(photo of Sigiriya courtesy of motumboe)

When Sri Lanka comes to mind, many people first think of the 2004 Tsunami, which devastated much of the island nation just south of India. 

Now more than five years later, Sri Lanka has re-built and rebounded, and tourists have returned! 

Your visit there will most likely begin in Columbo, the capi.jpgtal city and home of the international airport. A possible itinerary would be to explore Columbo for a couple days, before heading inland to central Sri Lanka, the cultural centre of the country. 

Visit the Sigiriya ancient rock fortress (photo) and Dambulla cave temple in central Sri Lanka, two of the seven World Heritage sights in the country. Then head south, and stop by the Sinharaja Forest Reserve, a biodiversity attraction and protected area in the country, and home to various exotic plants and animals.  

Continue on southward and explore the coastal city of Galle, a place which was badly damaged during the 2004 Tsunami, but where today life has resumed to normal.   This itinerary should keep you busy for a week or two.

Be sure to enjoy Kottu Roti, the local favorite dish to eat. (You will notice the locals eat with their right hand)  Another traveller tip would be to study the local customs before you visit. 

Sri Lanka is back on the traveller's map for 2010.