Plan “B” for unexpected car trouble

Just before the school holidays started, we were all wondering what we could do instead of lazing at home like we usually do. In the midst of many other suggestions that came in from all members of the family, my dad suggested that we should plan a trip to Nuwara Eliya. Most of us were fed up with the scorching heat in Colombo, and the relaxing atmosphere and fresh air in Nuwara Eliya sounded like the ideal plan. After planning with their annual leave and the availability of the hotels, my parents decided that we leave Colombo on the 23^rd December and return on the 28^th December.

After a couple of weeks, on the 21^st of December when my father wanted to go to the supermarket, he found out that there was something seriously wrong with the engine and car wouldn’t start it seemed. This was the worst thing that could happen out of all the complications possible! We realized that we are going on a bit of a bumpy trek with the unexpected complication which came our way. We had already finalized our trip plans and hence could not drop off last minute from the plan. Our only option was to rent a vehicle from a place where they offer quality cars for rent in Sri Lanka such as Kings Rent a Car Colombo and drive to our destination. With no hesitation, we Googled it up (www.kingsrentacar.com)  and with the easy-to-use vehicle on their site, we found ourselves the ideal vehicle for our family getaway! In a fraction of time my father called the vehicle renting company and in half and hours’ time, we were driving off to Nuwara Eliya in comfortable vehicle.

After reaching Nuwara Eliya, we checked in to a hotel where we were welcomed warmly. After a peaceful few days in Nuwara Eliya, we arrived in Colombo just as we planned on the 28^th.

Coastal beauty of Sri Lanka

The city of Galle in Sri Lanka plays a major role in Sri Lankan Tourism. The Dutch fort in Galle is arguably most interested among both Local and Foreign travelers. It was declared as a UNESCO world heritage site in Sri Lanka. This glorious fort was initially built by Portuguese in 1588. Remarkably it had been marked in the Ptoloamy’s world map illustrated around 125-150 A.D. At that time this fort situated in Galle bay, was a quite busy port. The fort was retained by Dutch in 17th century. It was visited by Chinese, Greeks, Arabs and Indians for business and commercial trading purposes. Dutch fort of Galle is also called as ‘Ramparts of Galle’. The name Galle is generated from the Dutch word ‘Gallus’ by means of chicken. Other belief is that there was a big stable made for cattle referred as “Gaala”.

The fort is profess to European architectural grandeur around 19th century. The Portuguese invader ‘Lorenzo de Almeida’ was able to build up a tight friendship with the Sri Lankan King. However with the arrival of British, the fort was enslaved again.

Today travelling to Galle is a 45 minute drive from the capital, what we suggest to you, in order to get the best views of coastal Sri Lanka; rent a car from the many well reputed car renting companies such as Kings Rent a Car Colombo and drive away as you wish!

Passing Galle you find Hikkaduwa, one of the largest & most influential tourism sites of Sri Lanka has gained a tremendous stride with the rise of the tourism sector. Hikkaduwa is more famous for its Coral sanctuary. This natural, multi colored coral reef has been well conserved; many species of fish and sea turtles attract many people from all over the world. After a short distance southwards from this impressive coral reef is palled. The beach provides best sea waves for surfing during its dry season. In addition travelers interested in surfing and diving prefers Hikkaduwa most. More interested tourists can take a PADI course to explore Hikkaduwa’s Coral reef sanctuary. The area is divided into 4 main breaks. From north to south is Locals break, Main peak, Hansa surf break and beach break. Crystal clear water, white sand beach attract many surfers from UK, Japan and USA. Pubs, restaurants, shops and night clubs can be easily found in Hikkaduwa area. Though you can enjoy and dance at Dance floors nearby the Beach. Accommodations can be reserved from guest houses and hotels. Obviously there is no other tourism place similarly to Hikkaduwa. While walking on the long stretched sandy shore, you can taste various sea foods. It’s a great opportunity for sun worshippers and sea worshippers.

