Tika Traveller

Discover Sri Lanka & Maldives From Those Who Know It Best

Blogs from Tikalanka are designed to enhance your knowledge of Sri Lanka and Maldives and keep you up to date with recent developments. We intend to post regular features on travel, news, lifestyle and accommodation as well as guest articles from current and past customers, which will give you first-hand experience of Tikalanka, Sri Lanka and Maldives.

Category: Culture

Maalu Maalu Resort & Spa, Passikudah, Sri Lanka

TikaWeeks #10/2024: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 5th March 2024

Imagine coconut palms swaying rhythmically in the fragrant breeze, the shallow, clear warm waters of the Indian Ocean lapping gently onto sun-kissed tropical beaches, and ice-cold sundowners and the freshest of seafood to savour – this is summer in Sri Lanka. Our Summertime in Sri Lanka Tika Taster itinerary is ideal for adventurous couples or families seeking an extra-special summer holiday in the resplendent land of Sri Lanka.

Lunuganga, Geoffrey Bawa's country estate near Bentota, Sri Lanka

TikaWeeks #07/2024: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 15th February 2024

As promised, our dedicated Tika Taster to Geoffrey Bawa is now live. The tour is mostly arranged around visits to or stays in his most iconic buildings as well as visits to the ancient sites of Dambulla, Polonnaruwa and Sigiriya to offer you an historical perspective to his work. The 14-day guided trip includes his own town house and country estate, major masterplan projects, hotels, and villas. Your accommodation includes four Bawa-designed hotels to ensure you have the full experience of his design genius.

Sir David Attenborough with gorillas in Rwanda (courtesy of the BBC)

TikaWeeks #42/2023: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 20th October 2023

Nature, carbon and humanity are inextricably entwined with 50% of man-made CO2 sequestered by nature – but the story doesn’t end there: 75% of food crops are dependent on insect pollination, 80% of registered medicines come from plants and 85% of the world's largest companies have a high dependency on nature across direct operations. Nature is at the heart of everything and considering the planet’s lifeblood while travelling is vital.

Emirates and SriLankan Airlines agree reciprocal interline partnership

TikaWeeks #41/2023: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 11th October 2023

Emirates and SriLankan Airlines have established a reciprocal interline partnership to boost connectivity for passengers of both airlines. The partnership will enable access to new points on each other’s networks via Colombo and Dubai, utilising a single ticket and enjoying the convenience of baggage transfers. This week’s update also highlights the issue of elephant-human conflict on the island, whether Yala has had its day, and Sri Lanka’s central and crucial role in the Indian Ocean since antiquity.

Lighthouse and mosque within the Dutch colonial era fort, Galle, Sri Lanka

TikaWeeks #39/2023: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 27th September 2023

Sri Lanka is definitely making a comeback. With confidence building, 2024 should be a very positive year. Where better to start than the revitalised Galle Literary Festival, which runs from 25 to 28 January 2024. This now fabled event last ran in 2020 and has been attracting authors and visitors from across the world since the inaugural festival in 2015, which takes place in the vicinity of Galle's historic 17th century Dutch colonial era fort.

A rare super blue moon lighting up last night's sky (courtesy of Steve Brown/DC Thomson)

TikaWeeks #35/2023: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 31st August 2023

“Blue moon, you saw me standing alone…” is the classic refrain sung by Old Blues Eyes himself but overnight we had the confluence of a blue moon and a super moon for our second full moon of the month. In Sri Lanka, full moon or Poya day is particularly significant to the Sinhalese Buddhist majority as the Buddha was born, found enlightenment and reached nirvana on the same full moon day. Every Poya day is celebrated throughout the year and each one has a different significance to Buddhists on the island.

Tamil tea picker in the Hill Country, Sri Lanka

TikaWeeks #31/2023: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 2nd August 2023

Sri Lanka is synonymous with tea and has a long-standing reputation for producing some of the world's finest, with a plantation history dating back to 1862 and an export value of US$2.6bn. The humble beverage has become the island’s pride worldwide, accounting for nearly 14% of total export earnings and ranking among its most prized products. This year is the 200th anniversary of the arrival of Tamils of Indian origin in Sri Lanka and their history is inextricably entwined with the story of tea on the island.

TikaWeeks #28/2023: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 14th July 2023

Sustainability has rightly taken centre stage as we strive to combat climate change, but what does it really mean? By today’s common definition, to be sustainable we must balance how we meet human needs with our ability to continue to do so for the foreseeable future without degrading the natural environment. This update outlines the core principles of sustainability with regard to travel and Tikalanka.

Local school children on a well-earned drinks break, AMBA Estate, Ella, Sri Lanka

TikaWeeks #25/2023: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 21st June 2023

For a “hands-on village experience” in Sri Lanka there is no better place than AMBA Estate, which is a community-run social enterprise in the stunning Uva Highlands outside of Ella in the southern Hill Country. Based around an organic farm, you will be interacting with villagers in a practical way during every activity at AMBA Estate, whether it is a tea plantation tour, a hike around the valley or artisanal product-making. Come and enjoy the fun!

Golden sand, swaying palms and the clear blue waters of a typical sun-drenched beach in Sri Lanka

TikaWeeks #19/2023: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 11th May 2023

When is the best time to visit Sri Lanka? Since the end of the civil war in 2009, there is no ‘best time’ to travel as the entire country is open so you may visit when it is best for you. However, different areas are better than others at particular times of the year depending on the prevailing monsoon season. The Maha monsoon affects the north and east of the island between October and February, while the Yala monsoon arrives in May and lasts until October in the southern and western regions.

Independent Tailor-made Holidays to Sri Lanka & Maldives