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Travel

A beach-bum guide to marvellous Mirissa

My trip to Mirissia was one of the best beach-bum breaks I’ve ever had. Move over Phuket, Langkawi and Bondi Beach with your endless boardwalks, “international” restaurants and sugary cocktail bars. The seaside town of Mirissa, along the southernmost coast of Sri Lanka, is the fairest holiday spot of all. Mirissa beach has gorgeous grainy sand the colour of honey, sweeping blue waves and a warm jewel sun that kisses and never burns.

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Travel

An epic journey to the Jewel of the Indian Ocean with Dara from Two Brothers

On the Two Brothers website, Sri Lanka is described as the Jewel of the Indian Ocean. A more evocative name is hard to imagine. It reminds me of a romantic adventure, something like the Jewel of the Nile only with more opulent jewels, regal banquets and charming South East Asian beaches. I wanted to travel to Sri Lanka simply because it sounded magnificent. Sri Lanka’s rich history and poetic stories further sparked my intrigue. According to Hindu legend, Sri Lanka and India were once connected by a long, wooden bridge. Lord Rama crossed the fabled bridge from Dhanushkodi to Sri Lanka to rescue his wife Sita from the demon king Ravana. He eventually slew the evil Ravana to enjoy purity and marital devotion with his beloved Sita.

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Travel

Best of Nuwara Eliya! Highland tea, waterfalls, hot roti and a picturesque train journey

Nuwara Eliya is the stunning highland region of Sri Lanka, remarkable for its green landscape, abundance of natural waterfalls as well as its marked British history that is still very much evident (despite Sri Lankan independence) in the customs, architecture and names of local establishments. Most people visit the region to learn more about tea growing and to try the common brew at one of the many tea plantations.  But don’t just stop for tea on your journey! There is so much to see and experience in beautiful Nuwara Eliya.

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Travel

An off the beaten track guide to hiking in Sigiriya

One of the highlights of my holiday to Sri Lanka was hiking around the legendary Sigiriya Rock. Also known as the Lion Rock, Sigiriya is an ancient rock fortress that was built by King Kashyapa during his reign from 477 to 495 AD. However I did not follow the usual tourist path and walk up Sigiriya Rock itself, which is expensive and crowded. Instead I did some other hiking in Sigiriya area during which I appreciated more magnificent views of the rock fortress and surrounding countryside.