The Tropical Paradise of the Indian Ocean

With a gentle smile which begins with the eyes and stretches to the lips, Sri Lanka invites you to explore a whole new world of wonder, heritage and culture. Since ancient times, many sailors and merchants have been enchanted by the glamorous shades and customs of this small island which, according to the great writer, Mark Twain; “all harmonious, all in perfect taste”.

Rich with verdant mountains and the tropical beaches around the island, the geographical diversity that Sri Lanka offer is simply soul-enlightening. Coupled with delightful dynamics, you are welcome to explore Sri Lanka as the country unveils its glamour with the diverse terrains, wild life parks and many other tropical escapes. Sri Lanka homes 92 endemic species of mammals and a countless number of plants.

The Sri Lankan government takes every step relevant to sustain the richness of its bio-diversity. For example, the Pinnawala elephant orphanage is a dedicated refuge for infant, abandoned and disabled elephants where they can spend the rest of their lives under the care and love of humans. And also, the Sri Lankan government has dedicated wildlife parks in Kumana, Bundala, Weeawila, Yala, Wasgamuwa and so much more.

Speaking of the ethnic mix, Sri Lanka holds a vivid assortment of culture and art thanks to its multiethnic population. The specialty about Sri Lanka is such that every month you find a celebration from either of the ethnicities and the influence made on the island’s architectural design with the foreign invasions adds an extra bit of vibrancy to the country’s cultural diversity.

On the other hand, if your hear yearns for an amusing nightlife or a world-class shopping experience, Sri Lanka caters to all your requirements as it offers a range of exclusive pubs, night clubs, restaurants and shopping malls within the capital. And finding your way around Colombo is so much convenient with the new road plans and development projects.

With so much more to offer, Sri Lanka is a fascinating destination to visit and to cherish. But in terms of getting from one place to another, especially you are from a European country, would take a bit of getting used to. Therefor the most convenient way to travel at your own freedom is to rent a vehicle from Kings Rent a Car Colombo as the public transport is a bit too crowded in Sri Lanka. Rent a car and save yourself from the hassle of having to deal with crowded trains and buses. 

The crisis of public transportation in Sri Lanka.

Let’s accept it. Most of us grew up hearing the countless complains about public transport. And as for today, the situation has not made much of a difference. The hassle is still the same as if only the people and the time have evolved; Reoccurrence.

The common man often gets sandwiched in the rivalry between private and SLTB and ends us dealing with an unorganized schedule as a result of this. In instances where a SLTB bus is travelling on the road, private busses shift to their reckless-driving-mode taking SLTB as competition and lose the meaning of what they are meant to be doing – ensuring a safe and a fast way of travelling to all their passengers. As a result of this, the whole social chain becomes a mess. This rivalry of driving fast, is directly related to the increasing number of deaths caused by road accidents around the country. Today fatal accidents are a frequent headline in the news and people have lost the value of a human life over reckless driving. 

Towards the latter part of the 80’s decade with the importing of Trishaws from India, the Sri Lankan transport segment took on a whole new path while opening many entrepreneur opportunities to the unemployed youth in the country. A couple of years down the line, driving a trishaw became the fast-track to earning a decent living for the unemployed and with the drastic mannerisms of the public transport systems, trishaws were able to mark their golden era from the late 80’s to the late 90’s. People loved the small compact vehicle and most of all, it was affordable for the common man.  

In the present, just as all good things, the respectable trishaw service era too had to end. With the fluctuating fuel prices and all subordinate factors, Trishaw drivers became more money oriented and manner-less. As a solid solution for this issue on par with the rapid development in Sri Lanka, rent a car service providers like Kings Rent a Car Colombo emerged to deliver a more reliable and a customer-friendly service whereas the public transport remained the same up to date.

But in the long run, “rent-a-car services” would only be a temporary remedy to a persistent crisis. What we need is an organized system where public and private transport sectors act more responsibly, or the public transport should be strengthened to deliver a service which can overcome the monopoly domination of the private transport providers.

