Crowds, Queues & Christmas

As the cold December breeze blows, the city of Colombo takes up a whole new face of festivity and celebration as it provides evident motions to mark the dawn of Christmas and New Year around the corner. In Sri Lanka, though the majority of the population is Buddhists, Christmas is well celebrated in splendor due to the multi ethnic composition of the country.

During this festive season where shopping becomes an addiction, it is advisable to be prepared for extra hours of traffic and long standing queues in each and every shopping mall. In this context traveling is made easier in Sri Lanka by transport service providers such as Kings Rent A Car Colombo who offer contented taxi services with professional drivers, who knows in and out of Colombo to avoid the traffic and take you to your destination without a hassle. Though the public transportation services are respectable in Sri Lanka. Rent a car services also play a significant role in catering to a fair share of the island’s transportation requirements.  

As the sun dips itself in to the horizon, the spirit of celebration comes to life in Colombo. During the month of December all public places are crowded with ‘all-things-Christmas’ from giant Christmas trees, smiling Santa faces to carol services, creating all the details to complete the statement – wonderland. Colombo has its own customs and traditions of celebrating the season, for example: the 31^st night New Year count down at Galle Face Green followed by numerous parties and events can be highlighted, where the residents of Colombo and its suburbs enjoy a wonderful evening of gala by the seashore.

‘White Christmas’ however is not the word for Christmas in Sri Lanka. But for anyone who wants a bit of snow during Christmas can experience artificial snow at a special dedicated amusement park in Colombo.  With a year coming to its end family gatherings, Christmas feasts and everything else from clearance sales to bulk discounts from all sorts of stores, the residents of Colombo can embrace the coming New Year with a smile. 

Rapids and Waves of Sri Lanka

With a gorgeous coastal line around the island - courtesy of the Indian Ocean and majestic cascades of water gushing down from the chilling mountain tops of the hill country, Sri Lanka an ideal destination for those who adore water sports. Sri Lanka is blessed with friendly and safe beaches around the country which propels Sri Lanka higher on the list of ‘the beaches with the most ideal surfing conditions’. From surfing to jet skiing and ferry rides to white water rafting, the Island is a promising venture of adventure.  

Head down to Hikkaduwa or Arugam Bay where you are entitled to experience sun, sand and waves along with hospitality at its best. If your heart is craving, for something which is a bit more adventures, you can find a considerable amount of white water rafting camps that are up to the international standards. In a matter of few hours or even minutes, you can shift from the grumbling beaches to the surging rivers as per your heart’s content. In terms of travelling, service providers like Kings Rent A Car Colombo can ease the trouble of travelling inside Sri Lanka. Rent a car and drive away to your adventure while you add more value to your journey.

The ideal time for surfing in Sri Lanka is from April to October, when the ocean waves and the wind conditions are ideal. However it is best to pre-reserve accommodation in Arugam Bay or Hikkaduwa, for many surfers around the world flock to the eastern coast during this season. Not to forget the evening gatherings and the beach festivals that take place during this season, mainly targeting the hefty surferholic troops who come down for surfing.

On the other hand, white water rafting in Sri Lanka is a breath taking experience. Rafting down the picturesque Kelani river in Kitulgala consists of 5 major rapids and 4 minor rapids, (figures are subject to change according to the travel consultant) suitable for anyone above the age of 10. The good thing about white water rafting in Sri Lanka is that nine out of ten rafting camps offer a complete package where you can arrange tours as per your wish, including or excluding meals etc.

May it be surfing or rafting or any other water sport, it is important that you are geared with approved safety gear. Check for the registration and the recognition of your agent before you enter unknown waters. With all of the above in the right order, set yourself free and play along with the rapids and waves of Sri Lanka! 

Down South - Perfect Weekend Getaway

Although the whole of Sri Lanka is blessed with countless places to see and things to do, the island’s south is widely regarded by armies of visitors to be a quintessential tourist hub.

There is a wide array of pristine beaches and cultural destinations as well as a carefree culture which mirrors the exuberant spirit of the south’s local and foreign visitors. The belt of major cities and towns that feature prominently in the tourism belt down south are Galle, Hikkaduwa, Unawatuna, Wadduwa and Mirissa.

Each contains its own unique identity and set of attractions, which in turn draw a very diverse group of travellers. Given that each of these locations exist just a short drive away from Colombo, they are the preferred destination of urban dwellers looking to unwind over the weekend.

People travelling down south can either drive there themselves or choose a company dealing in car hire. Colombo is dotted with several of these establishments however Kings Rent A Car Colombo has proven itself to be a leader in the industry and offers a wealth of service options which guarantee convenience.

The close proximity of southern towns to the coast means that they offer travellers the chance to indulge in a variety of water sports or simply partake in some light reverie while gazing toward the sun-dappled ocean. Hikkaduwa and Unawatuna in particular have garnered a reputation for being surfing hubs and beach havens. They often attract surfers from far-flung destinations across the globe.

