We all know how Sri Lanka has shot up
the top of the list of ‘hot’ holiday destinations. Most probably, that’s why
most of us are now booking flights, packing our bags, and searching for a car rental in Sri Lanka and so am I. It
heaved me a sigh of relief to book KingsRent a Car for my travel expedition in Sri Lanka after so much of online research
for a car rental service that suits my needs the best way. You, however, can
choose any, based on your own needs and requirements.
Heading up high, the tropical island nation
has certainly come a long way recovering from a civil war that lasted for almost
three decades, and that’s exactly how my travel guide cum driver described the northern
part of Sri Lanka – people with resilient souls, welcoming change as an unchartered
territory.
An End to the
Sad Reality
The northern part of Sri Lanka can be
considered as the heartland of the minority Tamil and Hindu population in the
nation of majority Buddhist and Sinhalese population. Going back in the history,
being the minority population – the Tamils – demanded a discrimination-free and
an equal treatment for themselves or you can say for the quarter of the nation.
Every action has a reaction and consequentially, the rebellion led to a prolonged
civil war, which as I earlier told, lasted for nearly three decades. The civil
war came to a point where the extreme rebel guerrillas of the Liberation Tigers
of the Tamil Eelam (LTTE) got defeated by the military of Sri Lanka. Only the bravest
ventured out of the dark. Sad it is, however, that it resulted in a massacre of
tens of thousands.
Turns out, in this case, it was all
about the happy ending when a new pro-reconciliation government in Colombo and minority
Tamil-based parties in provinces came in power. Sri Lanka as a nation and Tamil-majority
areas are in process of normalcy and that’s good news for all the wanderers who
are craving to explore Sri Lanka’s northern soul.
Beyond Past
and a Forgotten Civil War – Idyllic Beaches and Tiny Isles, Urging You to Visit
My travel guide cum driver, Sid, told
me how a lot has changed since those dark days. Since the northern part has
been reborn, many people are turning to tourism. From the hotels springing up
and military bases that have been revamped into wildlife parks and nature
resorts, the place has now declared peace and people got a new lease of life. Not
to forget that the former battlefields are now transformed to family-friendly seaside
getaways. Having that said, you’ll experience Jaffna like any other city on the
subcontinent.
Tourist Attractions
Jaffna
I found Jaffna a very vibrant and
lively place. You can’t forget a pleasant morning waking up to melodious bells of
the Nallur temple ringing across the rooftops, can you? I never will, for a
matter of fact, forget that soulful melody. The city is quite loud and proud. Nothing
can describe the place better than these two words – chaotic and exotic. The driver
by the car rental services I hired
in Sri Lanka, went an extra mile telling
me how he finds the beating of the drums and honking of horns an addition to the
cacophony. Witnessing the holy men in billowing white robes and ladies in
bright saris while weaving through the traffic, listed below are the places
that turned out as tourist attractions to me:
- Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil Temple
- Jaffna Fort
- Jaffna Public Library
- Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil
- St. Mary’s Cathedral
- Former Kachcheri
- Jaffna Archaeological Museum
- Jummah Mosque
- Our Lady of Refuge Church
- Sri Nagavihara International Buddhist Centre
Things to do
in Jaffna.
I inquired with my driver from Kings Rent a Car, the car rental services I opted for my
visit in Sri Lanka, what else should
I be doing here, so that I do not regret not being able to admire the place enough?
He was quite acquainted with the place, which is one of the reasons I chose
these services in the first place. So, he took me on a ride to:
See the sights at Jaffna’s charming market.
See the sights at Jaffna’s charming market.
· Enjoy the sight of fishing boats, calm seas and quiet
beaches while riding along the coastal roads in the Jaffna peninsula.
In case you go in March of odd-numbered years, attending biennial Jaffna Musical Festival is a mist-go event. You’ll witness folk music and dance forms that have been kept safe and sustained by families in the North and East over generations.
In case you go in March of odd-numbered years, attending biennial Jaffna Musical Festival is a mist-go event. You’ll witness folk music and dance forms that have been kept safe and sustained by families in the North and East over generations.
The next day, as soon as I got up, we
left for Trincomalee. One of the world’s finest natural anchorages, Trincomalee
is a historic city. Sid told me how he has visited the town plenty of times and
praised its charm, and also how he is surprised that people do not recognize it
and just pass through it on their way to the nearby beaches of Uppuveli and Nilaveli.
Things to do
at Trincomalee
· Whale watching
· Dolphin watching
· Visit The large Lord Shiva statue at Konneshwaram temple.
Additional places to visit can be – natural harbour, Commonwealth war cemetery, local Dutch lounges, Trinco market area
Additional places to visit can be – natural harbour, Commonwealth war cemetery, local Dutch lounges, Trinco market area
Oh! I fell in love with this tear-
shaped country. The colourful beauty and the welcoming people made me feel privileged.
Why do you love Sri Lanka’s northern
soul? Have you been there? If not, when are you planning your trip? Let us know
in the comment section below.