Explore Sri Lanka

Explore Sri Lankahttps://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/explore/southern-asia/sri-lankaExplore Sri Lankahttps://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/explore/southern-asia/sri-lanka/5-national-parks-to-visitThe small island nation of Sri Lanka has a remarkable diversity of landscapes. Nomad Sarah shares some of her favorite places to spot leopards and elephants, snorkel with dolphins and turtles, and hike to spectacular views.2021-12-02T11:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/explore/southern-asia/sri-lanka/5-national-parks-to-visithttps://www.worldnomads.com<ul> <li><a href="#yala">Yala National Park</a></li> <li><a href="#wilpattu">Wilpattu National Park </a></li> <li><a href="#horton">World’s End at Horton Plains</a></li> <li><a href="#adam">Adam’s Bridge National Marine Park</a></li> <li><a href="#minneriya">Minneriya National Park</a></li> <li><a href="#trip-notes">Trip notes</a></li> </ul> <h2 id="yala">Yala National Park</h2> With a savannah-like microclimate and bulbus tree trunks, it’s not surprising that Yala National Park has the highest concentration of leopards in Sri Lanka. It seems like perfect leopard territory – every rock, and every movement in the bushes makes me hold my breath in anticipation. Though Sri Lankan leopards are extremely rare, they’re the biggest draw at Yala. And when Mattala International Airport opened in 2013 (only 40 minutes away) making southeastern Sri Lanka easily accessible, rather than a long road trip from Colombo, Yala saw a sudden boom in popularity. It’s quieter during July to January due to monsoon season (excluding September, when it closes for maintenance). If the water levels are high, wildlife is more dispersed and can be harder to spot, but if the monsoon is lighter than normal, you may have a better chance. <h3>Hiring eco guides in Yala</h3> Sometimes even the most independent traveler needs a guide, and this would be one of those times. The local guides are extremely experienced in tracking the well-camouflaged leopard population. They’re also well-versed in animal behavior – let’s not forget leopards and elephants could do you some damage, so a self-drive tuk-tuk isn’t the safest way to see them. You need a driver in something substantial like a Jeep – US $60 (LKR 12,065) full day, with guide. The downside is some people, including even some guides, drive too fast around the park, which occasionally can lead to animals being struck and killed. Consider asking them not to focus so hard on finding leopards. There’s plenty of other wildlife in this remarkably diverse landscape, such as Bengal monitor lizards, mugger crocodiles, water buffaloes, langur monkeys, and maybe the occasional ruddy mongoose. The birdlife is also abundant, including green bee-eaters and crested serpent eagles. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/sri-lanka/national-parks/spotted-deer-yala-edhaens.jpg" alt="A herd of axis deer in Yala National Park, Sri Lanka." /> <figcaption>A herd of axis deer in Yala. Photo credit: Edwin d'Haens</figcaption></figure> The <a href="https://www.yalasrilanka.lk/visitor-guide.html">official website</a> has a lot of useful info on how to visit responsibly (and how to report any inappropriate behavior). Tickets are US $15/day (LKR 3,015/day) and it includes an option to book a full or half-day Jeep tour with approved guides. <h2 id="wilpattu">Wilpattu National Park</h2> Wilpattu National Park is less well-known than Yala, despite being the largest national park and one of the oldest in the country (established in 1938). Like Yala, it’s renowned for its leopards. I was fortunate enough to see one feasting its eyes upon a spotted deer from a thicket at sunset. However, it’s easier to get to than Yala as it’s on the west coast, not far from Anuradhapura. A 2015 survey by the Wilderness and Wildlife Conservation Trust photographed around 50 leopards in the park, but again, remember leopards are just the icing on the cake. You might see a sloth bear, and you’ll certainly see some magnificent scenery. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/sri-lanka/national-parks/croc-wilpattu-sarah-harvey.jpg" alt="A crocodile at the edge of a lake in Wilpattu National Park, Sri Lanka." /> <figcaption>A crocodile in Wilpattu National Park. Image credit: Sarah Harvey</figcaption></figure> The most striking feature is the large number of sand-rimmed lakes formed by rainwater filling large depressions in the ground. As such, this 508mi2 (1,317km2) park is jam-packed with crocodiles and water buffaloes, reptiles such as monitor lizards, Indian pythons, and turtles, and wetland birds such as black-headed ibis, egrets, herons, and spoonbills. The lakes and tanks (reservoirs) also attract lots of elephants. Only 25% of the park is accessible to visitors, making it an incredible conservation area. The most popular time to visit is February to October, during the monsoon. As with Yala, it’s safer and <a href="/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/participation/how-to-choose-an-ethical-tour-operator">more responsible</a> to search online for an eco-tour. Park entry is US $15 (LKR 3,015) and guided tours cost around US $100/LKR 21,000 (half day) to about US $130/LKR 26,140 (full day). A full day offers a better chance of seeing everything you want, although if you plan for two, it takes some of the pressure off the guide. <h2 id="horton">World’s End at Horton Plains</h2> For breathtaking scenery and hiking, World's End at Horton Plains in Uva Province is where to go. This verdant hike in Sri Lanka’s <a href="/explore/southern-asia/sri-lanka/exploring-haputale-and-sri-lankas-hill-country-by-train">Hill Country</a> brings you to a sheer cliff edge with 4,000ft (1,219m) drop. On a clear day, peaks, plateaus, and panoramas await you, peppered with tiny villages and maybe a glimpse of the sea 50mi (80km) away. It really does feel like you're standing on the edge of the world. If you visit in the afternoon, or during April-November, you’ll be confronted by a wall of mist and cloud swirling in the void right in front of you – but this can make for a dramatic experience, too. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/sri-lanka/national-parks/worlds-end-getty-512040216-goodolga.jpg" alt="The expansive view from World's End, Horton Plains, Sri Lanka." /> <figcaption>The view from World's End. Image credit: Getty Images / GoodOlga</figcaption></figure> Horton Plains is a plateau, so the <a href="/travel-insurance/activities/hiking-travel-insurance">hike</a> is not too challenging. The trail to the cliff is only 2.4 mi (4km). On the way back, the trail loops around to the impressive 65ft (20m) Baker’s Falls. The waterfall is just 1.2 mi (2km) down the trail from World’s End, then it’s only 2.1mi (3.5km) back to the trailhead. This 5.9mi (9.5km) circuit can be easily completed in three hours. Bring waterproof clothing and warm layers, because <a href="/explore/worldwide/3-epic-pilgrimage-routes">Hill Country</a> can be cold and damp, with sudden showers. But wear a t-shirt underneath because it can heat up quickly if the sun emerges. Warm yourself with a fortifying flask of milk tea from local tea plantations or ask your guesthouse to give you a packed breakfast. Entry is US $25 (LKR 5,025) and a guide is just US $4 (LKR 800) – if you’re a solo woman you may want to hire one for safety or make friends at your guesthouse/hotel to go with, as some have reported feeling unsafe. There are no guard rails at the precipice and there have been a few accidents so take care near the edge and don’t leave the path. <h2 id="adam">Adam’s Bridge National Marine Park</h2> This <a href="/explore/southern-asia/sri-lanka/5-things-to-know-before-visiting#sites">stunning park</a> in the Gulf of Mannar bears more than a passing resemblance to the neighboring <a href="/explore/southern-asia/maldives/budget-travel-in-the-maldives">Maldives</a> islands. It’s named after the famous former land bridge between India and Sri Lanka – the stuff of legends linked to Adam being cast out of the Garden of Eden and walking across the bridge to get to India. It’s also at the center of a debate over whether it’s natural or man-made. It seems many people used to use “Rama Setu” to get between the two countries before it was submerged over 600 years ago. You can still walk from Mannar Island across some of the sand dunes, but don’t try to wade the full 18mi (30km) to India unless you want to be detained as an illegal immigrant! <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/sri-lanka/national-parks/adams-bridge-credit-cc-by-sa planemad-wikimedia.jpg" alt="Adam's Bridge, a former land bridge connecting India and Sri Lanka." /> <figcaption>Adam's