Anyone here been to Sri Lanka?
- Thread starter WATFORD O
- Start date
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Goring Gull
New member
I've got a mate whos Sri Lankan but he loves the place. Colombo can be a bit dodgy but he said the beaches and countryside are fantastic if you like Elephants and Tea.
Goring Gull
New member
I believe there are alot of all inclusive deals as well probably your best bet.
Been all inclusive myself not Sri Lanka but well worth the money.
Been all inclusive myself not Sri Lanka but well worth the money.
Gritt23
New member
Went there for honeymoon and loved it.
Colombo can be a bit intimidating, but we got a guide who drove us round and it was stunning.
We about an hour south of Colombo (the name escapes me but I could look it up). It takes ages to get anywhere as the roads are so poor, and the driving is pretty scary, but it's worth the effort as it's such a beautiful island.
The Sri Lankans themselves are superb. Always polite, friendly and incredibly hardworking.
Really loved it there. Got a picture somewhere of me in full Brighton kit riding an elephant.
Marvellous scenes.
Colombo can be a bit intimidating, but we got a guide who drove us round and it was stunning.
We about an hour south of Colombo (the name escapes me but I could look it up). It takes ages to get anywhere as the roads are so poor, and the driving is pretty scary, but it's worth the effort as it's such a beautiful island.
The Sri Lankans themselves are superb. Always polite, friendly and incredibly hardworking.
Really loved it there. Got a picture somewhere of me in full Brighton kit riding an elephant.
Marvellous scenes.
Eddie the Seagull
New member
A mate of mine went over in 1995 & stayed with a friend of his Dad's place.
One night his place was set upon by rebels & his friends Dad was shot dead.
I kid you not.
Maybe it's calmed down over the last 8 years?
One night his place was set upon by rebels & his friends Dad was shot dead.
I kid you not.
Maybe it's calmed down over the last 8 years?
Juan Albion
Chicken Sniffer 3rd Class
Goring Gull said:
I believe he prefers donkeys.
Dick Knights Mumm
Take me Home Falmer Road
Matthew Kelly. A holiday home in Sri Lanka. Nice and handy.
Juan Albion
Chicken Sniffer 3rd Class
BTW, friend of mine is Sri Lankan. Was forced to leave the country after having a gun stuck to his head for no reason - by the police, who were extremely keen to pull the trigger. This friend was a high-ranking church minister there, not a criminal or revolutionary. When they turned up at his door at night, he sent his wife and toddlers back into the bamboo behind his house - because he felt the highly venomous snakes that lived there were safer than the police.
But perhaps things have changed.
But perhaps things have changed.
watsongooal
New member
I went there in Feb. Superb really good. Went all Inc. First week touring the island 2nd week in beach hotel. Look at an eclipse brochure thats where you get best deals
Gritt23
New member
Reports of trouble exist, but they are predominantly due to the fighting by the Tamil Tigers, and this all happens in the North of the Island, which is the part of the Island they want for themselves. Occasionally problems (fighting) occurs as far south as Colombo, but not any further South (as far as I'm aware).
There was security on the gates of the hotel, but I never really felt this was necessary.
Don't be put off Watford O, as it's a beautiful place full of very kind people, and you would be more likely to have a gun stuck in your face in New York or London.
There was security on the gates of the hotel, but I never really felt this was necessary.
Don't be put off Watford O, as it's a beautiful place full of very kind people, and you would be more likely to have a gun stuck in your face in New York or London.
daveyboybhafc
New member
- Jul 18, 2003
- 63
watch out for the vipers!
Highfields Seagull
Well-known member
DEMOCRATIC SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF SRI LANKA
Head of state: Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga
Death penalty: abolitionist in practice
International Criminal Court: not signed
There was a major improvement in the human rights situation in the context of a cease-fire and peace talks between the government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). However, torture in police custody continued to be reported frequently. Lack of accountability for the perpetrators of human rights violations, including "disappearances" and torture, remained a serious concern. Members of the LTTE were responsible for hostage-taking and widespread recruitment of child soldiers. The President reaffirmed the country's long-standing tradition of automatically commuting death sentences.
From Amnesty International's Annual Report, seems it has been getting better, but still not great re. human rights.
Head of state: Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga
Death penalty: abolitionist in practice
International Criminal Court: not signed
There was a major improvement in the human rights situation in the context of a cease-fire and peace talks between the government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). However, torture in police custody continued to be reported frequently. Lack of accountability for the perpetrators of human rights violations, including "disappearances" and torture, remained a serious concern. Members of the LTTE were responsible for hostage-taking and widespread recruitment of child soldiers. The President reaffirmed the country's long-standing tradition of automatically commuting death sentences.
From Amnesty International's Annual Report, seems it has been getting better, but still not great re. human rights.
Beach Hut
Brighton Bhuna Boy
Went in 1989 for three week holiday with girlfriend - we got married the next year (sported a superb mullet then as well).
Very nice place but not very well developed - probably is now.
We were supposed to be escorted everywhere but one day six of us caught the train to Columbo which was a very interesting day. Stayed down the South in Bentota - small resort with security to keep to locals from begging and selling at an alarming constant rate. Superb beach but two problems - danger of being trampled by stray cows or loads of sex starved men appeared whenever my girlfriend swim as she was blonde which no-one is locally.
