Sure Travel Journey Vol 4.3 Winter 2018 | Page 28

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D E S T I N A T I O N
P I C K
Left: The statue of reclining Buddha at
Dambulla Cave Temple. Below left: A
dressed dancer celebrating Poya Day,
which takes place on the full moon and
is a day of religious observance for
Sinhalese Buddhists.
©PUTHIKAMPOL / SHUTTERSTOCK
Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle is home to six of
the country’s eight World Heritage Sites, and Kandy
is the perfect base for exploring
©SHEVCHENKO/SHUTTERSTOCK
Sri Lanka’s so-called Cultural Triangle
is home to six of the country’s eight
World Heritage Sites, and Kandy is the
perfect base for exploring the three most
popular: the elaborate cave temples of
Dambulla, the hilltop citadel of Sigiriya
and the remarkable, ancient capital of
Polonnaruwa. While you can tackle them
on a single long day, as I did, it’s better to
28 // MAKE MEMORIES FOR LIFE
spend a few days in the region, soaking up
the 1,000-year-old stories of the kingdoms
that once ruled Sri Lanka.
I’m pushed for time, though, and hop
the 5am express out of Kandy one chilly
Sunday morning. I munch dhal vade for
breakfast and sip the piping hot tea sold
by platform vendors as the train rattles
and clanks its way downhill, offering
another superb panorama of Sri Lanka
from the rails.
Like most travellers to the island, I’m
bookending my stay with some time on the
coast. The island boasts some of the finest
beaches in Asia, with everything from
high-rise hotels to castaway guesthouses
on offer. I spend an afternoon discovering
the historic city of Galle, but am happy to
beat a retreat back to my digs on Mirissa
beach, where bars and restaurants line the
white sands. I regret not heading further
east to Tangalle – home to some of the
finest beaches in the south, I’m told – or
packing my surfboard to spend a week
scouting for unpopulated waves. But that’s
for next time.
In just 10 days on the island I’ve
discovered a remarkable cross-section of
the country, from the crowded streets
of Colombo to serene hilltops, ancient
temples and Instagrammable white
beaches. And yet I’ve barely scratched
the surface. I’ll be back to dive the
reefs of the east coast and to go bird
watching in the pristine Sinharaja Forest
Reserve. Up north the Tamil city of
Jaffna delivers an entirely different
side to Sri Lanka, in both cuisine and
culture, and I still need to spend some
time spotting leopards in Yala. And yes,
to take another stroll through the crazy
streets of Pettah.
TRAVEL PLANNER
GETTING THERE: Emirates and
Q Qatar
Airways offer daily flights
from South Africa to Colombo, via
Dubai/Doha.
GET AROUND: In Colombo you’ll
find tuk-tuk taxis on every corner.
Few will agree to use the meter and
haggling is essential. Expect to pay
around 100 rupees per kilometre.
Uber is available, making for a good
option to get to/from the airport.
Train and bus services link all major
towns and are the most affordable
way to get around. If you prefer a
little more comfort and flexibility, ask
your Sure Travel agent to book a car
and driver for your stay.
WHEN TO GO: Though temperatures
remain fairly constant year-round,
rainfall is heavily influenced by
two separate monsoon seasons.
December to March is the best time
to visit the popular hill country and
southwest coast, while the east
coast enjoys its sunniest months
between May and September. Plan
your visit accordingly.