Bridge. Image credit: <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adam%27s_Bridge#/media/File:Adams_Bridge_aerial.jpg">CC-by-sa PlaneMadWikimedia</a></figcaption></figure> The extremely shallow turquoise waters (just 1-10m/3.2ft-32.8ft) attract all kinds of species including dolphins, porpoises, dugongs, and sea turtles. Snorkeling adds another dimension to the experience. Since the park isn’t very developed, hire snorkel gear from Mannar Island. In the clear waters with patches of seagrass, I spotted turtles and two dolphins. Take care not to stand on the coral as it kills it. The waist-deep water is also a popular kitesurfing spot, or it’s possible to hire a boat from Mannar Island to view the bridge from the water <h2 id="minneriya">Minneriya National Park</h2> If you’re visiting the Cultural Triangle and want to find a worthwhile national park nearby, Minneriya in the North Central Province is worth the visit. It’s most notable for attracting a few hundred elephants during dry season, the largest recurring Asian elephant gathering in the world – at times, up to 700 have assembled. They migrate from Wasgamuwa National Park annually in search of food and water. The lush land at Minneriya sustains them, along with enormous flocks of little cormorants, which add to the spectacle. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/sri-lanka/national-parks/minneriya-getty-stefan-huwiler.jpg" alt="A group of elephants near a lake in Minneriya National Park, Sri Lanka." /> <figcaption>A group of elephants in Minneriya . Image credit: Getty Images / Stefan Huwiler</figcaption></figure> Mammals including playful, purple-faced langurs and toque macaque as well as sambar deer and Sri Lankan axis deer also live here, and reportedly, rare species such as leopards, sloth bears, and even gray slender loris have been sighted. As you may have guessed, crocodiles live here too, so don’t get too close to the water, no matter what you’re told about local crocs. The Minneriya tank was built in the 3rd Century by King Mahasen. It was created by blocking the river with a 1.2mi (2km) long, 42ft (13m) high dam and can hold up to 20 billion gallons of water – quite the engineering feat. A few of the elephants here are known to be aggressive due to negative encounters with humans such as being shot at or hit by vehicles. So again, an eco-tour is usually safer than a hire car, and definitely don’t try it on foot. Entry is US $15 (LKR 3, 015) and eco tours are around US $40/LKR 8,045 (half day) to $60/LKR 12,065 (full day). <h2 id="trip-notes">Trip notes</h2> Bring binoculars – guides do their best to bring you close but leopards are hard to spot (pun intended.) If you can get one, bring a zoom lens to make the most of your safaris. Underwater camera housing or a GoPro is useful for the Marine Park. Just don’t risk cheap housing. Always wear sunscreen and bring extra sunscreen with you – you’re very close to the equator here. In the dustiest areas (such as Yala) you’ll be covered in red dust by the end of the tour so don’t wear your favorite clothes.Getty Images / uba-foto 1472539982 Getty Images A leopard walks across the grass in Yala National Park, Sri Lanka.

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/explore/southern-asia/sri-lanka/5-things-to-know-before-visitingNomad Sarah shares her tips for making the most of your Sri Lanka trip: off-the-beaten-path sites to visit, ways to connect with the locals, and Sri Lankan food not to be missed.2021-12-02T11:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/explore/southern-asia/sri-lanka/5-things-to-know-before-visitinghttps://www.worldnomads.comSharing fiery kithul (palm syrup) and ginger cookies seemed like the best way to compensate for my terrible Sinhala pronunciation while traveling through the remotest parts of Sri Lanka. During my year of living there, and during other years of visa runs from the Maldives to Sri Lanka (two hours away by plane), I became fond of hopping on the Sri Lankan bus network. From just US $1.30 a ticket, and with routes criss-crossing the country, it seemed a pretty appealing way to explore. It meant I often found myself in remote rural areas where nobody spoke any European languages, but it did lead to a lot of discoveries. Although many people speak English in Colombo and the touristy areas, only 23.8% of the population speaks English. If you’re heading off the beaten track, try to familiarize yourself with some basic Sinhalese <a href="http://mylanguages.org/sinhala_alphabet.php">pronunciation</a>. Pointing at an English-language map won’t cut it – the beautiful, swirly Sinhalese alphabet uses different characters. But sincere effort, a friendly attitude, and some cookies can get you a long way (literally). That was probably my first real lesson about Sri Lanka. Here are some others. <ul> <li><a href="#sites">Visit these off-the-beaten-path ancient sites</a></li> <li><a href="#crowds">Avoid the crowds at popular attractions </a></li> <li><a href="#connect">Connect with the locals</a></li> <li><a href="#seek">Seek out these unique Sri Lanka experiences</a></li> <li><a href="#dishes">Sri Lankan dishes you must try</a></li> </ul> <h2 id="sites">Visit these off-the-beaten-path ancient sites</h2> <h3>Adam’s Bridge</h3> In Mannar District, on the far northwest coast, Rama Setu (Adam’s Bridge) is an awe-inspiring 30 mi (48km) chain of limestone rocks and islets that are the remains of a land connection between India and Sri Lanka. According to Sanskrit legends, it was constructed by an ape-man army belonging to the god Rama, so he could rescue his wife from imprisonment in Sri Lanka. Several ancient Islamic texts refer to Adam’s Bridge as the point where Adam crossed into India after being expelled from the Garden of Eden. Since many parts of it are only about 3ft (1m) underwater, there’s evidence people once used it to cross between <a href="/explore/southern-asia/india">India</a> and Sri Lanka on foot until it became partially submerged after a cyclone in 1480 AD. Rumor has it that people have continued to wade across for centuries but today, Indian Immigration would not be impressed, so don’t try it! <h3>Maligawila Buddha</h3> If you’re heading east, the huge 7th-century buddha at Maligawila in Moneragala District is the tallest and finest example of an ancient freestanding buddha in the country. It stands at 37ft 10” (11.5m) tall and was constructed from a single piece of limestone on the orders of Prince Agrabodhi. The statue’s head towers among the treetops surrounding it. With its serene pose and a natural soundtrack of birdsong, it makes for a peaceful pitstop. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/sri-lanka/5-things/maligawila-sarah-harvey.jpg" alt="The huge 7th-century standing buddha at Maligawila, Sri Lanka." /> <figcaption>The 7th-century buddha at Maligawila. Photo credit: Sarah Harvey</figcaption></figure> <h2 id="crowds">Avoid the crowds at popular attractions</h2> If you visit a <a href="/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/participation/respectful-travel">sacred site</a> during a religious festival, you’ll see pilgrims making offerings of sweet-smelling jasmine garlands and might find the bustle exciting. But if you want to avoid crowds, don’t visit during any national holidays (check the <a href="https://www.officeholidays.com/countries/sri-lanka/2021">calendar</a>), particularly weekends around Poya Day when attractions and public transport are thronged with domestic tourists. I once had to stand for six hours on the Ella-Kandy train. Poya Day is the monthly Theravada Buddhist holiday of Uposatha, and occurs during full moon. Theravada is the predominant form of Buddhism in Sri Lanka, and so Poya Days are always public holidays. Uposatha loosely translates as “entering to stay” and refers to the practice of coming together to reaffirm commitment to Buddhism. As such, the sale of alcohol is suspended out of respect for the religious holiday, and Sri Lankan families hit the road, en masse, to visit temples (both ancient and new), as well as pilgrimage sites such as <a href="/explore/worldwide/3-epic-pilgrimage-routes">Adam’s Peak</a>. <h2 id="connect">Connect with the locals</h2> <h3>Have your horoscope made</h3> For a unique Sri Lankan experience, ask any Sri Lankan to introduce you to a horoscope maker. In Sri Lankan culture, horoscopes are a very respectable part of local life. When a child is born, a very detailed horoscope is drawn up for them, if an entrepreneur is signing a deal, they’d check their horoscope to ensure they sign on a day which is auspicious for them, and when a couple wants to marry, they get their horoscopes checked to ensure they’re a match (or the wedding’s off). Even the time