Things to do during the August holidays

In Sri Lanka, the month of August is a busy month for every parent since all the schools close for the 3rd semester break. And with the traveler-friendly environment in the country most parents tend to take their children on trip and spend-the-day outings during this time to make their kids’ holiday a special one. This is more of an urban habit nowadays and Sri Lanka being a small island, provides ample weekend getaways which stands close within ones’ vicinity.

The coastal line along Colombo is a major attraction to the kids whereas the Colombo museum, the Colombo race course are also available as options. For those who would appreciate a bit of a travel, Kandy and Galle are simply the best choice. In terms of traveling to the above said destinations, many take the train while the others prefer taking their own vehicle. And those who do not own their own vehicle in Sri Lanka, rent a car service providers like Kings Rent a Car Colombo make life simpler by providing cars at an affordable price.

The temple of the tooth relic, the elephant orphanage in pinnawala are the two main attractions in Kandy along with many other attractions such as the wooden shrine in Ambakke etc.

Kandy is situated 115 km away from Colombo and is the second largest city and is the capital of the central province of Sri Lanka. The Kandy city is scenic with a wide loop of the Mahaweli River flowing through it and being surrounded by verdant hills fruitful with tropical vegetation. Kandy is home to the Sri Dhalada Maligawa, which is renowned around the globe as the temple of the tooth relic. The temple of tooth relic is a popular destination during the months of July and August with the beginning of the Esala Perehera.

On the other hand, Galle also provides an outstanding number of places to visit and spend time, starting with the famous Gall fort, calm and beautiful beaches, colonial architecture, museums to modern art galleries Galle sure has a lot of educational value. Beyond Galle, the coastal belt stretches up to Unawatuna and Thalpe with a series of heart-stealing beaches. And the other most prominent features about Galle are the natural harbor, the national maritime museum and the temple of Shiva.

With so much resourceful holiday destinations around the capital, this trend of going out of town for a holiday is simply good tendency.

How can we control the growing number of road accidents

In a time where road accidents are increasing at a rapid phase, people have started looking out for alternative means of transportation. Today, 2 out of 10 people own their personal vehicle. This so called financial development taking place within the country is directly related to the increasing of road accidents simply because we have more vehicle on the roads compared the number of vehicles we had on the road 10 years back.

Another reason for this critical issue is the lack of proper education. A perception has been built among the society that, “if you are unable to learn, becoming a driver is the only option”, so with such a mindset in every other local in the country; the number of accidents continue to grow.

People have become very much dependent of their vehicles today that when their car undergoes a repair or a maintenance, their whole day to day life collapses along with that. Coming to work might take more time than the usual, everyday travelling needs would seem like a hassle. All because the every-day vehicle is not there. The only solutions for such cases in Sri Sri Lanka, rent a car service providers like Kings Rent a Car Colombo is a savior. Renting a vehicle of your preference and attending to your daily needs is just a call away thanks to service providers like this.

According to a recent study, 40 percent of taxi drivers doesn’t have the driver’s license, which is the basic requirement to become a taxi wheel driver other than owning a vehicle. In this context, as responsible citizens we are left with the question, “what actions have the police taken to eradicate such practices?” And on the flipside, majority of the police officers are biased and blind to such breaches in road traffic rules committed by the majority of drivers.

At present, there is no effective restraining for Sri Lankan drivers who commit offenses in driving unlike in developed countries where drivers get restricted for a certain period of time from driving depending on the offense that they have committed. And furthermore if one exceeds the number of penalty points shall get permanently disqualified from driving. As a developing nation, we highly have the need for such a scheme to be implemented in Sri Lanka if we are to see a notable change in the number of accidents we see every day. 

Welcome to the dry zone

With heavy rains and thunder storms hailing across the city of Colombo, people have picked up a hobby of travelling in to the dry zone of Sri Lanka. The “dry-zone” of Sri Lanka holds an exceptional beauty with its brilliant assortment gigantic lakes, thorny forests with endemic flora and fauna. Despite the scorching sun and the dust of the dry zone, there is a lot you can experience as you venture in to it. For example, “Thissamaharama” and “Katharagama” basically referred as “Ruhuna” is renowned for its premium curd and all curd related products.