Hotel had 4 other english people but by the third week we were isolated and surrounded by stereo type Germans - beach towels, no idea of waiting etc and very arrogant. However two fellow germans of same age as us uprised and revolted and only spoke english for the last week. Battle lines were drawn round the hotel bar and my girlfriend got the dwindling Bacardi supplies sectioned off after ameeting with the hotel manager.
Nothing to do at night, couldn't leave the compound unless escorted. Did have one fantastic lobster meal one night, bloke was fishing on the beach went over to look at his catch and then invited to his house all four of us. Weren't sure if we were supposed to pay or not so left a large tip but the mozzies ate well on us as well that night as we ate on a varandah.
Amazing ritual at hotel around 7 o'clock every night we had bed inspection by "Mrs Ghandi" where there would be a knock on the room door, come in your room, throw petals on your bed and light an anti mozzie device - hilarious and very hard to keep a straight face.
Sri Lankans are very friendly people. There were two young lads who were "Westernised" at the hotel up the other end of the beach where the elephants lived. We went round their house I gave them clothes, soap, shampoo and my treasured Michael Jackson tape and tape recorder no less. Another strange ritual involved only talking to them at night outside the compound - they were not allowed to be seen to mix with "Westerners".
Travelled on several tours - charming sights. Kandy, Tea Plantation, Elephant orphanage (they only place you'll smile when when one treads on your feet), Sygria (as featured in Duran Duran - Save a Prayer Video) and other wonderful sites.
Never seen so many Buddhas in one place at one time, got rather repetitive after a while.
I suspect it may be over developed now but we had a wonderful time - I'd go back again for sure.
Very nice place but not very well developed - probably is now.
We were supposed to be escorted everywhere but one day six of us caught the train to Columbo which was a very interesting day. Stayed down the South in Bentota - small resort with security to keep to locals from begging and selling at an alarming constant rate. Superb beach but two problems - danger of being trampled by stray cows or loads of sex starved men appeared whenever my girlfriend swim as she was blonde which no-one is locally.
Hotel had 4 other english people but by the third week we were isolated and surrounded by stereo type Germans - beach towels, no idea of waiting etc and very arrogant. However two fellow germans of same age as us uprised and revolted and only spoke english for the last week. Battle lines were drawn round the hotel bar and my girlfriend got the dwindling Bacardi supplies sectioned off after ameeting with the hotel manager.
Nothing to do at night, couldn't leave the compound unless escorted. Did have one fantastic lobster meal one night, bloke was fishing on the beach went over to look at his catch and then invited to his house all four of us. Weren't sure if we were supposed to pay or not so left a large tip but the mozzies ate well on us as well that night as we ate on a varandah.
Amazing ritual at hotel around 7 o'clock every night we had bed inspection by "Mrs Ghandi" where there would be a knock on the room door, come in your room, throw petals on your bed and light an anti mozzie device - hilarious and very hard to keep a straight face.
Sri Lankans are very friendly people. There were two young lads who were "Westernised" at the hotel up the other end of the beach where the elephants lived. We went round their house I gave them clothes, soap, shampoo and my treasured Michael Jackson tape and tape recorder no less. Another strange ritual involved only talking to them at night outside the compound - they were not allowed to be seen to mix with "Westerners".
Travelled on several tours - charming sights. Kandy, Tea Plantation, Elephant orphanage (they only place you'll smile when when one treads on your feet), Sygria (as featured in Duran Duran - Save a Prayer Video) and other wonderful sites.
Never seen so many Buddhas in one place at one time, got rather repetitive after a while.
I suspect it may be over developed now but we had a wonderful time - I'd go back again for sure.
Some very dated postings. Was there last year. Civil war is over.
If its beaches you want - fabulous ones in south. If its scenery, culture animals and rain forest then Kandy and the centre is the place to go.
Great place, good curries and reasonable prices.
If its beaches you want - fabulous ones in south. If its scenery, culture animals and rain forest then Kandy and the centre is the place to go.
Great place, good curries and reasonable prices.
dranyam
New member
great scenery, great food, friendly people - just go! make sure you do the elephant orphanage though & help give an ickle baby elephant a bath. aww, bless!
Van der Gully
New member
Sri Lanka is definitely on my must do list, have read all the reports above and it confirms what I had already heard, particularly about the beauty of the place and the warmth of welcome.
If you are worried about visiting a country try checking out the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's website, it is pretty helpful and can advise you of areas of the country that are either safe or best avoided, the site is of use wherever in the World you intend to travel.
Think the only advice I would ever give another traveller is use your common sense, don't think that everywhere will be dangerous because it isn't, if you behave sensibly and don't try to stand out then most often people will just regard you with mild curiousity and no more.
If you are worried about visiting a country try checking out the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's website, it is pretty helpful and can advise you of areas of the country that are either safe or best avoided, the site is of use wherever in the World you intend to travel.
Think the only advice I would ever give another traveller is use your common sense, don't think that everywhere will be dangerous because it isn't, if you behave sensibly and don't try to stand out then most often people will just regard you with mild curiousity and no more.