of arrival and departure at the wedding venue is decided by horoscope. Most towns and cities have a horoscope maker. However, you’ll probably need to bring a guide/translator with you. You give your full name, city and country of birth and time of birth, and they’ll draw up six very detailed charts for you, covering everything from love and finance to character and inheritances. <h3>Take a surfing lesson</h3> <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/sri-lanka/5-things/surfers-arugam-bay.jpg" alt="Surfers at Arugam Bay, Sri Lanka." /> <figcaption>Surfers at Arugam Bay. Image credit: Getty Images / Mathilde Receveur</figcaption></figure> A very different way to interact with locals is by <a href="/travel-insurance/activities/surfing">surfing</a> at Arugam Bay in Ampara District, where the mellow consistent waves are perfect for beginners. Most local surf guides consider it a personal challenge to have you standing up on a board within an hour. There’s even a certain amount of rivalry between them to have the best beginner. If you’re lucky, like I was, your surf instructor might even let you drive the tuk-tuk home afterwards. Find a guide through your hotel/guesthouse, or simply ask at the beach near Whiskey Point. <h2 id="seek">Seek out these unique Sri Lanka experiences</h2> <h3>Stilt fishermen in Koggala</h3> If you’re taking a road trip south of Colombo, head for the coastal town of Koggala. From the road you’ll see dozens of locals perched on top of wooden poles planted in shallow water, and unusual looking but very smart method of fishing. By sitting on the poles, the stilt fishermen avoid casting a shadow to scare the fish, don’t disturb the water with their feet, and are able to trick shallow-water fish into biting the bait on their lines. This is the only place in Sri Lanka where you can still see this traditional practice. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/sri-lanka/5-things/stilt-fishermen-edhaens.jpg" alt="Traditional stilt fishermen in Koggala, Sri Lanka." /> <figcaption>Stilt fishermen in Koggala. Image credit: Edwin d'Haens</figcaption></figure> <h3>Fishing villages along the southern coast</h3> There are also plenty of pretty fishing villages to visit along this route, such as Dondra at the southernmost point of the island. There’s a gorgeous beach, the country’s tallest lighthouse, the ruins of Hindu shrines, and authentic cafes serving local catches. But avoid Mirissa – this beautiful spot was once peaceful but rapidly became packed with illegal beach bars and party crowds. Many bars were removed, but its charm has gone. <h3>Sleep inside an elephant</h3> Inside the belly of an enormous straw elephant is probably one of the most unusual places I’ve woken up. The Elephant Villa at <a href="https://www.kumbukriver.com/">Kumbuk River Eco Lodge</a> is the world’s largest straw elephant, and it sways ever so slightly when the breeze picks up, lulling you off to sleep. This Sri Lankan-owned boutique property is the perfect jumping-off point for <a href="/explore/southern-asia/sri-lanka/5-national-parks-to-visit">Yala National Park</a>, but it also channels funds into conservation projects and supporting rural communities in the area, as well as educating guests about biodiversity. <h2 id="dishes">Sri Lankan dishes you must try</h2> <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/sri-lanka/5-things/selection-of-curries-ellen-hall.jpg" alt="A selection of traditional Sri Lankan curries and condiments." /> <figcaption>A selection of Sri Lankan curries and condiments. Image credit: Ellen Hall</figcaption></figure> Sri Lankan cuisine has many of the same spices you commonly find in Indian food, such as chili and cardamon, but also a subtle blend of more fragrant spices, such as local cinnamon. This gives it the additional, fragrant complexity of Thai or Malaysian cuisine. Coconuts are a huge component, as are other plentiful homegrown ingredients, such as lentils, onions, and pineapple. <h3>Rice and curry</h3> The national dish is simply called “rice and curry” but it actually features about five small curries. Usually four are vegetarian curries, such as dhal or pumpkin, plus there’s one meat or seafood curry. Try it with any of the infinite varieties of coconut sambal (an iconic Sri Lankan condiment) on the side. A traditional banana-leaf café is a great spot to enjoy rice and curry the way it’s been eaten for generations. These no-frills cafes serve your food upon an eco-friendly banana leaf. <h3>Sri Lankan street food</h3> The nation normally starts its day with the delicious street food known as “egg hoppers”, a sunny-side-up egg nestled in a crispy, crepe-like bowl made from rice flour and coconut milk. Kottu roti is my go-to if I want comfort food – think of it as the Sri Lankan mac and cheese. The hole-in-the-walls serving them make a big show of dicing up the roti (flatbread) with huge blades – just follow the clanging noise. Chili, onion, coconut, scrambled egg, spices and (optional) chicken are thrown into the mix.Getty Images / Elke Maitzel 1 891895880 Getty Images A man cooks street food in a market stall in Sri Lanka.

Dinner with Riaz | Sri Lanka Travel Storyhttps://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/stories/connection/dinner-with-riazDinner with Riaz | Sri Lanka Travel StoryTue, 06 Oct 2020 18:59:36 GMThttps://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/stories/connection/dinner-with-riazThe Miracle Worker | Sri Lanka Travel Storyhttps://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/stories/fear/the-miracle-workerThe Miracle Worker | Sri Lanka Travel StorySat, 15 Dec 2018 00:34:46 GMThttps://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/stories/fear/the-miracle-workerhttps://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/explore/southern-asia/sri-lanka/the-world-nomads-podcast-sri-lankaIn this episode, we discuss Sri Lanka's pristine environment, dodging elephants, tea plantations and the record-breaking traveler.2018-10-09T11:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/explore/southern-asia/sri-lanka/the-world-nomads-podcast-sri-lankahttps://www.worldnomads.com<h2>The World Nomads Podcast: Sri Lanka</h2> In this episode we hear about Sri Lanka's pristine environment, volunteering overseas, dodging elephants, tea plantations and the record-breaking traveler. <h2>What’s in the Episode</h2> 00:56 Quiz Question 01:46 Felix Weber 03:35 The Beauty of Sri Lanka "...Everything in Sri Lanka, people-wise as well as scenery-wiseis beautiful. It's so diverse." - Felix 09:00 The battle to keep on top of rubbish 11:00 Volunteer in Sri Lanka with Idex 20:25 What can you be fined for doing in Thailand? 21:59 The world's most visited cities in 2018 23:06 Our Footprints network, funded by micro-donations, has raised the amount needed for the women's economic empowerment program in Sri Lanka.  27:27 James Asquith world record holder 32:26 Holiday Swap "... this is for everyone to make travel more accessible." - James Asquith 37:57 Isaac Entry and his family trip to Sri Lanka "...From my personal experience, there are very few experiences in life that have been enhanced by the addition of a four year old. Sri Lanka was amazing." - Isaac 45:50 Quiz Question answer 47:00 Next week <h2>Who is in the Episode</h2> We meet James Asquith, the Official Guinness World Record-holder for being the youngest person to visit all 196 sovereign nations in the world. James is also the Founder and CEO of one the fastest growing travel apps, Holiday Swap, which is active in more than 180 countries, and the winner of the Best New App Award. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/Podcast/james.jpg" /><figcaption>James Asquith</figcaption></figure> Follow <a href="https://www.instagram.com/jamesasquithtravel/">James </a>and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/holswap/">Holiday Swap</a> on Instagram and <a href="https://www.holidayswap.com/">online</a>, plus we’ve given you two links to the App store if you’d like to download and start swapping, check out <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/holidayswap/id1313713150?ls=1&mt=8">itunes</a> or <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.holidayswap">Google Play</a>. Ninad Sharma runs <a href="http://www.goidex.com/volunteering-in-sri-lanka/">Idex</a>, a volunteer and travel company that helps travelers get amongst the local culture by taking part in volunteer programs, while also developing yourself and making new friends while traveling. