Hot Air Ballooning in Sri Lanka

by Pushpitha Wijesinghe July 16, 2012 November 13, 2019

Some observe from land, others survey from the waters, while the more daring watch from up and above. Enjoy the hawk eye view from joy riding on a hot air balloon where every seat has a jaw dropping view of the picturesque scenery unfolding beneath you.

Sri Lanka, the pearl of the Indian Ocean offers panoramic views of beautiful green landscapes, exotic beaches that cocoon this tear drop island and many a cultural and heritage sites that never fail to amaze the onlooker. So how does one get about to getting the ultimate sightseeing experience of this paradise island? The answer comes in the exhilarating prospect of hot air ballooning. When conventional sightseeing gets boring, here is the absolute thrilling means of enjoying the natural beauty of this Island.

Enjoy the dramatic views of winding rivers, cascading waterfalls, cultural site, beautiful mountains and local urban homestead that define this island unfold beneath you as you soar above them. The unique aspect of hot air ballooning is that no two rides are the same for always the flight routes are varied and the course of direction is never the same. Typically, flights take off into the rising sun at dawn break offering spectacular sights of the awakening islanders. Generally a flight will take you over the island for a good four hours and its is perfectly safe given the fact that there is always a jeep below the flight path with continuous communication with the pilot to make sure your slight in a smooth flow.

Hot air ballooning is heavily dependent on the weather and climate conditions and while no particular day is the perfect day to soar the best season for hot air ballooning ideally would be any day between October and April. With the lack of rain and light winds to carry you creates the perfect condition to best enjoy the panorama beneath you. If you are a foreign traveller or a local travelling the distance enjoy the accommodation at one of the hotels Sri Lanka that are in close vicinity to hot air ballooning institutes. Aitken Spence Hotels are an exemplary choice offering some of the best hotels Sri Lanka. Within these beautiful accommodations you will find the finest of Sri Lankan hospitality.

Destinations

Waterfalls in Nuwara Eliya

by Pushpitha Wijesinghe June 16, 2012 November 13, 2019

Known as the “Little England” of Sri Lanka, Nuwara Eliya in the local language means ‘city on the plain’. It is 2000m above sea level and faces Sri Lanka’s highest mountain peak; Pidurutalagala. A cool climate throughout the year led to the city becoming the retreat of British rulers during the colonial era. Today it is most frequented by tourists and locals alike during the month of April, when the flowers are in full bloom and motor vehicle and horse racing events take over the town in style.

However, Nuwara Eliya has plenty of attractions year round, waterfalls being one of them. Witness the rush of milky white water cascading down on rocky outcrops from mountain tops, falling down with majestic force and then turning into clear pools or quiet streams; watching these waterfalls makes you wonder whether any of man’s creations will ever match up to the beauty of nature.

Devon Falls and St. Clairs are the most famous waterfalls in Nuwara Eliya. While the former falls down in three cascades the latter has two cascades and is frequently visited by bathers because of easy access through a footpath. This hill town also has Sri Lanka’s tallest falls, Bambarakanda Ella, where water falls from a height of 263m. Baker’s Waterfall is located close to another sightseeing area, World’s End, and is named after Sir Samuel Baker, the Britisher who found it. The Lovers Leap Ella, Ramboda, Poona Oya Ella, Devathura Ella, Gerandi Ella, Laksapana and Ambaragama are a few other waterfalls that one can visit. Queen Victoria Park, Haggala Botanical Garden, Galway’s Land Bird Sanctuary, Horton Plains and Single Tree Hill are also part of the many must-see places in Nuwara Eliya.

Since the time of the British this city has made a name for itself amongst Sri Lanka hotels, having world-class lodging and accommodation. The many Nuwara Eliya bungalows have also been transformed to hotels. Jetwing Warwick Gardens is one such bungalow, constructed during the time of the British it is designed based on architecture similar to a Scottish mansion and is located close to many of the attractions in Nuwara Eliya.

Adventures

Sea Turtles in the Moonlight

by Pushpitha Wijesinghe March 7, 2012 November 13, 2019

Sri Lanka, located just south of the Indian Peninsula, is blessed with some of the most beautiful gold sandy beaches in the world. One of the most beautiful and undisturbed beaches in Sri Lanka is the Rekawa Beach, located just 10km from the Tangalla Bay. This golden sandy beach is an extremely beautiful and relaxing beach, with warm blue waves breaking on the beach every now and then. It is also one of the largest Turtle Nesting Areas in Sri Lanka, and is thus pivotal to the eco-system of Sri Lanka.

One of the most amazing and once in a life time experiences that the Rekawa Beach offers is Night Turtle Watching. Since this beach is an important Turtle Nesting Area, hundreds of sea turtles make their way to the shore to lay their eggs and give life to the next generation of sea turtles. The Rekawa Beach is highly populated by majestic sea turtles that can grow up 4 feet in length and can weigh up to 600kg.

The best time to witness this amazing experience is during the months of January, February, March and April under the light of the full moon. One usually has to wait for a few hours without making a sound as the turtles are most agitated when they are about lay their eggs. It is indeed an amazing sight to see the large sea turtles quietly and laboriously make their way on to the beach, and dig not one, but two holes to lay her eggs. One of these holes is a decoy hole which the sea turtle digs to keep her eggs safe from predators, and lays her eggs in the other hole before making her way back to the sea. It is truly unbelievable to see the effort and care the sea turtle takes to ensure her eggs are safe, which displays the beauty of nature. There are guides available along the beaches, who will take you through this amazing process. So to witness this amazing feat of nature, head over to the beaches of Rekawa.

