Wirral Life January 2017 | Page 70

National park is home to the leopard, elephant, sloth bear and buffalo and holidaymakers can get around the park by jeep and also witness crocodiles in their lagoons and monkeys hanging from the trees. GARDENS AND GREENERY The best thing about monsoon season is the rain keeps the landscape lush and green. So, the perfect time to visit the botanical gardens, rainforests and tea plantations is right after monsoon season. Sinharaja, Sri Lanka’s only rainforest is beautiful between February and April to explore flora, fauna and 147 species of birds and butterflies. THE WONDERS OF TEA MAKING It’s no surprise that a tea plantation is a must see in Sri Lanka. The country is known for its tea production and was once the country’s main source of foreign exchange and remains hugely important to its economy. The birthplace of Ceylon tea is Kandy and is perfect for the finest cup as it’s surrounded by hills and highly elevated at 6,200 foot above sea level– perfect for ultimate tea growing. ADVENTURE AND CULTURE Sigiriya Rock Fortress is arguably Sri Lanka’s number one attraction. The 600-foot-high summit boasts an UNESCO World Heritage awarded ancient palace, and offers some of the best views in the country. Sri Lanka is famed for its beautiful 74 wirrallife.com 70 drawings and here is no exception. Halfway up the rock the walls along the rock are adorned with beautiful murals. A trip to Sri Lanka is also not complete unless you have visited Sri Lankan temples during your stay. Dambulla cave temple known as the Golden Temple of Dambulla is another one of Sri Lanka’s World Heritage sites. It is said prehistoric Sri Lankans would have set up home in the caves before the arrival of Buddhism. Kandy is also home to the magnificent Temple of the Tooth where you can see the gold casket said to contain the tooth of Buddha. SRI LANKAN CITIES Galle, Colombo and Kandy are all big unmissable cities in Sri Lanka. Galle is endlessly exotic, bursting with culture and charm, with its wonderful collection of Dutch-colonial buildings, it’s a town of great beauty and home to a 36-hectare Fort boasting little boutique shops, jewellers, cafes and hotelearning Unesco World Heritage Site status. Colombo, Sri Lanka’s capital city is often referred to as ‘the garden city of the East’ and continues to emerge as a must-see when visiting the country. The cities colonial roots are still evident in the architecture as you explore the bustling streets however Colombo is emerging as a stylish cosmopolitan stop for people wanting to experience city life after the relaxation and nature of the rest of Sri Lanka. Stylish eateries, cafes, galleries and museums make Colombo a truly diverse city bounded in history and character.