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/Podcast/idexresized.jpg" /><figcaption>Volunteer with Idex</figcaption></figure> We welcome back Felix Weber in this podcast episode. Felix was recently featured as an <a href="https://www.worldnomads.com/explore/oceania/australia/amazing-nomads-felix-webster">Amazing Nomad</a> where he revealed a little of living as a minimalist in the mountains of Sri Lanka. Of course, we had to find out more. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/Podcast/felixweber.jpg" /> <figcaption> Knuckles Moutain Range Sri Lanka </figcaption></figure> Isaac Entry is the World Nomads Social Media Manager. Isaac recently went with his partner Bec and super-cute, four-year-old daughter Ashley on a family holiday to Sri Lanka. Isaac has some greats tips on traveling to this destination with a child. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/Podcast/isaactrain.jpg" /> <figcaption> The main railway station in Colombo, where Isaac and his family caught the train to Galle. Photo Credit: Isaac Entry</figcaption></figure> Our Footprints Network funded by micro donations has raised the amount needed for the <a href="https://www.footprintsnetwork.org/project/153/Womens-Economic-Empowerment-Sri-Lanka.aspx">Women’s Economic Empowerment Program</a> in Sri Lanka with a focus on vocational training. The project’s goal is to improve the economic well-being of young Sri Lankan women and girls through decent employment and sustainable livelihoods. We spoke with project co-ordinator Rajkumar Nagarajah. <h2>Resources & Links</h2> Scholarships Newsletter: <a href="https://www.worldnomads.com/create">Sign up for scholarships news and see what opportunities are live here</a>. Learn more about the current, funded and completed projects within our <a href="https://footprints.worldnomads.com/">Footprints Network</a>.  <h2>Want to Republish This Episode</h2> <iframe width="100%" height="200" src="https://player.whooshkaa.com/player/episode/id/284396?visual=true&sharing=true" frameborder="0" style="width: 100%; height: 200px"></iframe> <h2>Sign up for Podcast News </h2> Explore your boundaries and discover your next adventure with The World Nomads Podcast. Hosted by Podcast Producer Kim Napier and World Nomads Phil Sylvester, each episode will take you around the world with insights into destinations from travelers and experts. They’ll share the latest in travel news, answer your travel questions and fill you in on what World Nomads is up to, including the latest scholarships and guides. The World Nomads Podcast is not your usual travel Podcast. It’s everything for the adventurous, independent traveler. Don’t miss out. Subscribe today. Next Episode: Gone With the Wynns.  <h2>About World Nomads & the Podcast</h2> Explore your boundaries and discover your next adventure with The World Nomads Podcast. Hosted by Podcast Producer Kim Napier and World Nomads Phil Sylvester, each episode will take you around the world with insights into destinations from travelers and experts. They’ll share the latest in travel news, answer your travel questions and fill you in on what World Nomads is up to, including the latest scholarships and guides. <a href="https://www.worldnomads.com/%22%20%5Ct%20%22_blank">World Nomads</a> is a fast-growing online travel company that provides inspiration, advice, safety tips and specialized travel insurance for independent, volunteer and student travelers traveling and studying most anywhere in the world. Our online global travel insurance covers travelers from more than 135 countries and allows you to buy and claim online, 24/7, even while already traveling. The World Nomads Podcast is not your usual travel Podcast. It’s everything for the adventurous, independent traveler. Don’t miss out. Subscribe today. <div class="AccordionSection nst-component nst-is-collapsed"><button class="AccordionSection-title nst-toggle">Full Transcript of the Episode</button> <div class="nst-content"> <div class="AccordionSection-inner"> Speaker 1: Welcome to the World Nomads podcast, delivered by World Nomads, the travel, lifestyle, and insurance brand. It's not your usual travel podcast. It's everything for the adventurous, independent traveler. Kim: Hey, thanks for tuning in. And welcome to our destination podcast. This time we're highlighting Sri Lanka. Phil: It's an island country in South Asia, southwest of the Bay of Bengal. And it's also one of the world's largest producers of tea. Kim: Yum. Now tea gets a mention in this episode. But our friend Felix prefers to grab a coconut and a cuppa as he lives and works in the hills of Sri Lanka. Phil, you catch up with a guy who runs a volunteer and travel abroad company. You met him at a conference in Edinburgh. Phil: Yeah. Kim: It includes Sri Lanka among its destinations. We speak to James, who is the official Guinness world record holder as the youngest person to visit all 196 sovereign nations in the world. Phil: Good work. Kim: Yeah. Plus much more. But let's get to a quiz question to get things under way. Phil: Okey dokey. Sri Lanka has been an important trading destination for centuries, driven by the demand for what native plant? And hint: it's not tea. Answer's at the end of the show. Kim: Felix Weber. He lives in Sri Lanka where he promotes sport for development, peace, and social cohesion. Now basically he promotes the non-competitive side of sports, which is something you can't associate with Phil. If you play, you play to win. Phil: That's it. Kim: Now, we've previously featured Felix as an amazing nomad, focusing on his running, which he does as a way to experience the world. And totally inspired by an absolute love of people. Phil: Yeah. Look, he lives in a very strange way. Well, I admire the way he lives. It's a very basic way of living. He's got a room with a toilet and a shower. But otherwise, no facilities. In fact, he actually camps inside his room and prefers to sleep on the floor. But that gives him protection from the mozzies. And he said it's where he sleeps the best. Felix: That's actually true for the last six months. So I moved now from the mountains to the east coast to a place called Batticaloa where it's almost every day very sunny and hot. But last night it just poured down and rain, and my room got completely flooded and everything actually. But luckily, I actually pitched my tent outside at the sports ground, so I only found the littlest flooding in my room this morning. And I had a peaceful night out on the sports ground. Kim: It wouldn't have ruined much because you also revealed that you're a minimalist. You travel with whatever you can fit into your backpack. Felix: Yeah. That's true. So basically 80% of the time when I'm moving around, I have everything I need with me. So if it's more a tent, a sleeping mat ... Here in Sri Lanka, I don't really need a sleeping bag so I just have a thin in-liner or sheet. And then basically just food and water and my running shoes. That's basically all I carry with me. Phil: When you got to a new place in Sri Lanka, what do people make of you? Do they think you're a bit of a nut? Kim: Last podcast you called him a hobo. Felix: Yeah. They're not really used to especially foreigners just running through villages or running through the tea plantations or the rice fields. So they're just interested. It's been a wonderful journey for the last four or five months I've been living here. And also last year I was here for three months and it's just been fantastic over the time. Kim: We know that you love people and it's one of the things that inspires you to travel, but tell us about the beauty of Sri Lanka. Felix: Everything in Sri Lanka, people-wise as well as scenery-wise. It's so diverse. You have different cultures here. You have the Hindus as well as the Buddhas, Christians, and also the Muslims. And this also applies to all the scenery. You have beautiful beaches, like this pristine white sand beaches with palm trees. You sometimes even have a small swing on it. So you can just enjoy your time on the beach. But then about 100 kilometers further, you're in the mountains, which go up to two and a half thousand meters. And it's so peaceful. You have waterfalls everywhere and you have also tropical rainforest with all the fauna diversity you can imagine. Felix: Two days ago, we were driving through Batticaloa and we saw three elephants just at the side of the road. And it just makes your day. Just moving to this country, it doesn't matter if it's on your feet or being in a vehicle. Phil: You don't have to go far to go to coastal to mountainous. That must be a really amazing thing to have at your doorstep. Felix: It is. And the funny thing is sometimes it's only 100 kilometers in Australia or for German standards. It would take you an hour. But here 100 kilometers can sometimes take you four to five hours. And when actually ... Because it's windy roads. It's traffic. People are always stopped at the side of the road to have a cup