As you move inwards the dry zone, you find an astonishing collection of historical monuments scattered across Anuradhapura, Ampara and Polonnaruwa etc. The land of lakes – Polonnaruwa, is famous for its many ocean-like gigantic reservoirs which were built during the ancient times of kings. And as you move towards Anuradhapura, you can discover a large assortment of ancient ruins and relics of gigantic structures which could have been palaces or fortress back in the ancient times. The lifestyle of the people living in these areas are simply amazing. Their routine is bound with the irrigation based cultivations in the area such farming in paddy fields and Chena cultivations. The dry zone, however is fertile despite the minimal occasional rains it get whereas the dry zone itself caters to a considerable share of the nation’s vegetation and rice demands. 

Just like all other regions in Sri Lanka, the dry zone too has its seasons for tourists, which kicks off from July and goes on till the late September each year. Most people travel to Katharagama, Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa for religious ceremonies. And Katharagama holds a high reputation for its horoscope checking rituals, exorcisms, chanting ceremonies for good luck etc., which unfortunately people in the 21^st century still believes in. With all of the above in store, the dry zone offers so much to see! Which means it is a very smart move to drive your own vehicle since the whole dry zone trip will involve a lot of gallivanting here and there.

For those who do not own a vehicle or for those who are looking for a more spacious and powerful vehicle to suit the dry zone, Kings Rent A Car Colombo gives you the best rent a car collection you can find in Sri Lanka. Rent a car of your choice and drive away with ease and get away from the damp gloomy weather of Colombo.

Sri Lanka, on a rapid path to development.

Thanks to the astonishing development that Sri Lanka has achieved over the past few years and the investor-friendly policies of the Sri Lankan government, Sri Lanka is now famous as a key investment hub and an immerging market in the Southeast Asian region.

After the elimination of terrorist activities in the Northeast province, the island opened its gates to the world for more investments to fly in, which is essential for the country’s development. Being given the opportunity to host the commonwealth conference in Sri Lanka in the year 2013, propelled the country to greater heights, simply because; Sri Lanka was presented with this opportunity while many powerful nations competed to get the hosting authority.

With a multitude of foreign investment ventures and development projects being carried across the country, the number of foreign delegates coming down to the country each year has increased at a considerable rate. As a side effect to this, the tourism industry has also improved to cater to the needs of the international market. Another business that has emerged along the years is the rent a car service segment. This ground-breaking sector was initiated to provide a solid solution in terms of transportation the non-vehicle owners and the many foreign delegates and tourists who visit Sri Lanka. Today, in Sri Lanka, rent a car services have become a dominant icon. Among the many service providers, Kings Rent a Car Colombo is the leading player in the business. With the visit of each delegate, a massive foreign capital is driven to country.

Apart from this, Sri Lanka has now built an iconic image as a preferred tourist destination which facilitates multi-national corporate events, international exhibitions for the Southeast Asian region and more or less exotic honeymoon escapes. The reason for this is the supreme services and the competitive packages offered by the many hotels and convention halls in Sri Lanka. Plus the inter-connecting highways which allows one to travel within provinces in a matter of seconds has added up in many foreigners to choose Sri Lanka due to the convenience in travelling. In almost every vital city in Sri Lanka, you find five star hotels opening up to cater to the local and international customer demands, which is clearly a sign of development taking place within the country. Tracing back the years from 2008 to present, Sri Lanka has achieved a phenomenal improvement in all aspects of development and it is a pleasure to witness the country moving forward in elegance. 

Sri Lanka; the land of rapid development

With the rapid development of the island which is more strengthened with the switching of the government from one party to another, the country is now on a freeway to economic prosperity. This Development however has boon and bane to it, just like every other thing. For instance, the tourism industry the country has moved forward immensely from where it was a decade back and on the other hand, the number of drugs and illegal goods being smuggled in to the shores of Sri Lanka has gone up drastically.

