A to Z of Things To Do

Ayurveda, the science of life and health, is the ancient Hindu (Indian) system of medicine - a naturalistic and holistic system depending on diagnosis of the body's 'humours' (wind, mucus, gall and, sometimes, blood) to achieve a balance. Treatment is carried out by using herbs, minerals, formic acid and water, and special note is made of the action of food and drugs on the human body.

With the renewed interest in alternative forms of therapy in the West, Sri Lanka has seen a regeneration of special Ayurvedic herbal cure centres, which are increasingly attracting foreign visitors. In addition, Ayurvedic massage, using aromatic and medicinal oils to tone up the nervous system, has been practised in Sri Lanka for centuries and is available in many centres across the island.

Bird-watching

Sri Lanka is an ornithologist's paradise with 426 official avian species described. There are 233 resident species, of which 26 species are recognised as endemics unique to the island and these are mostly found in the Wet Zone, including the whistling thrush, yellow-eared bulbul, red-faced malkoha and brown-capped babbler. The winter migrants come from distant Siberia and Western Europe, the reservoirs attracting vast numbers of water birds including stilts, sandpipers, terns and plover, as well as herons, egrets and storks. The forests attract species of warblers, thrushes, cuckoo and many others. The endemic jungle fowl is Sri Lanka's national bird, and it is common to see large ornaments topped by a brass jungle fowl that has an honoured place in the home on special occasions.

The principal bird sanctuaries, which all have lagoons, are the Kumana sanctuary in the southeast, Bundala NP (famed for its flamingos), and the Kalametiya and Wirawila sanctuaries between Tissamaharama and Hambantota in the south.

Specialist bird-watching tours can be arranged through Tikalanka Tours, who use expert wildlife guides for the purpose.

Cinema

Hollywood blockbusters are screened in English in Colombo, though they are likely to be has-beens by the time they hit Sri Lanka's shores. Art-house films (in English and European languages) are shown at cultural centres such as the British Council and Alliance Française in Colombo and Kandy. Ubiquitous billboards confront you with Sri Lankan-made and Indian-made films that show in cinemas everywhere, including adults-only flicks such as "Naughty Love"!

Discos & Nightclubs

Possibly because of the long years of war, late-night partying and clubbing is rare in Sri Lanka. Outside Colombo you will find a few clubs in resort areas such as Negombo, Bentota and Hikkaduwa. Kandy has a couple of pubs, a nightclub and a casino called the Lake Club. Most of the action is found at top-end hotels. Colombo's nightlife is starting to stir, and some interesting new venues have opened.

Diving & Snorkelling

In 1998 the 'global bleaching event' - where coral was affected by higher-than-average ocean temperatures and regional influences - struck about one-half of the island's coral reefs, but the affected reefs have started showing signs of recovery. Coral and interesting shipwrecks can be seen at several spots along the southwest and south coasts such as Tangalle. Pigeon Island off Nilaveli beach is a fine place to go snorkelling, so are Unawatuna and Mirissa.

Along the southwest coast, the best time to dive and snorkel is generally from November to April. The seas are calmest from April to September along the east coast.

Golf

There are now four excellent golf courses in Sri Lanka. Green fees and other expenses including club hire and caddy (without tip) comes to about LKR4500 a day. The most scenic course is definitely the Victoria Golf Club near Kandy, overlooking the Victoria Reservoir. There is also an excellent historic course (founded in 1889) at Nuwara Eliya. In Colombo, the Royal Colombo Golf Club has a decent course, which is a wonderful, peaceful haven away from the hussle and bustle of the city. Another, newly-opened course is now available on the outskirts of the metropolis as well.

Golfing holidays can be tailor-made by Tikalanka Tours to enable keen golfers to play on Sri Lanka's attractive courses while also enjoying a tour of the island.

Hiking

Hiking is gaining popularity in Sri Lanka. There is not an organised hiking industry as there is in India, and it is usually a matter of striking out on your own. However, organised treks can be arranged in a few locations such as Adam's Peak, Ella, Horton Plains NP, Nuwara Eliya, Sinharaja NP and Yala West NP by Tikalanka Tours.

