The dry northern plains of Sri Lanka is blessed with ideal climate
for growing may varieties of crops. The hot day-time temperatures
and dry air make it specially suitable for vegetables like chilli
(hot pepper) and onions. Looks like the owner of this small farm
certainly had his share of good luck with his crop, looking at
this red carpet of chilli peppers drying in the hot sun.
The small home in the background is made totally from locally
available building materials. The adobe walls, and the roof made
of woven coconut fronds bear witness to the ingenuity of the
simple village folk.

Blessed a with salubrious climate, breathtaking views of valleys,
meadows, mountains and greenery; it's hard to imagine that Nuwara
Eliya is only 180 Km from the hot and humid Colombo.Nuwara Eliya
(City of Lights), also known as 'Little' England', was the favourit
e hill station of the British who tried to create Nuwara Eliya into
a typical English Village. The old brick Post office, country hous
e like hill club, with it's hunting pictures, mounted hunting troph
ies and fish, and it's strict formal dinner attire; the 18 hole golf
course, race course etc., all remind you of 'England'.

Sri Lanka's ancient architectural tradition is well portrayed
at Sigiriya, the best preserved city centre in Asia from the
first millennium, with its combination of buildings and gardens
with their trees, pathways, water gardens, the fusion of
symmetrical and asymmetrical elements, use of varying levels
and of axial and radial planning. Sophisticated city planning
was at the heart of Sigiriya, this royal citadel of ancient fame
from the days of Sri Lanka's memorable past.


Kandy is also the venue of the Esala Perahera, easily the
most colourful pageant of Asia, held in July/August each year,
in honour of the tooth Relic. As the pagentry of the Esala
Perahera unfolds through ten nights each year, the city takes
on the air of a torch-lit dreamland, complete with a hundred
or more colourfully caparisoned elephants, drummers, dancers,
and chieftains in the rare colourful trappings of the old
kingdom.