Galle is famous for its ancient historical Fort, sunny beaches, blue-green sea and kitsch temples. But I discovered another fascinating place to visit, the Handunugoda Tea Estate, home of the rare and real virgin white teas. Located less than 30 minutes from the Galle Fort, the road to the estate is winding and circuitous, and if not for trusted Google Maps I would very well have…
Category: Asia
Four Religions. Four Fascinating Temples. Colombo Sri Lanka
Colombo is like a throbbing pulse. Busy, bustling, and bursting at its seams. Nevertheless, this capital city is full of surprises; breathtaking, mysterious and fascinating. Colombo is also home to four of the oldest and intriguing places of worship belonging to the four main religions in Sri Lanka, and I am on a journey with…
Nalanda Gedige. Matale Sri Lanka
Vastly ignored and hardly appreciated, the Nalanda Gedige, once the most central point in ancient Ceylon is a remarkable archaeological site with an interesting story, some fascinating carvings and historical significance. According to former Commissioner of Archaeology, Prof. Senerath Paranavitana, there is inscriptional evidence that this was built during the 8th and 9th centuries as an ancient Hindu temple. The Dravidian-style…
Scenic Train Ride. Ella Sri Lanka
“Epic”. “Stunning”. “Awesome”. “Scenic”. “Asia’s Best” These are just some of the adjectives used to describe the train ride from Colombo to Ella and a reason to find out for myself. It is 5.55 a.m on this Friday morning when 35 like-minded friends and adventurers meet (and greet) at Colombo’s Fort Railway Station to catch…
Horton Plains. Misty Mornings and Montane Forests
The entrance to Horton Plains is shrouded in mist. The temperature is 16C and rising slowly. The morning air is damp and fresh dew hangs limply off the commonly found Rhododendron zeylanicum, a couple of which have already started to bloom. In one month’s time the Park will be aglow with its dark red flowers….
A stroll down Jalan Surabaya. Jakarta Indonesia
A visit to Jakarta, Indonesia is not complete without a visit to Jalan Surabaya, the street that has a small part of every part of Indonesia. Jalan Surabaya is a 500-yard stretch of road that is lined with all sorts of antiques, both real and fake. The pieces are an eclectic and sometimes kirsch collection…
An Urban Wetland. A Walk in the Park
It’s an overcast Sunday afternoon, and while the clouds keep the sun at bay, the day is devoid of its usual humidity and seems perfect for walking. Today, like many times before, we are letting our two dogs explore the wetland. Almost a stone’s throw from the Parliament Complex at Sri Jayawardenapura, Kotte, the Diyasaru Uyana (formerly known as the Thalawathugoda Biodiversity…
Family Fun. Bangkok Thailand
Back in Bangkok, I am off to Siam Park City for the launch of ‘Family Fun’, Thailand’s newest tourism promotional campaign targeting families from ASEAN countries, South Asia and South Pacific during the ‘Green Season’. This season is when Thailand’s interior landscape comes to life with lush, verdant views and offers tourists another side to…
Sun. Sand. Sea. Snorkelling. Racha Island Thailand
This is my last day in Phuket. Despite last night’s rain, today is turning out to be a scorcher with the temperature expected to reach 33C. But, after spending my past few weeks in -20C weather (which is another story altogether) I’m relishing this warmth. Today we are being taken to Racha Island and I’m…
Wonderful Karon Beach. Phuket Thailand
The day starts clear and bright with a tinge of wetness in the air. My littoral hotel, the stunning tropically scenic Mövenpick Resort & Spa at Karon Beach adds just the right ambiance to Phuket’s wonderful weather. Courtesy of #TATSriLanka and the Tourism Authority of Thailand, I am enjoying the luxury of the Penthouse Plunge Pool…
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