The island is now creating ripple effects across the south Asian economy with the expansion of foreign exports which directly declares competition to the neighboring countries.  Looking at the plus points, the level of literacy in Sri Lanka is outstanding. The road systems are up to the international standards and are clean. The living condition within the island is very much peaceful and at last but not least; the tourism industry. The number of foreigners visiting Sri Lanka each year has gone up due to the above stated reasons. Relating to this, a vast number of job opportunities have sprouted in the travel and tourism trade as well as the hospitality segment proving solid solutions to the country’s unemployed youth.

On the other hand like mentioned above, the number of illegal goods being smuggled in to the island, domestic violence, road accidents, complications in public transportation has increased. The key reason for the accidents and transportation complexities is mainly the staggering count of vehicles being imported to Sri Lanka. Today almost every house hold comprises of at least a motor bike and not to forget, the population of Sri Lanka is over 20 million, which rounds up the number of vehicles in the island between 5-10 million. Most people tend to go for a second vehicle without selling the old vehicle after they drive the same vehicle for a few years.

Speaking of the non-owned vehicles in Sri Lanka, rent a car services such as Kings Rent a Car Colombo act as a cement solution for this issue by providing high-quality vehicles at a reasonable price, so that many people who are in the financial capability to afford a rented car would refrain from buying a second vehicle which will reduce the clutter of the rising number of vehicles. 

With all of the above mentioned complexities Sri Lanka moves forward in her usual glamour. As for the citizens of Sri Lanka, the future is not too distant where Sri Lanka stands as the most developed country in South Asia. 

The undiscovered waterfall of Puwakpitiya

How often do we crave for a peaceful holiday and give up the idea just because we can’t afford to travel too far from Colombo due to personal and professional commitments. They say if you search for something with all you’ve got, you are bound to find it eventually, against the odds! This statement can’t be more precise in speaking about Kumari Ella found in Puwakpitiya, Awissawella.

Being one of the very few enchanting waterfalls located in the Colombo Disctrict limits, Kumari Ella is a very popular travel destination due to its easy accessibility. Although it is quite undersized, compared to other famous waterfalls found in the country this waterfall is nothing less in loveliness and greatness. According to history this waterfall has also been known as Lelwala Ella.

Speaking of the origin of the name Kumari Ella, “Kumari” has derived from the Sinhalese word “Kumarikawa” which gives the meaning “Princess” and according to legends the daughter of King Rajasinghe the second had drowned near the area where the rock pool is today. Since then the falls was called as “Kumari Ella” in memory of the drowned princess. Even today according to folklore, is believed that during a certain time of the year the pool drags in a sacrifice from those who are reckless in their water activities.

However it is just a mythical belief of the villagers residing The Kumari Ella is born as a child of the two streams from Pittukande Mountain and Dukkalahelena Mountain as they meet with two other streams, flowing down from Hewahinda and from Illukovil to the Aman River in Puwakpitiya. This then flows onto the Kelani River at Ambangama. To reach the falls, take the Colombo high-level road and turn along Puwakpitiya road. The fall is 2km down this road.

Looking at the geographical facts about Kumari Ella, the fall is 13ft in height nourished with the watercourse from Ambangoda Oya (Kaleni River) and is located 90 m above m.s.l.  

Today, the natural pool of the waterfall, known as “Kumari Wala” is a very popular bathing spot among the villagers as well as the travelers.

If you are joining your friends in this journey, an average car would not be the best option. And also the public transportation is also not the best option Sri Lanka, rent a car services such as Kings Rent a Car Colombo can provide the absolute solution for this by offering a luxurious vans at a reasonable expense. 

An Urban Adventure of a Lifetime

Are you tired of driving the same vehicle every single day? Does everything feel monotonous? What we are suggesting is the fastest and the easiest way to get rid of your work-stress. We are not suggesting expensive outbound tours or hazardous trips to unknown cities. Follow our guide on how to explore the world around you. If you are tired of your monotonous life, stuck in the stereo type routine of eat, work and sleep. Here is what you could do.