Mountain Biking

Mountain biking is only just catching on in Sri Lanka so routes and facilities are limited at present.

Pubs & Bars

Sri Lankans who drink alcohol tend to do it at home or in seedy venues. The few pubs and bars that do exist tend to be congregated around tourist haunts. Many are attached to top-end hotels, with top-end prices, and often have a cheesy 'British' or 'German' theme and imported beers. In most places outside of the tourist centres you will find yourself drinking at a restaurant. Some of the colonial mansions-cum-hotels have lovely verandas, perfect for a sunset tipple.

Shopping

What to buy
Handloom cotton and silk, hand-painted batik hangings and clothing, silverware, wood carvings, coir, and palm leaf articles, leather goods, jewellery and gem stones are all good buys in Sri Lanka. Vibrant and colourful local bazaars are often a great experience but you must be prepared to bargain. Sri Lankan tea, spices and cashew nuts are worth taking home and also make ideal gifts. Some tea and spice gardens welcome visitors and have retail outlets for their produce.

Bargaining
In some private shops and markets bargaining is normal and expected but avoid bargaining at government 'fixed price' shops. It is best to get an idea of the prices being asked by different stalls for items you are interested in before taking the plunge. Some shopkeepers will happily quote twice the actual price to a foreigner showing interest so you might well start by halving the asking price. On the other hand it would be inappropriate to do the same in an established shop with price tags, though a plea for the "best price" or a "special discount" might reap results if you are lucky. Remain good humoured throughout and the bargains may come your way!

Remember that a fair price is not always the cheapest price you believe you should pay having done some background research. Getting a local price for any product or service is incredibly difficult considering the widely held view that all foreign visitors are very wealthy and - in comparison to most Sri Lankans - we are much more affluent. In general, a few rupees here or there is of little consequence to a foreign visitor but it may well be of considerable value to a market stallholder or street vendor and their families. We therefore promote the idea of a 'fair price' for goods and services, although this is a relative value and must be up to individual choice.

Spectator Sports

Although Sri Lankans play volleyball, netball, soccer, tennis and a few other sports, the most popular game by a long way is cricket. Radio commentaries of big games are broadcast down streets, boys play the game at the roadside, in forest clearings or on the beach, and everything stops when Sri Lanka's national team plays. Workers take leave from their workplaces for the day or afternoon, transistor radios reveal the score in the corner of the office, crowds gather in the street around television screens, radios blare on buses with coverage in Sinhala, Tamil and English. Almost everyone follows the game, men and women, and if Sri Lanka wins, fire crackers sound around the country. Test Matches are played at Colombo, Kandy and Galle, and One-Day Internationals at Dambulla as well.

Theatre, Classical Music & Galleries

Theatre of European heritage (e.g. Shakespeare) is performed at cultural centres such as the British Council and Alliance Française in Colombo and Kandy, and at the Goethe Institute in Colombo.

Colombo is where most things happen. Theatre written and directed by Sri Lankans is often performed at the Lionel Wendt Gallery & Theatre and the Elphinstone Theatre. The Lumbini Theatre shows Sinhala theatre. These theatres and the cultural centres are the main venues for classical music (Western and Eastern), though top-end hotels have occasional performances. Art exhibitions are often held at the Lionel Wendt Gallery and at the National Art Gallery.

Traditional Music & Dance

Traditional music and dance is an important, though fading, part of Sri Lankan culture. The dances for tourists are usually sanitised snapshots of various types blended into one performance, but they are still worth seeing. Top-end hotels in major resorts are the usual venues. The School of Dance in Ambalangoda has irregular performances that are worth catching, and dancing and drumming shows are performed nightly at several venues in Kandy.

Watersports

Top-end hotels in the main west and southwest coast beach resorts are the only places that rent windsurfers. Bentota is the best spot for windsurfing, and several outfits there hire out equipment and provide lessons.

White-water rafting can be done at a few places, notably on the Kelani River near Kitulgala in the Hill Country (where Bridge on the River Kwai was filmed).

Boat or catamaran trips for sightseeing, bird-watching or fishing are becoming very popular. Excursions can be organised at Bentota and Weligama through Tikalanka Tours.