This has had the effect of creating a relaxed, bohemian, surfer sub-culture which, in its own way, offers a break from the hectic work regime weekend visitors from big cities have to regularly endure.

Mirissa offers its guests the added benefit of whale watching tours along with visits to the nearby Sri Sunandarama Temple. However, in terms of cultural and historical value, the city of Galle exists in a league of its own.

Apart from being the site of literature, music and fashion festivals, the vestiges of the country’s colonial past hand heavy around each cobbled walkway and exquisitely-designed house. The monolith which epitomises this past is the Galle Fort.

The fort was first erected by the Portuguese before the Dutch later fortified it during their rule. Daily, a long procession of visitors ambles across its powerful ramparts, all the while absorbing the gripping tableau which surrounds them.

Exploring the Cultural Triangle of Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka's cultural triangle holds a wealth of archaeological heritage sites which are over 2500 years old. Situated in the centre of the island, the sacred cities of Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Sigiriya, Dambulla and Kandy are frequently visited by many local pilgrims, both laymen and the clergy (mostly Buddhist) and tourists from all around the world. Being accorded as an UNESCO World Heritage Cultural status, it is treated with deep respect and high value since it has such a deep history dating back to thousands of years.

Sri Lanka is a strongly fervent Buddhist country where a living ancient Buddhist culture can be discovered; what is fascinating is that these age-old and revered temples are still places of devout religious worship and not just monuments. The cultural triangle of Sri Lanka is a treasure-house of the island’s finest ancient monuments, which encapsulate one of the world’s most extraordinary collections of Buddhist art and architecture. Within the cultural triangle in the interior of Sri Lanka are the sacred monuments of Anuradhapura, the renowned Sigiriya rock fortress, the rock temple caves at Dambulla, the ancient capital of Polonnaruwa, the medieval monastery at Ritigala, the birthplace of Buddhism in Sri Lanka at Mihintale and other world heritage archaeological sites.

The cultural capital of Sri Lanka – Kandy famously known as the location of the ‘Temple of the Tooth Relic’ was the last kingdom to repel the British invaders. The plains north of Kandy were once the heartlands of an ancient Sri Lankan civilisation and the vestiges of the great cities which once thrived here are astonishing. Today, most of these monoliths stand silent emanating the glory of days gone by.

The age-old wonders of the cultural triangle in the heart of Sri Lanka lie only 179 km and a simple 4 hour drive from the west coast and Colombo International Airport. The best times to visit these awe-inspiring monuments is either early morning or late evening, when the sun dawns or sets upon them highlighting these medieval wonders of Sri Lanka. Rent a Car services are available at nominal rates for all tourists who are curious to explore this wonderful cultural triangle in Sri Lanka. Kings Rent a Car Colombo is renowned for their excellent services which include self-drive vehicle rentals as well as chauffeur-driven vehicle rentals and attractive rates to show tourists the most extraordinary sights of this region while promising a memorable experience.

City Tours in Sri Lanka

Colombo, Sri Lanka’s capital city on the Western coast with a rich colonial heritage is an assortment of races, religions and cultures. The city of Colombo is an unforgettable once-in-a-lifetime experience with lovely homes, lush gardens, fine dining options and shopping malls. Despite its small size of just 37.31 square kilometres, Colombo offers a varying selection of experiences ranging from taking a ride in a three-wheeler, a visit to Pettah market and eating kottu to playing a round of golf and having high tea at one of the colonial style hotels overlooking the Indian Ocean. With many boutiques filled with international brands and local art and fabrics, Colombo is the best place to go shopping; sleek department stores and cool shopping malls are filled with designer clothing, shoes and handbags, plus handicrafts, home furnishings and more.

Colombo offers many other varied places of interest such as the Royal Colombo Golf Club; surrounded by residential areas and business establishments, it is a sanctuary situated in the heart of the city. It is an exquisite and tranquil environment to relax, unwind and tee off. One could visit the Gangarama Vihara, one of the most venerable temples in the country, decorated with wonderful brass work, stone carvings, and other Buddhist art. A visit to the Colombo national museum is almost a necessity as it is Sri Lanka’s most prestigious, oldest and largest museum, housing a vast collection of antiques and many other artefacts from around the country. Or dine on Mount Lavinia beach, which is one of Colombo’s more laidback suburbs, filled with great seafood restaurants on the golden beach and is named after Lovina, the gypsy dancing girl who had a secret romance with one of Sri Lanka’s governors. Visit the Dehiwala Zoological Garden with its beautifully landscaped 30 acres in which a rich collection of mammals, birds, reptiles and fishes live in harmony with Nature.

On a more exciting note, one could also experience the nightlife that is up for grabs in Sri Lanka. Rent a Car services around Colombo allow tourists to explore its buzzing nightlife. Kings Rent a Car Colombo offers their clients competitive rates which can lend a hand in adding flavour and excitement to the touristic experience that the city of Colombo has to offer.