of tea or have just a snack. So traveling in a vehicle takes a very, very long time here. And it's very tiring. And that's why I find it so refreshing actually just to run also long distances because I move maybe not at the pace that I would in a vehicle. But it's not that much slower. So it's actually a big advantage. Kim: Yeah. But it's pretty hot there at the moment. How many miles or kilometers can you run before it's too exhausting? Felix: It really depends. I normally always take a bladder with me because I've had it once on a 20 kilometer run ... I was so dehydrated I was urinating blood. So it's very, very hot and humid. And sometimes it's very tiring and not as much fun. But what I do is sometimes when I want to get from A to B ... because I know people are so interested and generous and welcoming, I just run. And I basically know for a fact a tuktuk or a motorbike or someone will stop and just ask me if I need a ride. Phil: You clearly like the Sri Lankan people and they seem to like you as well. What is it about it? What do you find is the thing that makes the connection? Felix: I think the simplicity of things. Normally because they don't see me as a normal tourist who has the pockets full of money. They're just interested why I live this lifestyle. And it's not about materialistic things. It's not about money. It's just they want to offer me a tea, to sit down with me and have a quick chat even though language sometimes is a barrier. And I think that's the beauty of it, that even though we cannot communicate verbally in detail or perfectly, we still manage to find ways to get along and how to communicate, we use our hands and feet. And I just feel comfortable with the people. Phil: How good's the tea in Sri Lanka? So you're drinking a lot of tea. How good is it? Felix: I actually don't because they put so much so sugar. They either have made tea or plain tea. But they put I don't know how many teaspoons of sugar they put in it. So I actually stay away from the tea most of the time. And I prefer the coconuts by far. So I have the coconut, at least one every day. But sometimes I have a cup of tea when my sugar levels are down and I'm tired and I have a cup of tea. But otherwise, it doesn't really taste like tea anymore. Kim: No. I don't have sugar in my tea. Can't you just say that though? No sugar? Felix: Most of the time, they just prepare liters of tea. Like for example, here in the college we get four times tea a day. And they just have this big barrel where they just pour the tea out. And it's pre-prepared. So sometimes you can ask when you go to a smaller restaurant or a small shop, you can ask for plain tea. And then it's good tea. But otherwise, yeah it's always full of sugar. Phil: How about next time you're running through a tea plantation, you just grab a couple of leaves and dry 'em off yourself and make your own tea? Felix: Yeah I could. I actually slept in a lot of tea plantations because normally in the morning, the mist is just sitting in the tea. And it's just so beautiful waking up. You cannot see anything except fog and big, lush, green tea leaves. Kim: Is the environment fairly pristine? The beaches and through to the mountains? Felix: The environment itself, yes. But littering is a big problem if you go through more populated areas. And the beaches are full of litter. And they don't really have the awareness of how to keep the nature as it's supposed to be. And even in the college here, sometimes it's very dirty and you can smell it. And with the heat and humidity, it just doesn't take long until you can smell basically every item of litter. That's a sad part of it. Kim: You mentioned the college. Tell us about the work that you're doing in Sri Lanka. Because you're not just running and eating coconuts. You're actually doing something. Felix: Yes. So my role is here, basically to bring people from the various ethnic backgrounds together. So what I do here at the college, I teach normal physical education lectures. So this morning I just had a running class where I just told them about the different running techniques. But my main role is I organize the exchange programs, which we do at different colleges. Phil: And that's not something you could have done 10 or a dozen years ago because that's the basis of the entire complex, right? Felix: Yeah. That's correct. So the civil war ended in 2009. And since then, it's been relatively peaceful. But you can still feel there are a lot of prejudices between the different ethnic groups. But a lot of times it's because the people have never interacted with other people from the different ethnic groups. And that's why I think such an exchange program is quite sensible. It's just that to bring the people and actually see, they're basically the same people. It's jus that they have different beliefs. But some of them have the same interest. They actually eat most of the time the same food. And they are just much the same. I think that's how you can just the people. It doesn't matter what religion you have or what you believe in. It's just you can make friends with anyone. Phil: Ninad Sharma runs Idex, a volunteer and travel abroad company where you can get amongst the culture by taking part in very ethical volunteer abroad programs. At the same time, developing itself and making new friends during travel. Kim: Nice. Phil: Sri Lanka is one of the program's destinations. And I caught up with Ninad at the WYSTC Conference in Scotland to find out. Ninad: Well, our job is to help two sets of people. One is the young travelers, of course. And the other is the local people of the country, Sri Lanka for example. And the way we do it is we would prepare an opportunity to travel wherein a young person would be well taken care of in terms of their food, their stay. They would be given organized opportunities or options to immerse in the local culture in the form of meeting families, interacting with students. And the core part of the program would be for them to engage in a meaningful way, in an impactful way with local communities that need some degree of help. Now what that means is that if you look at any of the countries that are still developing, Sri Lanka being the point in case, there are schools that could use an additional English teacher, there are women's groups that could use somebody to come in and tell them about how to use PC, there are even monasteries which would benefit from learning English from a real English speaker because many times there are no English teacher around. There would be schools that would benefit from their walls being prepared or sports classes being run. Ninad: Now what we do is we take the local need and design it in a way that a young person can actually contribute to the need even though they may not have the language skills or the work experience. So our job is to facilitate through our knowledge to help these young people participate in a program which is enjoyable for them and useful for community members. Phil: And when we were talking earlier you said there's no shortage of projects that need work-ons. We're talking about developing countries in the Asian region all over. Ninad: Yes. You look at schools, you look at daycare, you look at health, you look at women issues, you look at rights or facilities for the differently abled, you look at orphanages, you look at facilities required for the elderly. There is a need everywhere. I wouldn't say necessarily there is an acute need because very often if you look at the disadvantaged in the mainstream media, you get shown heart-wrenching pictures of starving people in Africa or filthy slums in Asia. And that is definitely there, there's no doubt about that. But there are even sections of society which are much easier to access, which are much easier to go to and still make a contribution which is as valid as any other. Phil: But of course you're aware that this area has become a little bit tricky. That you've got to make sure that you're not actually taking a job from somebody else, that you are contributing in a meaningful way. So how do you manage that? Ninad: Well, I think the fear, if I may say, of taking jobs away is unfounded. If I gave you an example of my home country, India, a well-run school would have an English teacher that wouldn't really be able to speak more than a couple lines of English. So we're not really replacing any jobs. There is no way that jobs are going to get replaced by a few thousand volunteers that come in. What happens is more subtle. It's as I said earlier: infusion of energy. Bringing in new ideas. And even the international volunteers who may not believe what I'm saying sometimes, but they act as role models. They act as people who are getting places or doing