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| Trip Planning | Itinerary of the Tour | Brief History of Sri Lanka & Map | Daily Log & Photos |
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Trip Planning and Itinerary |
Virginia suggested we take a cruise to Sri Lanka for my 80th birthday as that is one country I haven't been to. And to celebrate my birthday in Sri Lanka would be a treat. But my birthday is February 4th and we will be on the Arabian Sea cruising to Oman so my birthday will be on the ship. Not a bad way to spend my 80th birthday!
We could also visit several other countries that would help me complete my world map of areas I have traveled to. So we ended up going to Dubai, Oman, three cities in India, then Sri Lanka, four countries I hadn't been to in all my world travels.
Important: We were informed by the captain as we left the ship to tour Colombo, the next two ports, Pucket Thailand and Singapore, were off limit due to the Coronavirus.
Virginia and I had already been to those countries but many hadn't and were sad but knew it was better safe than sorry. We all got a $150.00 on the four days back to Dubai to help us cope with the change in the route!
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We were informed the cruise would end in Sri Lanka and cruise back to Dubai due to the Coronavirus.
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Brief History of Sri Lanka and a Map |
The first Sri Lankan ruler of the Anuradhapura Kingdom, Pandukabhaya, is recorded for the 4th century BCE. Buddhism was introduced in the 3rd century BCE by Arhath Mahinda (son of the Indian emperor Ashoka). The first Tamil ruler of the Anuradhapura Kingdom, Ellalan (Elara), an invader, is recorded for the 2nd century BCE.
The island was divided into numerous kingdoms over the following centuries, intermittently (between CE 993–1077) united under Chola rule. Sri Lanka was ruled by 181 monarchs from the Anuradhapura to Kandy periods. From the 16th century, some coastal areas of the country were also controlled by the Portuguese, Dutch and British. Between 1597 and 1658, a substantial part of the island was under Portuguese rule.
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Day 11 | February 11th - Sail to Columbo - Sri Lanka - Columbo Tour - $58.75 per Person |
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View of Colombo Sri Lanka from the ship!
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Don't miss this tour highlighting Colombo's fascinating mix of three former colonial influences blended with its own. Start by riding past the commercial district's Pettah bazaar area, Town Hall, and Vihara Mahdevi Park, formerly British botanical gardens. Pass by Cinnamon Gardens residential district, a former cinnamon plantation, with colonial mansions lining lovely shaded avenues. Visit the National Museum, Galle Face Green, with its joggers and kite flyers, the Colombo Club, and intimate Gangarama Temple.
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The Chinese were coming to Sri Lanka for conferance and decided to build a building for that purpose. The Sri Lankan's call it the White House! The Chinese also built a theatre in the shape of a lotus blossom!
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The Sri Lankan Constitution of 1972 was a constitution of Sri Lanka, replaced by the 1978 constitution currently in force. It was Sri Lanka's first republican constitution, and its second since independence in 1948. The constitution changed the country's name to Sri Lanka from Ceylon, and established it as an independent republic. The country was officially designated "Republic of Sri Lanka", leading to this constitution being known as "the 1972 Republican Constitution". The constitution was promulgated on 22 May 1972.
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The Chinese are investing all over the world and in Sri Lanka, have a 20 year building endevore, piling soil on the shore to begin building a new financial district of high rises.
Note the building on the left is built in the shape of a /\ and most buildings are around 40 stories or so!
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National Museum of Colombo , also known as the Sri Lanka National Museum is one of two museums in Colombo. It is the largest museum in Sri Lanka. It is maintained by the Department of National Museum of the central government. The museum holds contains a collections of much importance to Sri Lanka such as the regalia of the country, including the throne and crown of the Kandyan monarchs as well as many other exhibits telling the story of ancient Sri Lanka.
The Colombo Museum, as it was called at the beginning, was established on 1 January 1877. Its founder was Sir William Henry Gregory the British Governor of Ceylon (Sri Lanka) at the time. The Royal Asiatic Society (CB) was instrumental in bringing to the notice of Gregory on his appointment as governor in 1872 the need for a public Museum with much difficulty the approval of the legislative council was obtained within a year. The Architect of the Public Works Department, James G. Smither (1833–1910) was able to prepare the plans for new structure on Italian Architectural style. The construction was completed in 1876 and the museum commenced it functions in the following year.
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Gangaramaya Temple is one of the most important temples in Colombo, Sri Lanka, being a mix of modern architecture and cultural essence. Located on the Beira Lake, it was completed in the late 19th century.
The temple's architecture demonstrates an eclectic mix of Sri Lankan, Thai, Indian, and Chinese architecture.
This Buddhist temple includes several imposing buildings and is situated not far from the placid waters of Beira Lake on a plot of land that was originally a small hermitage on a piece of marshy land. It has the main features of a Vihara (temple), the Cetiya (Pagada) the Bodhitree, the Vihara Mandiraya, the Seema malaka (assembly hall for monks) and the Relic Chamber. In addition, a museum, a library, a residential hall, a three storeyed Pirivena, educational halls and an alms hall are also on the premises.
Most notable for tourists is the architecture of the Simamalaka Shrine, which was built with donations from a Muslim sponsor to the design of Geoffrey Bawa.
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The Galle Face Hotel The is situated in the heart of Colombo, along the seafront and facing the famous Galle Face Green.One of the oldest hotels east of the Suez, The Galle Face Hotel embraces its rich history and legendary traditions, utilizing them to create engaging, immersive experiences that resonate with old and new generations of travelers alike. No visit to Sri Lanka is complete without staying at this majestic hotel, built in 1864 and recently restored back to its former glory.
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As we were leaving the ship the captain announced that we were not going on to Thailand and Singapore due to the coronavirus. We were told we would sail back to Dubai and each get $150.00 to spend as we wished! Since Virgina and I had already been to Phuket Thailand and Singapore before, we really didn't care but others had reservations at Singapore to stay on and shop and go on tours. We all had to redo our airline ticketing and if necessary, get a room for the airline reschedule!
| Created on: 2017.02.28 |
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Updated on: 2020.02.24 |