We also visited St Anthony's shrine in Colombo Kochikade. John and I went in to make some wishes. I made 3 for the health and welfare of my family members.
We had the final meal in Sri Lanka at Flag and Whistle Restaurant & Pub in Setmil Maritime Centre, Kochikade with Bernie and her husband, overlooking Colombo Port whose south harbour is being developed by Hyundai to have 4 terminals of over 1,200m in length each to accommodate 3 berths alongside with depth of 18m and provision to deepen to 23m to accommodate deeper draft vessels of the future.
John had a 5-minute foot reflexology massage at the airport before boarding the plane.
Thoughts and Feelings
It was my first trip to Sri Lanka. Before I went, I thought Sri Lanka would be not much different from the places I visited in India like New Delhi, Agra or Bombay way back in 1974/5. Apparently I was wrong. If not owing to the persistent encouragement from my teammates John and Tay , I would probably have given up and cannot comprehend now how much I had missed.
It is not easy to sum up my thoughts and feelings about Sri Lanka in a few words. One needs to be there to see, touch and feel it. John said this grand yatra has covered 2/3 of Sri Lanka. He may be right in terms of area enclosed by the route we took. In fact, there are many more exciting places which we did not visit. I think we have only covered 10% or less of the places worth visiting in Sri Lanka. Nevertheless, after 8 revisions of the tour plan, we should have covered all the never-to-miss places like Peradeniya, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Horton Plains, Hill Country, Sigiriya, Minneriya National Park, Passikudah Beach, Arugam Bay, Ella, Bandarawela, Galle, Colombo, etc.
Sri Lanka is a beautiful country with many historic sites, vast unexploited natural environment with picturesque spots, scenic coastlines and beaches. This is a place where the flower of tourism should have been in full bloom for years if the soil was not contaminated by the civil turmoil. Sri Lankan people are fortunate to live in this land like no other and I think all Sri Lankans treasure their land, love their country and proud of their own culture. While in Sri Lanka, we were always greeted with warmth and hospitality, not only from friends we know but also from strangers in the street. They were very willing to show us the direction when we lost our way. The smile is always on their faces when they meet foreigners like us as if they are afriad of creating bad impression for their country in foreigners' minds.
I have not been to many countries, but Sri Lanka certainly ranks top amongst the countries I visited. I have to agree with what Marco Polo said - it is the most beautiful island in the world. The time there seems to move slowly and days drift lazily by. Life is leisurely.
The Hill Country
The hill country in the center of Sri Lanka is quite different from the coast. The temperature is cool and the air is fresh, better than the aircon in the van. Most areas are carpeted with lush green colour of the tea plantations. We came across many breath taking views while traveling in the highlands, amidst the clouds.
The scenery of countryside reminds me of the place I stayed in upper Thomson Road when I was very young (minus the weather).
The Beaches
I was speechless when I first looked at the wide and beautiful beach at Passikudah - lovely white sand; blue, clear and calm water. Going to Sri Lanka without going to the beach is like going to a gold mine but not picking up the gold. While at the beach, the feeling is different as compared with looking at a picture of the beach.
Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites
It would be even more interesting and fascinating if I had the time to do some readings on Sri Lanka's history before the trip. There are mystical ancient constructions and historical remains that divulge the lost splendor of the ancient Sri Lanka dynasties. When in Sigiriya, one would wonder how the gigantic lion at the Lion Gate and the palace at the rock top would look like if they still exist today. You would wonder what coloring material they used to paint the frescos which still look brilliant.
Colonial Legacy
Many buildings, designs, furniture and utensils can be found with original colonial features with their Portugese, Dutch and English origins. It is quite a different feeling when you are surrounded by old things like that. You would feel your are living in the past. This is probably the same reason why the British and westerners like to visit the Raffles Hotel in Singapore.
The Roads and IT Infrastructure
These are the two items in Sri Lanka that will not earn a good word from spoiled Singaporeans like us. Can we expect more and better roads with white lines marking the lanes in our next trip to Sri Lanka? But certainly we would not wish to see a metal road built on the trekking trial in Horton Plains or Minneriya National Park.
On the IT side, last month Sri Lanka President said that the progress in the field of IT is essential to achieve the country's development goals on the road to turn Sri Lanka into the Wonder of Asia. I agree as I had problem accessing websites in Singapore while in Sri Lanka. However, as far as I am concerned the goal of turning Sri Lanka into the Wonder of Asia has been achieved. To me, Sri Lanka has always been the Wonder of Asia.
Nevertheless, I returned from this trip with a fresh and good impression of Sri Lanka and its people.
Cheers! Sri Lanka!
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| Statue of Don Stephen Senanayake The first Prime Minister of post colonial Sri Lanka Colombo Independence Square |
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| John The man who created the Grand Yatra Standing in front of the Heliconia Rostrata |
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| Flag and Whistle, Colombo where we had our last drink and meal in Sri Lanka |
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| Flag & Whistle Restaurant & Bar |
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| Garment Factory Outlet, Thimbirigasyaya, Colombo |
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| Garment Factory Outlet, Thimbirigasyaya, Colombo |
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| Garment Factory Outlet, Thimbirigasyaya, Colombo |
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| St Anthony's Shrine where I left my 3 wishes |
