The magic and romance of Sri Lanka through pictures - The Land of a 1,000 smiles

Majestic and mysterious Mount Lavinia Hotel, Colombo:

Mount Lavinia Hotel, Colombo

The view from the hotel

The imposing colonial structure and the erstwhile residence of British Governor General, Thomas Maitland stands proud and high with a breathtaking view of the Indian Ocean. The hotel has long been a symbol of resilience and beauty having successfully survived calamities such as the World War and the Tsunami.

It still reminds one of a bygone era of high teas and ballroom dances when people had time to sit in the large open balcony facing the ocean and observe the beauty of nature.

The hotel is no stranger to history. But perhaps the most interesting piece of history is about the hotel and its owner itself.

Legend has it that Thomas Maitland, after arriving in Sri Lanka, fell in love with local dancing queen, Lovina. The ill-fated lovers whose love was not accepted by the rigid social conventions of the time, had to meet through a secret passageway that some believe still exists today. The governor was forced to leave Sri Lanka and Lovina too moved away but the hotel stands even today, a testimony to their unrequited love.

Breathtaking Bentota:

Seafood by the sea?

No flurry of tourists, no sea of human bodies littering the crowded beaches, no loud voices drowning the relentless lashing of the waves - Bentota is still relatively undisturbed and clean, offering picture perfect views of the endless ocean. 

Its pristine beaches call out to the people who might just want to sit and gaze at the silent fury of the ocean or enjoy a sumptuous meal with the waves at their feet.

The moonstone mines:

The moonstone mines on the way to Bentota are testimony to the country's long heritage in mining precious gems and stones. These gems sell for high prices in the colorful stores of the cities of Sri Lanka and are a must-buy for many tourists. But for the workers in these mines, the routine of life remains the same - mining, washing, cleaning and polishing the beautiful gems day after day.

Miners at work in a moonstone mine

World Heritage Center, Kandy:

Tooth Relic temple, Kandy

Tooth Relic Temple, Kandy

Kandy, the cultural capital of the country which held out against the British rule till the very end is today a symbol of the country's multi-cultural and and cosmopolitan influences. The famous Tooth Relic temple which supposedly houses Buddha's tooth resides next to the St. Paul's Church. On the eve of Christmas as we stood in front of the temple and the church and watched people walking into both with equal fervor, the melodious strains of the carol songs from the Church merged beautifully with the bells from the temple to create a magical symphony.

The elephants at Pinnewala Elephant orphanage:

Pinnewala elephant orphanage

Industry from poo paper

Home to about 200 elephants, children would really enjoy the Pinnewala elephant orphanage, located about 2 hours from Colombo. If you check the timings in advance, one can also feed the baby elephants and enjoy bathing them.

And hard to miss is the industry that has sprung up around the orphanage - an entire industry from the abundant elephant poo paper!

Life post the Tsunami:

Vast stretches that were destroyed by the Tsunami

Sri Lanka is known as the land of a 1,000 smiles. The country has been ravaged by extreme violence during the civil war and more than 30,000 reported deaths during the Tsunami. But people still hide their pain, anger and despair behind quiet and warm smiles that openly welcome the visitors.

As one leaves behind the vast open stretches of land bordering the ocean that were once destroyed by the Tsunami one cannot help but wonder at the magic of the beautiful country. A country that so effortlessly sways between the past and the present, the heritage of centuries mingling with modern ways of today. Sri Lanka is today far more accessible to tourists than before and tourism as an industry is all set to take off as more travelers discover the beautiful tear-drop shaped island. 

I would hope that the essence of Sri Lanka and its mysterious beauty does not fall prey to the commercialization attempts to please the tourists. And that Sri Lanka would remain today and forever, the land of the 1,000 smiles.