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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.

Batik, Sri Lanka

TikaWeeks #27/2018: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 8th July 2018

With fairly traded goods and services you have the power to change the world every day since simple shopping or holiday choices can get local producers and providers a better deal. This means that they can make their own decisions, control their future and lead the dignified life everyone deserves. Our new Fair Trade Sri Lanka holiday combines an introductory tour of the island with visits to fair trade producers while staying in local accommodation. This week’s update also continues our “Peoples of Sri Lanka” series and suggests places to stay off the beaten track.

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Cows on the beach, Nilaveli, Sri Lanka

TikaWeeks #26/2018: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 1st July 2018

The north and east of Sri Lanka have opened up and developed since the peace, but not too much – yet. So now is the time to visit on your very own tailor-made holiday. Our Northern Explorer itinerary will introduce you to Mannar Island, Jaffna, the east coast around Trincomalee and the Cultural Triangle. This week’s update details our new northern Sri Lanka holiday, begins our Peoples of Sri Lanka series, and suggests hotel stays in and around Jaffna.

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Girls at Sunday school, Kandy, Sri Lanka

TikaWeeks #25/2018: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 23rd June 2018

Poson poya (full moon) day on 27 June 2018 celebrates the arrival of Buddhism to Sri Lanka in the 3rd century BC, a festival of great historical and religious significance to Buddhists throughout the country. For Buddhists, the hallowed day of Poson is second only to Wesak in terms of importance. Although Poson is celebrated throughout the island, the principal ceremonies are to be found in Anuradhapura and Mihintale. This week’s update describes the island’s Poson festivities, concludes our daily life series and suggests accommodation options around Anuradhapura.

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Pathi, John and 'van' (minibus), JB Pathi Tours, April 2003, Sri Lanka

TikaWeeks #24/2018: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 17th June 2018

Tikalanka is truly the Sri Lanka specialist since we offer holidays to Sri Lanka and Maldives only. But why? Many of our customers question the rationale for arranging holidays to just two countries, whereas we see it as a positive choice and affirmation of our passion for Sri Lanka. This is borne from our origins – a chance meeting of similar minds across different cultures. This week’s update champions Tikalanka as the Sri Lanka tailor-made holidays specialist, continues the daily life series and recommends places to stay in Colombo.

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Traditional wedding blessing in Sri Lanka

TikaWeeks #20/2018: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 20th May 2018

With the Royal wedding done and dusted, I turn to the wedding ceremony fit for kings and queens in Sri Lanka. The nuptial event is a grand and lavish occasion for most couples on the island, from the faux regalia of the last Sinhalese sovereigns to the lengthy guest list to dwarf even Harry and Meghan’s invitees! This week’s update details the traditional Buddhist Sinhalese marriage arrangements and wedding ceremony, showcases weddings in Sri Lanka by Tikalanka, continues our day in a life series, and offers accommodation options around Tangalle.

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Banana seller, Batticaloa market, Sri Lanka

TikaWeeks #19/2018: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 13th May 2018

Tipping seems to be fraught with anxiety and doubt amongst our mostly British clientele. Sri Lanka has an inherent tipping culture and commissions are widespread and, as a foreign visitor, you will be ‘expected’ to offer generous gratuities to all and sundry, regardless of whether it is deserved or not. This week’s update discusses tipping, touts and conmen, continues with our daily life series, and recommends beachside resorts in Passikudah on the east coast.

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Adobe house, Elamaldeniya, Sri Lanka

TikaWeeks #18/2018: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 7th May 2018

Mobile devices and the internet have revolutionised the world we live in, the most significant innovations since the invention of the internal combustion engine or the development of antibiotics. With innovation comes challenges and although perceived as a fountain of knowledge, is mobile internet access in fact a Pandora’s Box? Sri Lankan life goes into the countryside and hotel recommendations go east in the rest of this week’s update.

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Wesak celebrations, Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka (courtesy of Ashin Sobhana)

TikaWeeks #17/2018: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 29th April 2018

The full moon of Wesak is the most important Buddhist festival of the year, which commemorates the Birth, Enlightenment and Parinirvana of the Buddha. In Sri Lanka, colourful lanterns are hung along streets and in front of homes, electrically-lit platforms decorated with scenes of Buddha’s lives are erected around the country, food stalls provide free food and drinks to passers-by, and locals chant Buddhist devotional songs. This week’s update includes Wesak, the start of our everyday life series and recommended accommodation around Kandy.

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Tracey and thambili, Nilaveli Beach Hotel, Nilaveli, Sri Lanka

TikaWeeks #16/2018: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 22nd April 2018

Sri Lanka and its people are welcoming to all types of travellers – children, seniors, LGBTs, solo women and the mobility challenged. However, it is best to prepare for your trip to ensure that your holiday in Sri Lanka is enjoyable and trouble free. This week’s update includes a brief guide to visiting the island for different types of travellers, the last of our food series and a few recommended places to stay around Ella.

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Sri Lanka flag aflutter

TikaWeeks #15/2018: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 15th April 2018

Suba Aluth Awuruddak Wewa! Best wishes to all for the Sinhalese and Tamil New Year (14 April). An exciting and frantic time on the island for the locals, and an interesting period to travel as a foreign visitor, if you don’t mind going with the ‘flow’ – busy roads and public transport, closed shops, and a more laid back approach in the hotels! This week’s update continues with vegetarian options, a central tenet of Sri Lankan cooking, and some of our favourite places to stay in Galle.

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