For most of last year, travelling wasn’t a choice for any of us. We were all locked up in our homes with nowhere to go. The Instagram travel throwbacks definitely didn’t make it any easier. Even though the travel restrictions have started easing up, it is still not the safest or the smartest choice to travel overseas with all the quarantine measures and the new COVID-19 variants coming into light. Lucky for us Lankans, we have some of the best travel spots to see and explore right here in this little island we call home.
This underwater pond allegedly built by King Ravana is a Must-See attraction in Ella. The pond lies deep inside a cave known as the Ravana cave. There’s a lot of rock climbing and squeezing into enclosed spaces so it is an ideal visit for people who are up for an adventure. The beauty of the crystal clear water that gives a blue effect when reflected on light will be worth every scrape and bruise from this escapade.
This is the only blowhole in Sri Lanka and is said to be the second largest in the world. Located in Kudawella, a little village in the South, this tourist attraction shoots water up to a height of 25m – 30m depending on the tide and formation of waves.
The view from the top of the mountain is spectacular but that’s just not it. It also happens to be the largest ironwood forest and pink quartz mountain in the whole of Asia. Jathika Namal Uyana has a sacred history of over 500 million years and is considered to be a human sanctuary. While the Anuradhapura district is home to many other artifacts and historical sites, the Namal Uyana stands out and deserves a visit.
While hotels and villas in the wild might have good food and less bugs, the wildlife experience only comes through a proper stay in the jungle. The government circuits have bungalows in the National Parks of Yala, Wilpattu, Wasgamuwa, Udawalawe and etc. With the right kind of luck, you can witness elephants, bears, leopards and other animals roaming right outside the bungalow. The stay is not as luxurious as one would prefer but it is unquestionably a worthy experience.
Jaffna is a part of Sri Lanka that never got to fully outshine in terms of tourism given its history. After the war ended in 2009, people began to fully experience and appreciate the beauty of the Nothern Province. Among the many places to visit and explore, the Delft Island is one like no other. Off the coast of Jaffna is an island that is quite different to the modern day world. The one hour ferry ride to the island is a unique escapade in itself. With not a single restaurant in the island and only a population of about 6000 people, this Island is a must visit for a once in a lifetime experience.
These are just a few of the places that enhance the historic value, culture, tradition and beauty of Sri Lanka. If you haven’t made any travel plans so far, try sticking to this list and ticking them off one by one. These places are definitely worth a visit or two. You can also up your Instagram game with the right angles and hashtags! However, it is important to stay alert on the current situation and abide by the necessary guidelines.