things. Phil: Now, when we first met you also told me the very interesting story of how you got into this business. Can you share? Ninad: Yeah, absolutely. As a young college graduate back in '98, I didn't want to join any mainstream, the so-called professional lines, and wanted to explore what I wanted to do. And so I joined my mother's NGO. My mother was working at UNICEF-funded project at that time. And she was running a small NGO for women empowerment in the northwestern state of Rajasthan in India. So I joined her, started to help her around because I was able to use computers that she was not able to. Ninad: But there was just a slight problem. Despite all my work, she had no money to pay any salary to me. Not enough even to put petrol in my scooter. So I had to do something. Although I loved the work, it was very interesting, I got to meet a lot of people. And so I started a travel company wherein I started organizing group tours for German and Danish schools and travelers really. And it was great. We did well, quite possibly because we were able to think outside of the normal tourism industry. So it was not just about hotels and museums. It was we we could do a lot more. But overall it was dis-satisfactory because people would come to India, go to hotels and buildings, beautiful old buildings, but they would not really get to see much of the country, the real country, the daily lives and struggles and sources of joy for the Indian people. Ninad: And so it was making an income but it was not very satisfactory at a personal level. And then purely by cosmic karma, eight young people from Denmark asked us if we could organize for them at a project. So we had them come to a women's project in the middle of the desert really. I mean, the northwest of India is a desert state, a desert region. And it was an okay school that was being run by UNICEF. So imagine there's this desert community and there is this ground that has about 20, 30 houses in a circular formation with the school in the middle. And this was a community of nomadic blacksmiths. So it was the first ever attempt to settle down these nomadic communities so that they can get an address and have some running water and education for their kids. And by traditional standards, it was going well. So we had about 30% of the kids of the community attending school. Now that is already an achievement for people who for over 400 years had never settled down in one place. Ninad: But when we had these eight young people, within a month that they were spending there, the attendance went over 80%. The kids started to show up and their cousins started to show up, their parents started to show up at the school because there was just so much going on. And with millions upon millions of people in India, attention is sometimes hard to find. So we had the local media coming there, we had the local government coming in and providing funds to refurbish the school. And to us it was like magic because eight young people, one project, one month and the whole thing just got turned around. Ninad: And so we had sort of our eureka moment. We said, "Hm. This looks interesting. We have something that is travel, it helps people, it creates energy, brings attention. And it can be done with people who have had no prior experience of teaching nomadic blacksmiths' kids in the desert of India." That sounded pretty amazing. And of course, that was our first experience and we didn't quite know how to do it in the best possible manner but over the years we've improved it. And so now we can have a first-time, let's say a British young person come over to Sri Lanka and contribute to the lives of women there. We think it's a pretty cool thing to do. Kim: Thank you, Ninad. Other destinations include India, Nepal, Vietnam, and Thailand. There will be a link to the website in show notes. Phil, what's your travel news? Phil: Thailand's Maya Beach, the one where they filmed The Beach, you know that one? Kim: Yeah. Phil: It's going to remain closed indefinitely. Thai authorities initially they'll close it for a few months to allow the coral a respite from the hordes of tourists. But now they say it's closed for good. This is why we can't have nice things. Kim: Why? Phil: Well, it's been absolutely trashed. Kim: Yeah, I know that. But for good? Like forever? Phil: Indefinitely they say. So however long ... Kim: However long it takes. Phil: Coral grows very slowly. So when that comes back, I imagine. Also in Thailand, you can now be fined for feeding the pigeons. Look, this sounds like another one of those draconian, military juntas on a rampage laws. But I actually think this is a good idea because scam artists prey on tourists at temples and public squares around Bangkok especially selling them overpriced bird seed. Kim: Yeah. I told you I got done in Greece, didn't I? Phil: Oh that's right. They also say it's also going to decrease the risk of spreading bird flu. Flying rats and all that sort of stuff. Phil: Okay. Testing out my pronunciation again. Are we ready? The Japanese ... What is it? The Japanese belief in omotenashi, which means to whole-heartedly look after guests. Well, that's wearing a bit thin with the three main hot spots of Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto. Drowning in tourists. Kim: Everyone's going to Japan. Phil: 30 million visitors are expected in Japan by the end of this year. And they can say they're sick of the overcrowding and the bad behavior of some of them. Come on people, be nice. Kim, what started in late September? Kim: Not sure. You tell me. Phil: Oktoberfest. Kim: Getting in early. Phil: Look, it used to be in October but they've started a couple of weeks earlier now because the weather is better. It's just wrapped up without any major incident thankfully. A few hangovers I'm sure. But if you've missed this year's drinking festival in Munich, now's the perfect time to plan and book for next year. Phil: Speaking of heavily visited places, the world's most visited cities in 2018 have been named. Well, the year's still going. But the northern summer's over. Topping the list with 20 million visitors is Bangkok. London, Paris, Dubai is next. Kim: Do you know I saw a Facebook post or Instagram post on graffiti, street graffiti in Dubai? It's awesome art work. Phil: Oh is that right? Kim: But you would never think of it. The last thing you would think is that you'd be allowed to desecrate the buildings. Phil: Yeah. No, it's a pretty heavily regulated place. Kim: Yeah. But beautiful street art. Phil: I've been in Dubai for about a week. I rather liked it. It's quite good. I wasn't there when it was stinking hot but I quite liked it. What else is on this list that gets me? We're coming down the list a little bit. Antalya in Turkey, nine million visitors. Where else have we got? Antalya, Osaka, and at the bottom of that list is Bali with 8.3 million visitors. Kim: Mecca. That stands out. 9.18 million. Phil: Oh that's because of the Hajj. Kim: Does that wrap up your travel news? Phil: That's my news. Kim: Awesome. Well, here's some news. Our Footprints network, funded by micro-donations, has raised the amount needed for the women's economic empowerment program in Sri Lanka. It's focused on vocational training. Phil: The project's goal is to improve the economic well-being of young Sri Lankan women and girls through decent employment and sustainable livelihoods. We have the program coordinator, Raj Kumar, on the line to firstly find out what is meant by decent employment. Raj: In the sense of they have to have a certain income. And also the employer has to provide all the facilities, good terms and conditions for them. And also career prospects and career part for the employees as well. We also doing another program [inaudible 00:23:53] when they complete their vocational training program, we also support them to set up self-employment. But unfortunately, we are doing these projects [inaudible 00:24:05]. Unfortunately in the remote areas of Sri Lanka where ... from self-employment also, it's kind of a start-up enterprise, small enterprise, it's very difficult for them to get a big income from those sales, these small businesses. But we are also trying to promote the graduated young people to go to other districts where they can get more income or more better employment. Raj: But unfortunately, the girls from those districts because of the cultural barriers, they're unable to go to other districts where the population is more and also it's a better fit where the township is much better. Because of the cultural barrier, they are unwilling to go to the different district. Phil: So what does it mean for your project to have the involvement through the Footprints program? What has that meant for