One of the best hotels to stay in while you enjoy the beauty of the South of Sri Lanka is the Jetwing Tangalla Bay, a premier Sri Lanka beach resort. Offering serene accommodation in 34 superior and deluxe rooms, the Jetwing Tangalla Beach is one of the best hotels to absorb the beauty of the beach. With two exquisite restaurants, Jacuzzi facilities, relaxing bars and sprawling lawns & grounds, the Jetwing Tangalla Bay is among the finest Sri Lanka hotels.

Destinations

A Sun Worshippers Paradise

by Pushpitha Wijesinghe February 10, 2012 November 13, 2019

Visit beautiful Unawatuna which is one of the best beaches in the world. Just south of Galle and a three hour drive from Colombo it is a sun drenched, palm fringed, crescent shaped, golden stretch of sand curving along the calm waters of a cerulean bay, with headlands on either end. The relatively unspoilt nature of the area makes it a popular destination for holidaymakers. Protected by a double reef, the calm seas attract swimmers, surfers and snorkelers who spend their days revelling in the warm ocean, lazing on the golden sands working on their tan, playing beach volleyball or simply taking in the stunning views including red tinted tropical sunsets.

Some great diving sites are only a short boat ride away including a reef teeming with tropical fish and more interestingly three wrecks; one a hundred year old wreck known as the Rangoon still intact for the most part, another called the Tango lying close by and Lord Nelson a more recent wreck are all excellent dive sites. Excellent PADI certified dive schools nearby provide guidance and the latest equipment to intrepid divers. The best months for diving at Unawatuna are from October to April.

Stay at one of the quirkily named guest houses or hotels and home stays in the village of Yaddehimulla in Unawatuna. Visitors will find that it caters to their every want with restaurants and cafes, internet cafes, tuk tuk (three-wheeler vehicles) stands and village shops stocked with visitor necessities. Sample seafood and local dishes at beach cafes and enjoy partying all night. The laidback atmosphere and the lack of big hotels and crowds are amongst Unawatuna’s many charms.

Rumassala the headland to the north west of Unawatuna beach has its own legend as to how it came to be. This legend has its roots in the Ramayana epic and is a way of explaining the abundance of medicinal plants found on the hill, a rare phenomenon in the area. Visit the temple on the hill, from which there are uninterrupted views of the adjacent areas and of fiery sunsets. Some sixty species of endemic birds such as egrets, herons, sandpipers, kingfishers, whistling ducks and more can also be spied from Rumassala.

If it is the right time of year, lucky visitors can see turtles come up on the beach to lay their eggs. However, visitors can also visit turtle hatcheries located about a fifteen minute bus ride away. Unawatuna is also a convenient location from which to visit Galle and the other coastal cities nearby. Take a tuk tuk to these sights and enjoy a very special experience.

With a modern fleet of vehicles to suit any occasion, Malkey Rent A Car, has been a well known Sri Lanka car rental company for over thirty years. With its emphasis on customer care and safety coupled with its fair pricing policy, the company is a natural choice among Sri Lanka travel options for visitors and locals alike.

Destinations

A Sun Worshippers Paradise

by Pushpitha Wijesinghe January 17, 2012 November 13, 2019

Providing convenience in reaching many of the island’s attractions, Malkey Travel & Tours is a Sri Lanka car rental company offering customer service of the highest quality. With one of the most modern and largest fleets in Sri Lanka, the company presents sri lanka car hire options for self driven or chauffer driven car rentals. Contributing to the development of the Sri Lanka travel industry, they offer a range of vehicles from luxury, premium and general cars to buses and vans.

Adventures

Bird Watching in Negombo

by Pushpitha Wijesinghe December 4, 2011 November 13, 2019

Located along the seaside, Negombo is an idyllic town on Sri Lanka’s West coast that offers travellers a laidback holiday getaway. Known for its picturesque natural scenery, the area provides nature lovers plenty of opportunities to experience the rich biodiversity of the Island. Among the many possible outdoor pursuits in the region, bird watching in Negombo is a popular activity and one that offers plenty of opportunities to take a look at a wide range of avifauna in their natural habitat.

One of the best spots for bird watching is at the Muthurajawela Marsh which is the island’s largest peat bog and where one can see migratory species as well. With its origins believed to date back to around 5000 B.C, this ecologically diverse marsh and wetlands which includes the Negombo lagoon covers an area of approximately 6,000 hectares.

Home to a variety of reptiles, insects and fish, the Muthurajawela Marsh has recorded around 102 bird species which include 19 migratory ones. Due to its diverse wetland eco system, the marsh attracts various types of birds including those who depend on the aquatic life as a food source. Egrets, little and Indian cormorants, kingfishers and purple herons, black-crowned night herons, black bitterns, chestnut bitterns, little grebe and the white-breasted water hen are some of the species one can come across while exploring the wetlands.

The country also attracts a considerable number of migratory birds, some of which can be seen here. Among these are the whiskered tern, Eurasian curlew, curlew sandpiper and the Whimbrel which are classified as ‘waders’, while migrant forest birds include the brown shrike, grey wagtail, Asian paradise flycatcher and the greenish warbler. Resident forest birds like the little minivet, white-bellied drongo, rose-ringed parakeet and Sri Lanka green pigeon can be also spotted along with such birds of prey as the Brahminy kite, palled harrier and shikra.

Those planning to indulge in some bird watching when on holiday will find many Hotels in Sri Lanka within easy reach of Negombo. Offering some of the best rates among the many Negombo Hotels, Jetwing Beach is ideally located along the coast and makes a great base from which to explore the region.

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