A few things you would need to kick-start exploring the city would be:

• ·         A car to get you around
• ·         A hungry stomach
• ·         A friend who also loves exploring different cuisines

Once all the above is in order, you are good to go. You can easily find a new vehicle, park your old darling chariot in your garage and let her stay home. It’s time for something new.

Where to find a ride? That’s where Kings Rent a Car Colombo comes in, despite the perception in Sri Lanka, rent a car services, companies such as Kings Rent a Car Colombo can ease away the issue of travelling for you at an affordable price. Once you’ve figured out your method of travel, make a route map for your little urban adventure.

Considering the options at hand; cities in close vicinity such as Negombo, Galle, Kandy and even Colombo itself can provide ample resolutions for sightseeing and we strongly suggest Galle, due to the southern express highway which has reduced the time of travel up to 40 minutes from Colombo. Once you enter the highway, your road trip is nothing but a smooth sail until you reach Galle.

Once you set foot in Galle, there are a variety of places for you to visit and roam around as you experience the urban living in Galle, which is very welcoming.  You may stroll down the inter-connected lanes inside the Galle Dutch fortress where you can pull out a chair in one of the street cafeterias and enjoy a scrumptious meal you would never forget. After all the exploring you can head down to one of the many decent pubs along the coastal line and grab a drink as you gaze in to the horizon. But make sure you stick to your limits; you have a drive all the way to Colombo.

Talking about the second option, which would be Colombo urban life, we would suggest you drive deeper in to Pettah; the noisy bazaar. The dusty old roads leading to Pettah are filled with many vendors, from toys, day to day gadgets to everything under the sun is found in Pettah. Walk about, discover, shop but watch out for pickpockets. After tiring yourself with all the wonder, you can pull over near the floating market in Pettah where you can indulge yourself in a plate of spicy koththu rotti, before you call it a day.  

Scenic Nuwara Eliya

The mist-filled hilltops of Sri Lanka hold an introduction to heaven. With cascades of water gushing down from the cold hilltops and verdant valleys stretching up to the horizon it really depicts a slice of heaven to anyone who visits. Out of the many cities in the hill country, “Nuwara Eliya” stands out for its significant natural, historical as well as architectural value.

Nuwara Eliya is located in the heart of the hill country 6182 feet above from the sea level. The town is situated at 74 km away along Kandy-Nuwara Eliya road and this was rediscovered by British in 1827. It is still very much like an old English town with styled Bungalows and buildings. The cool calm climate, gorges rolling tea plantation which makes the best “Ceylon tea” and the breathtaking beautiful waterfalls makes Nuwara Eliya one of the most beautiful town in the world. Nuwara Eliya can be treated as one of the most beautiful nature creations in the world and it is the most beautiful city in Sri Lanka. Even though British claim that Nuwara Eliya was found in 1827 by British hunting party it was known to Sri Lanka long before. It is said that the British governor Sir Edward Bans (1824-1831) was very much interested about the cool climate Nuwara Eliya had and build a bungalow called “Bans Hall”.

Speaking of the urban beauty of Nuwara Eliya, the Victoria Park grabs the headline, Victoria Park was established in 1897 as for the jubilee of Queen Victoria in completion of sixty years on here thorn. The park is within the city limits and it has become a must see location anyone who visit Nuwara Eliya. During the summer the park is filled with colorful roses and various flowers where you won’t be able to see them in any other city of Sri Lanka.

In order to get the best views of the hill country of Sri Lanka, Rent a car for yourself from the many well reputed car renting companies such as Kings Rent A Car Colombo and drive away as you wish! Modern times, Nuwara Eliya is a place where people come for enjoy the cool relaxing climate and for the summer festivals. Summer comes to Nuwara Eliya end of March. Once summer comes the city becomes a crowded place with thousands of local and foreign visitors. During this time Nuwara Eliya becomes a beautiful place with all sorts of festivals taking place. The festivals are organized by the municipal council of the town and the most highlighted events are the fox hill motor cross, motor bicycle races, boat races and horse races at the race course.