you? Raj: We want to ensure girls and boys are going to vocational training programs especially in the hospitality industry, construction industry, ICT and the automobile industry. And also, we want to ensure girls are going into non-traditional vocational training programs. Generally girls trying to do beauty culture, ICT, and a few other vocational training programs. So we are trying to have gender-sensitive career guidance training program to provide all the information about the vocational training programs and the institute that conduct different types of vocational training programs by the government and also by the private institute. So the girls and boys they have adequate, equal information. And then they can choose whatever their vocational training program they want to have. Raj: But the hospitality industry, and also in the construction industry, we have a huge shortage of labor. In fact, a couple of days ago I attended a conference in Sri Lanka. They are trying to bring foreign workers in China, India, Bangladesh, and Nepal to fill the vacancies in Sri Lanka in the hospitality and construction industry. So we are trying to train young girls and boys. Especially girls into the hospitality industry. But we really face lots of challenges. But through proper career guidance training program, targeting community members, religious leaders, teachers, principals, parents, then we are kind of trying to get more and more young girls into hospitality industry. Kim: So still a few challenges there, but so thrilled the Footprints network was able to help out. And obviously it can't be done without your micro-donations. So a huge thanks. Phil: And that's right. And we've got over four million dollars we've raised now from everybody who's donated. Yeah. Big thank you. Kim: Round of applause. Phil: Yeah definitely. Kim: Well done. Phil: Woo hoo. Kim: Phil, this man is the official Guinness world record holder to be the youngest person to visit all 196 sovereign nations in the world. It's not only all he's done, but I reckon we'll kick off with that. It's not a bad start. Phil: It's not a bad thing to start off with. Kim: James, welcome. James: Hey guys, how's it going? Phil: Can I ask the first question? How did you settle on 196? Because I thought it was 198. James: Do you know what? I'm still not sure myself. Phil: No, nobody is. James: It's something that's kind of up for debate. And there's 195 sovereign countries plus other regions, territories. I guess this is where the conversation gets all political about Taiwan and Hong Kong. I think I saw something a few years ago where one big company they're in 220 something countries. So it depends what you want to class it as. I guess some people class like Reunion for example in the Indian Ocean 8,000 kilometers from France. And is that still France? Is it not? Tahiti is even worse. Yeah, I guess people kind of class it as many different things. Phil: Well, did you go to Reunion? James: I did actually go to Reunion. Phil: Oh good. James: It does feel like a mini little tropical France. Kim: I'm interested in the application process because I've tried to break a few world records before. Phil: Drinking doesn't count, Kim. Kim: No, it wasn't, James. Don't believe it. James: Was it a tequila tray? Kim: I think I have broken the world record for that. No, it was the most bras strung together across this particular bridge. And then there was another one like sticking chocolates in my mouth. But the issue is ... Phil: Can I just point out this is not random strange behavior? Kim used to host an FM radio breakfast program. Kim: Exactly. Phil: So all those hijinks that people get up to. She is that mad but ... James: What kind of chocolates? That's the first thing that I want to ask. Kim: Ferrero Rochers, James. James: I knew you were going to say that for some reason because everyone ... it's such a difficult chocolate to eat. Kim: It is. You try shoving seven or nine of those in your mouth. It's not good. Phil: They've got little sharp edges on them. Kim: I know. So I know that the application process is rigorous. It's super strict. In fact, I was under the understanding that when you're cracking a record, you actually have to have an official from Guinness there to make sure that you're not cheating and you're doing all the right things. So how did you go about it, visiting 196 countries? James: Oh gosh. It was not easy. And obviously due to the whole global nature of going everywhere it was something that took a lot of evidence. And initially I kind of thought, a passport's an official document. The visas and the stamps would hopefully suffice and be enough that ... as everyone knows, Guinness do things very properly and then probably then some beyond that. So it actually took probably over a year to actually get it validated and confirmed. Just the piles of evidence that we have for them. Witnesses in every country and photos that were proved in every country and tickets and travel plans and visas obviously as well, et cetera, et cetera. So a log of everything that had to be fully verified by them. So it took a long time. I feel for the person that had to do that over at Guinness because it was a lot of back and forth and a lot of evidence. I think there was one occasion where ... like for example, I've been to the Bahamas on a cruise. And when you go on a cruise to a lot of places to the Caribbean ... I was not intending to go to every country and get a world record at this point. So I got off the boat and I was just enjoying myself as you do. I was like, "Hey, here's the Bahamas." James: And then it was only when I turned around and I thought, "I need to get the evidence" because there are many different kind of tick boxes of evidence that you need. One of them is obviously the visas and the stamps. So I actually got a flight from London to the Bahamas just to go back three hours later to London again just to get a stamp, just for Guinness. Kim: That's insane. James: It was 22 hours of flying with a three hour stopover there just to get a stamp. Kim: Not only have you done that, but you've actually created ... you're the founder and the CEO of one of the fastest growing travel apps called Holiday Swap. It's active in over 100 countries, Phil. And look, if winning a Guinness world record isn't enough, he's also won the best new app award. Phil: Okay. Kim: So he's a high achiever, this chap of ours that we're chatting to. Tell us about Holiday Swap. James: Yeah. So I just recently checked with some of the guys and I was told, I was even shocked myself, we're told it's in 184 countries now, which is great for our kind of what we're trying to do. Phil: The app's almost been to as many countries as you. James: Almost, yeah. But thanks so much for the kind words, but I genuinely don't look at it in terms of that's a personal achievement. We kind of feel at Holiday Swap that this is for everyone to make travel more accessible. And I kept getting asked by a lot of people around the world when I traveled, particularly the younger demographic and millennials, they would say, "Hey, how did you manage to travel so much?" And kind of the common consensus was, "We'd love to travel more. But we can't afford it." And that's kind of a long-age running thing. You've got the conundrum between the money and the time. And the more money you make, the less time you have because you're working more. So we wanted to create something in a tool that would be able to take out as much of the cost of travel as we can. Unfortunately, I didn't have the money to go and buy a plane and start putting cheap plane tickets on it. So we thought the second largest ... actually slightly the largest cost is accommodation, which is 28% of what people spent on travel. So we thought people, most of us are lucky enough to have a bed to sleep in at night. And we thought with the sharing economy growing, why not use that to travel and have a bed to stay in around the world? Phil: "I've got a bed and it's available between x dates and it's a sharing sort of facilitator." Is that the way it worked? James: Yeah, exactly. It could be a bed, it could be a room, it could be a villa, it could be a huge house, a small house, it could be absolutely anything. Kim: Before we get to the reason of why you're about to hit the media, the podcast is on Sri Lanka. Obviously you've been. What was your experience? James: Sri Lanka's awesome. I know it's still obviously hugely popular, but I kept seeing it coming up everywhere at the start of this year. You know there always seem to be that destination each year that everyone focuses on. Two years ago it was Bali. Last year it was Iceland. And then at the start of this year, everyone was talking about Sri Lanka. And