Tag: Sri Lanka

Travelling by Bus Around the World or Ride with the Devil

Posted onAuthorRenata Green8 Comments

I always thought if I had the chance to choose on judgment day, I might rather go to hell than to heaven. I’m suffering from acrophobia so a place as high as heaven might scare me to…well, at least it cannot scare me to death anymore. Then, I’m afraid that way up high over the clouds it will be always a little nippy. And I like it hot.

Renata Green on the bus from Delphi to Kalambaka in Greece
I’m definitely a solo traveller – taking the whole alone travel to an even higher level.

But after recent events, I’m not so sure anymore. After I was riding with the devil, I’m afraid I’m not fit for the highway to hell.

This Way to the Whole Story ->

The Ski Instructor of Sri Lanka

Posted onAuthorRenata Green17 Comments

I’m often asked how it is to travel by myself. If I’m not scared. If I don’t get lonely. If I’m not afraid that the sky may fall on my head tomorrow.

A Ski Instructor by himself in a snowy landscape
No, Sri Lanka looks nothing like this. Definitely not.
(Photo: Sondrekv, Påske, detail, cropped to 2:3, CC0 1.0)

The answer has always been no – and meeting Sri Lanka’s only ski instructor was clearly another proof that travelling solo is a great chance to come across people that open up to you in a blink of an eye.

This Way to the Whole Story ->

Guide to the Most Amazing Places in SRI LANKA

Posted onAuthorRenata Green21 Comments

My three-week visit to the Island of Sri Lanka was a mesmerizing experience. The historic remains, the preserved natural richness, the white beaches, and colorful traditional attires were pleasing to the eye and soothing to the soul.

Aradhana Gala in Mihintale, Sri Lanka
One of Sri Lanka’s most sacred places: Aradhana Gala where Buddhist monk Mahinda landed as he met with King Devanampiyatissa.

Let this guide take you to some of the most amazing places this beautiful country has to offer.

This Way to the Whole Story ->

Guide to ANURADHAPURA and MIHINTALE

Posted onAuthorRenata Green6 Comments

Here comes my guide to Anuradhapura. Anu… what? Read my lips: Anuradhapura. It is one of Sri Lanka’s ancient capitals. A visit can easily be combined with a trip to Mihintale, a holy place of Sinhalese Buddhism.

the Abhayagiri Dagaba in the northern part of Anuradhapura
O come, all ye faithful, joyful, and triumphant….to the Abhayagiri Dagaba in the northern part of Anuradhapura.

Although it’s also famous for its ruins of an ancient Sri Lankan civilization, there are pleasingly few tourists around, but huge numbers of truly faithful.

This Way to the Whole Story ->

Guide to POLONNARUWA, the ancient capital of Sri Lanka

Posted onAuthorRenata Green2 Comments

Polonnaruwa was the second capital of Sri Lanka after the destruction of the ancient city of Anuradhapura in 993. Sidenote: I’d like to say that due to their length, these Sri Lankan names are very Social Media-unfriendly.

Statue of King Parakramabahu I in Polonnaruwa
Welcome to the Kingdom of  King Parakramabahu I

Apart from the Brahmanic monuments built by the Cholas, Polonnaruwa consists of the monumental ruins of the garden-city created by Parakramabahu I in the 12th century.

This Way to the Whole Story ->

Guide to SIGIRIYA and a day trip to DAMBULLA

Posted onAuthorRenata GreenLeave a comment

Another day, another place, another homestay:
Here comes a guide to Sigiriya, home of the famous Lion Rock, from where you can go on a quick day trip to Dambulla to see the beautiful cave temples.

Climbing the Lion Rock in Sigiriya before a daytrip to Dambulla
If you really need assistance climbing up, there are many young men willing to help you for a tip.

Sigiriya is probably the most famous and iconic landmark in Sri Lanka, and while it is also a town, it mainly consists of small houses scattered in a jungle-ish area.

This Way to the Whole Story ->

Guide to KANDY and a Temple Hike from Embekke to Pilimathalawa

Posted onAuthorRenata Green4 Comments

During a visit to Kandy – geographically and metaphorically Sri Lanka’s navel – I’d like to guide you to the small town of Embekke from where you can take an idyllic temple hike to Pilimathalawa.

Sri Dalada Maligawa, the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy before a Temple Hike from Embekke
Sri Dalada Maligawa, the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic.

After having spent four days in Kandy, I ask myself: Why?

Honestly, I didn’t really get it. And after some additional online research, I’m definitely convinced that it is almost hysterically overrated.

This Way to the Whole Story ->

The Highlands: Guide to NUWARA ELIYA and HAPUTALE

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Let me guide you to Nuwara Eliya and Haputale in Sri Lanka’s Highlands, an earthly Garden Eden where the world-famous Ceylon Tea is growing.

Tea plantations on the Highlands around NUWARA ELIYA and HAPUTALE
Tea plantations make the landscape seem so soft – albeit, the plant itself is pretty sturdy.

While I was soaking in the dreamy landscape around Nuwara Eliya, the rolling hills covered with tea bushes, the skies opened and within minutes, everything was….soaked.

This Way to the Whole Story ->

Guide to UDAWALAWE – on a Peaceful Safari

Posted onAuthorRenata Green3 Comments

Whatever you like, you’ll find it in Sri Lanka: Whether it’s archeological sites, lush sceneries in the highlands, jungles, beaches – and animals, lots and lots of wild animals and endemic birds. You can observe them on Safaris – where the only kind of shootin’ is with your camera, of course. Although the most popular Safari-site is Yalla, the national park of Udawalawe doesn’t offer only the far cooler name, it grants also a much more idyllic and intimate experience – mainly with elephants, that are not in the room since they are roaming practically everywhere.
Here is a Guide.

Solitary elephant taking a foot bath in Udawalawe
Solitary elephant taking a foot bath.
This Way to the Whole Story ->

MIRISSA – Beach Hopping

Posted onAuthorRenata Green5 Comments

It wasn’t even on purpose that I neatly divided my trip into three parts: a culture tour during the first week, a nature trip during the second, and now it’s the final countdown on the coast.
Beach Hopping from Mirissa.

Mirissa's iconic Parrot Rock with an epic view of both sides of the beach and the wide ocean.
Mirissa’s iconic Parrot Rock with an epic view of both sides of the beach and the wide ocean.

But first I spent two thoughtful and memorable days in Tangalle.

This Way to the Whole Story ->