Travel Eat Drink Like a Local

Mulkirigala Raja Maha Viharaya (MRMV) and the Monastery is an ancient Buddhist Rock Temple constructed by King Saddhatissa in the third century.  Built on a 673ft natural rock, MRMV, in Southern Sri Lanka is also known as 'Punchi Sigiriya' meaning Little Sigiriya. It's surrounded by four other rocks named Benagala, Kondagala, Bisogala, and Seelawathiegala. 'gala' denotes rock in Sinhala. Great beaches as you drive further south from Matara before turning inland. Beaches along your route from Matara before you turn inland  Beaches along your route from Matara before you turn inland The lush land and paddy fields abound on either side of the road as you head to MRMV Once you pull to the parking area at the bottom of the temple complex, there are flower vendors. It's customary to place a flower at the feet of the Buddha with respect to his teachings of impermanence. I believe you need to pay for parking here. There are seven caves with...

Marble Beach is in the Koddiyar Bay in Trincomalee. We passed the famous China Bay before reaching Marble Beach. This has a wonderfully wide clean beach with thick vegetation surrounding it. The ocean is shallow and ideal for relaxing in water, swimming, and play. For the most part of the day you can have the beach all to yourself. There are at least two lifeguards on duty all the time. Only a part of this beach is accessible to the public. The large part of the beach is a private beach operated by the Sri Lanka Air Force with it's wonderful bungalows, dinning areas and chalets. Towards the public access beach Bungalows that belongs to Marble Beach Resort operated by Sri Lanka Navy The food we had there was one of the neatest and most well prepared Sri Lankan style meals we had in Sri Lanka. The service provided by the staff was highest quality(Felt like they were under the command of someone all the time :)) Upon inquiry we were told all these guys have gone through at ...

Ten Reasons why Polhena is my favorite beach in Sri Lanka 1. This is the beach we went to growing up almost every Sunday morning with our dogs in tow. I have seen this beach with no beach and I have seen this beach as wide as it is today, alternating as the nature chooses to. 2. This is the beach known for an awesomely fun and relaxing sea dipping and swimming. One of the best for shallow water sea bathing. 3. This is the beach all travelers stop at before heading down to Kataragama and back making it a great place to watch people from around the country. 4. The shallow ocean feels like a pool. There is a reef at a good distance from the beach that keeps waves from coming in hard and strong creating the effect of a humongous swim pool. 5. The presence of life guards makes you feel safe and availability of showers are one of a kind in Sri Lanka. Don't forget to tip the helpers at the showers with a smile and a kind a word. They will even bring water all the way to yo...

 The Dondra Vishnu Temple Dondra Head is the extreme southern tip of Sri Lanka protruding to the Indian Ocean. There are two main attractions for a tourists in this little village. The Vishnu Temple and the Octagonal, working Light House which is the tallest in Sri Lanka, The Dondra Vishnu Temple Very tall buddha statue on Vishnu Temple grounds Dondra Buddhist Temple

Oh how wonderful it is to wake up in the little town you grew up in! Walk the streets even if they have completely changed. Stop to talk to people who recognize you and wonder how you have been. Show your children around with the stories that accompany locations, people, colors and smells. Just priceless. This is home! Portuguese and  Dutch built fort . Is still in tact even after the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. The entrance to Matara Fort The clock tower River Nilwala meets the Indian Ocean at the lands-end inside the Fort. River Nilwala So glad we got to see one of these; A bullock cart used to deliver goods. It's a rare sight. Bullock Cart Fruit vendors are everywhere... Try them all Durian Mangoostin and Mango Rambutan in the season...don't forget to negotiate Rambutan 8 for 100SLR Rambutan We always make it a point to visit a market or a farmers' market when in a new place. It gives a good sense of the local culture and ...