| R Hulme |
09 August 2005 |
Stayed at Deer Park Hotel - Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka.
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We would recommend anyone visiting Sri Lanka to stay somewhere near to Polonnaruwa as a visit to Sigiriya and the ancient cities is a must. We thought Sigiriya was spectacular and the climb to the top was not as difficult as expected (try to go at the end of the day when temperatures are cooler). Beware of guides who insist on helping you and then ask for a large fee 30 USD is not appropriate and somewhere around 500 rupees is all that is required. Polonnaruwa needs a minimum of 4 hours and the visit should commence with the excellent museum. We found a guide to be invaluable and very reasonable. Unless you have a second stop near to Anuradhapura we did not think sightseeing worth the long journey if you have already visited Polonnaruwa. We rented a micro bus and driver for our trip and found it both excellent value and a pleasurable way to see the country. Our guide spoke excellent English and directed us to various places to stop on route, including a pineapple farm and spice/herb garden. 12 days vehicle hire covering 1500km (Colombo-Polonnaruwa-Anaradhapura-Kandy-Bentota-Galle-Colombo) cost approximately 200GBP
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| E Wagget |
26 May 2005 |
Stayed at Tea Factory, The - Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka.
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Nuwara Eliya does not have a great deal for the sightseer but we went to play golf and relax and the golf course is one of the prettiest we have played and at times we had it all to ourselves!
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| J Ranasinghe |
24 May 2005 |
Stayed at Mount Lavinia Hotel - Colombo, Sri Lanka.
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Colombo - don't drive!! take taxi's!
Must visit - Sigiriya and surrounding cultural triangle. Pinnawela Elephant orphanage.
Shopping - some good stores for cheap good export quality clothes - Odel, Arena, House of Fashion
Advice- leave early on tours, distance is not great but driving is hectic hence give enough time for the road. Don't eat from dodgy road side outlets; take plenty of water, drink plenty of king coconut!!! Sri Lankan Papaya and pineapple is the best in the world!!!!
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| O Tay |
22 May 2005 |
Stayed at Galle Face Hotel - Colombo, Sri Lanka.
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It is easy to go up and down Galle Road by public bus, instead of dealing with the insouciance of the three-wheeler drivers parked outside the hotel, who will overcharge for very short rides and often won't accept reasonable offers.
Just ask a friendly local at the bus stop opposite the hotel on Galle Road, if the bus goes down to wherever your destination is and hop on. A chap holding a bunch of tickets will come up to you and get your fare. Be ready with small change. The fare for a trip to where the Barefoot boutique is costs about Rs.5-8.
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| J Ranasinghe |
21 May 2005 |
Stayed at Trans Asia - Colombo, Sri Lanka.
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take a tuk tuk ride!
In the city - Eat Lamprais! Don't overkill on rice and curry, you will end up with indigestion due to the excessive use of chilli powder. Take gaviscon/digene :-)
Don't change currency at the hotel, rate is very low.
Plenty of nice restuarant with great atmosphere to go to. Visit Galleria Paradise Road.
Gay scene at Kolu's! super!
Shoppping - Odel, Arena, House of Fashion, Paradise Road
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| G Newall |
17 April 2005 |
Stayed at Taj Airport Garden - Negombo, Sri Lanka.
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Sri Lanka is just gorgeous. Stunning beaches and clear blue warm water. Galle Fort is interesting for a day or so. We also did a safari in one of the National Parks, which was fantastic. Had a wonderful dinner in the Sun House in Galle. Food at the Amans is also good, though you need order well ahead of being hungry.
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| J Williams |
09 April 2005 |
Stayed at Citadel Hotel - Kandy, Sri Lanka.
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From this hotel we were close to the Pinnewala Elephant reserve, great for families to see these amazing creatures close up. Central Kandy was very accessible with lots of interesting sights and walks. We visited a tea plantation and factory nearby which was very informative and a Batik factory and shop. On the Kandy to Colombo road on the way back we stopped at one of the Spice plantations (no.100) which we toured with a Guide, had a complimentary massage with some of their products and obviously bombarded with sales talk to buy some (quite) expensive products.
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| S Parr |
22 March 2005 |
Stayed at Suisse, Hotel - Kandy, Sri Lanka.
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Temple of the tooth and cultural show are worth visiting. Evening meal at Madame Helgas although fairly expensive is a must for ambience, fantastic food, and breathtaking views.
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| A Kirk |
18 March 2005 |
Stayed at Grand Oriental Hotel - Colombo, Sri Lanka.
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Just a short visit to Sri Lanka of 7 nights and although usually an independent traveller preferring to use local transport, we booked a very good holiday with Mr. Lindley who has a Tourist Office right near the Ist Class Booking Office at Colombo Fort Railway Station. For a modest fee two of us had our own use of a mini bus and driver with bed and breakfast at hotels in the Central Highlands. Sri Lanka is very cheap to travel in as is eating out. A good place to visit with friendly people.
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| M Howe |
01 March 2005 |
Stayed at Suisse, Hotel - Kandy, Sri Lanka.
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The Devon restaurant was cheap and cheerful, the Rams restaurant tended to trade on its reputation within the Lonely Planet guide. Peradeniya Botanical Gardens were worth a visit along with elephant orphanage
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Sri Lanka travel tales 
