December 2021 – Page 3 – Astral Travel Sri Lanka

Sigiriya

Enjoy climbing the breath-taking Sigiriya Rock. 2,000 years ago this colossal rock was once the palace of a Sinhalese king. There is little left of the palace but the breathtaking views over North-Central Sri Lanka that can be seen from the top is stunning

Things to see and do:

Take a walk through the beautiful water gardens, which have been restored by UNESCO to give visitors a rare insight into what they once might have been like.

Take a look at the ancient graffiti on the mirror wall, which is no longer reflective but bears the stamps of visitors from over a thousand years ago

Stand in amazement as you near the summit and view the gigantic pair of lion’s paws that have been cut right out of the rock and appear to guard the topmost region of the fortress.

Dambulla

The gateway to this region and the first of its historical sites is Dambulla, home to Sri Lanka’s most impressive cave temples. The temples are over 2,000 years old and have been an important place of worship in Sri Lanka since the 1^st century BC. The five large caverns are filled with brightly coloured frescoes and Buddah statues

Things to see and do:

Check out the 15m long reclining Buddha daubed in brightly coloured natural paints

Weave between the statues of Buddha and Hindu gods in the biggest cave as you look at the beautiful frescoes depicting Buddha’s life and be inspired by original Kandy art

Trincomalee

Trincomalee and more specifically its beaches, Uppuvelli and Nilaveli are the most popular destinations on the East Coast. With clear sea some of the best scuba diving spots in the country are what really make this place worth visiting there are plenty of interesting historical and religious sites also to explore

Things to see and do:

Whales and dolphins are plentiful in this area between April and October

Pigeon Island is one of the best places for scuba diving and snorkeling in Sri Lanka

The many Hindu temples in the area are well worth visiting

Fort Frederick offers the imperial influence Built by the Portuguese, adapted by the Dutch, and finally re-decorated by the British, this Fort captures the colonial feel

Arugam Bay

Arugam Bay is popular with surfers, a lively beach resort with many bars and restaurants to tantalise your taste buds. There is plenty of accommodation on offer and a wealth of different activities to keep you entertained. The surrounding area of jungle, mangrove swamps, hidden beaches and grassy plains is worth exploring.