonstones, but they were a bit too expensive for us to buy. Lots of interesting old buildings here.
Still following the coast and heading around the southern parts we arrived at Weligama, a small picturesque fishing town with really nice beaches. Birds are easy to see around here. Not far away is Mirissa, where there are again nice beaches. From here you can take a boat to see the blue whales, not far offshore. We did not do this, but probably should have! Instead we walked around, spending some time at the harbour looking at a variety of fishing boats and a quiet stroll along the beach.
We continued on, by car, through some nice scenic areas, to Tangalla. We stayed in a place a few kilometres from the town, besides a small lake, and surrounded by quite thick vegetation. There were lots of birds here. Egrets, spoonbills, herons, water hens, kingfishers and several waders were all easy to photograph. Oriental magpie robins, koels, rose-ringed parrots and several other species all easy to spot. Good place.
Next place we stopped was Hambantoa along side a large salt mining area. There were a few birds to be seen but too far away to get decent pictures. Several painted storks seen here, also several grey langurs, sunbirds,wild peafowl, babblers and several other unidentified birds, plus one long, thin snake. This is a drier region. Up now we had been seeing very lush green vegetation everywhere. This was an area badly affected by the 2004 tsunami and where many people lost their lives. Another interesting harbour, with many colourful fishing boats. The town is also quite interesting, with a variety of old buildings, mosques etc.. The following day we set off early to see Bundala National Park, in one of the many safari vehicles that travel here each day. As there were only 2 of us we had plenty of room. On entry we paid the fees and were allocated a guide. Although his English was not too good we managed OK., and he was really good at quickly spotting the wildlife and identifying each species. He was also armed with a bird field book, which came in very handy. A fairly dry area, with coastal wetlands and lagoons here and there. These were mostly dry but some still held enough water to attract a variety of species, including water buffalo and elephants, toque macaques and grey langurs . Along the banks of one large lagoon there were some quite large mugga crocodiles. Many birds species can be seen here including the National bird, the Sri Lankan junglefowl. Quite spectacular bird with a beautiful golden comb. Many birds were close enough to photograph. A few mammals were also seen including a mongoose and a jackal. I can recommend a visit to Bundala to anyone interested in wildlife. After our enjoyable trip to Bundala we returned to our hotel and then took a tuk tuk into the town where we walked around the shops, markets and harbour. After 11 days in Sri Lanka we saw our first shower of rain which was badly needed in this part of the country. By the next morning virtually all signs of rain had disappeared.
Another tuk tuk took us to the Botanic gardens. About a 30 minute journey. This is a very large place-- too big for us to walk around, so we caught a ride on a sightseeing vehicle. Parts of these gardens have been here for many years, and one feature is the many trees that have been planted by well known people over the years. A lot of the area is still being developed and in a few more years will a great place to visit. A major international airport is also being developed here, as well as a major port, with some very big transport structures,roads etc.. Although there are many birds that inhabit the gardens they are not easy to see, remaining mainly in the tops of quite large trees. They can be heard throughout the gardens.
Our next stop was at Tissamaharama , or Tissa for short.
I will add to this at a later time........