rightly so because it's so ... relatively I think it's quite untouched by tourism. More and more people are going there. But it's a fantastic country. The only thing that for me was always a little more difficult in Sri Lanka was it's a bit trickier to figure out your itinerary. But that's exciting in a way. There's not necessarily a top five or 10 places to see. A lot of it, I feel, is immersing yourself in what Sri Lanka is. A lot of the south coast is beautiful. I love Kandy and Galle. Not the biggest fan of Colombo. But most people fly to Colombo and use it as a stopping point and get out. But the southern coast and Weligama ... if you like surfing, Weligama and the bay around there is beautiful. James: And then yeah, you've got the complete contrast to the beaches in the south as you head kind of into the middle of the country. Sigiriya was an incredibly beautiful spot. People talk about Machu Picchu as one of the wonders. And Sigiriya again, which is very much the thing that kind of makes Sri Lanka beautiful and what it is is that it's on par. It's parallel with Machu Picchu. It's this completely flat jungle and then in the middle this huge rock comes out from it. And you can climb to the very top of it. And it's like a little fortress where the population used to live. You can see why. It was a great little castle up there because you can see people coming from all around. But I think it's a really good time to go now to Sri Lanka before everyone kind of discovers just how awesome it is. Kim: I'm about to get a little jittery because I have in front of me information which I'm unsure about how much I am to share. But there's about to be a massive global press piece surrounding you. So I'm going to have to throw it to you so I don't ruin anything or say the wrong thing. James: Yeah, there's a few different bits coming out, which is super exciting. The main one is an Air Miles giveaway, which is actually when I was on a flight to Sydney. I was trying to knock myself out for the flight so I'd had a few drinks. And I didn't knock myself out. Unfortunately after these few drinks I had a genius idea, which was just to basically give away all of my Air Miles. And I landed in Sydney and I was thinking, "What have I just done?" But it kind of comes around in a full circle too. The whole thing is to what we do with Holiday Swap. And we want to inspire travel. We want to make it more accessible, we want to make it cheaper. A few people turn around and say, "Why on Earth are you giving away all your Air Miles and not using them?" And it's about enough to fly around the world three times. So just seeing the response and the reaction from people who just got so excited to thinking about putting themselves in the mindset of where they could go and what they could see was exactly what I really wanted to achieve with that. James: We're doing a bunch of other exciting stuff as well, particularly through Holiday Swap. I'm giving away another pair of flights to someone. Anyone who kind of lets me know through Instagram. jamesasquithtravel is my Instagram. And yeah, just kind of hit me up whenever in comments. Or slide into the DMs if you wish. Everything will be seen. Phil: Everything you need to know about James and Holiday Swap will be in the show notes. Kim: I'm sure you've heard me say before at World Nomads we don't just talk the talk, we actually walk it. And Phil, you can't help but be inspired to travel when you're editing, writing, posting, filming or recording these awesome travel stories. Phil: I know. My wanderlust is increasing all the time. Kim: Well, you're going to Italy next year. Phil: I am. Kim: You're off shortly on a micro-adventure to far north Queensland. Phil: Yeah. Kim: This man, our social media savant, Isaac, recently went to Sri Lanka. Isaac: Thanks for having me. Or as they say in Sri Lanka [inaudible 00:37:51]. Phil: Oh he's pulled the language on us. Kim: How many phrases did you learn? Isaac: I learned how to say all the important things. Thank you, [inaudible 00:38:00]. You get around with English. The things I like to learn are sorry, thank you. Phil: Yeah. The polite bits. Kim: So what were your thoughts on Colombo because James, who was earlier in the podcast, wasn't a fan. Isaac: I didn't expect to like Colombo as much as I did. From I've read, I only booked a night. The city's chaotic, but there are little pockets of charm. And I wish we had more time to dive into those little pockets. Phil: Like what? How are they charming? Isaac: There's an iconic hotel called the Galle Face Hotel, which is right next to the Galle Face Green, which is an interesting area because what happens in the evenings when the weather's a bit cooler is lots of young people come out, they fly their kites. There's all these sort of eateries, sort of food stall type things. Kim: Beautiful. Isaac: So little things like that in Colombo that are really interesting as a traveler. Phil: This is like their Central Park, is it? This is like their Hampstead Heath to them? Isaac: Yeah, Central Park. By the beach, sun going down, that sort of balmy, tropical evening. Heaps of young people out. Lots of lovers. It's a popular sport for lots of lovers. Kim: And that's okay? Isaac: Yeah, it's all good on the Galle Face Green. Kim: Well. Tell us about the train ride. So one night in Colombo, which you regret ... you would have liked to have explored that a little further. So you took a train to Galle. Isaac: So sorry, from Colombo we took a train down to Galle. The iconic hotel in Colombo is called the Galle Face Hotel. Kim: Yeah. Isaac: The train trip ... I had a very different experience to my partner. Kim: The mother of your child. Isaac: The mother of my child. I'll run through the experience for you guys. So we got to the train station. There's not a lot of signage. Lots of people waiting for the train. The first attempt, the train pulled into the station. We jumped on because we were keen to get a seat because we were traveling with my daughter who is four years old. And just before the train leaves the station, I work out that we're on the wrong train. So grab bags, grab kid, hop off the train, wait for the next train. Take two- Kim: What was the sign that you were on the wrong train? Isaac: I asked someone, "Is this train going to Galle?" And he's like, "No, this is not going to Galle." Kim: Right. Isaac: And I was like, "Bec ..." because she was down at the end of the carriage and it's like, "Hop off. This is not the train." When the right train came along we were a bit slow. We didn't get a seat. So Bec sat on the floor with Ashley in the doorway. And I was standing next to our baggage because I was concerned for the safety of our baggage. Phil: Did I do that to you? Isaac: Yes. Phil: Sorry. Kim: Travel safety expert Phil. Isaac: I was aware. I was alert, not alarmed. Kim: Good man. Isaac: So Bec had an amazing experience. She watched the countryside go by. It's coastal. You pass little villages, there are people doing their thing. Scenes of daily life in Sri Lanka. And she had this amazing moment. And she thought about life and where she wanted to be, sort of setting five year goals. And I was there having a very different experience with the baggage. Like I've got my eye on you, mister. Kim: And what about your four year old on the train? Isaac: She was sitting with Bec, little Ashley. And I like to think she had a good time too. Kim: Speaking of your daughter, you said that there is a place that you would not take children to. Was this part of the safari? Isaac: The safari experience is not something I recommend with a small child. Kim: Can you explain that? I remember you saying that to us. Isaac: I think the attraction for us to bring Ashley to the natural habitat of these animals and to see elephants in the wild. That was the attraction. But the reality is it's very, very hot. These safaris go on for hours and hours. As it should be, there is no guarantee that you will see anything. So for a four year old, it can be difficult. We saw families getting off the trucks and kids crying. And parents about to strangle each other because dad wanted to see a rare sort of cheetah or leopard or whatever. We think the safari thing, if you have little kids ... yeah ... Phil: I'm sorry, but Sri Lanka and safari: I'd never put those two together. But clearly. Isaac: Sri Lanka, if I'm correct ... if I'm wrong you can edit this out, has- Phil: No, no. We leave it in. We leave that stuff in, mate. Isaac: I think it's home to the world's biggest mass migration of elephants that all sort of gather at this watering hole at this time of year. And it's a magnificent sight. Kim: I don't care if you're wrong. Sounds great. And Felix, earlier in the episode too, spoke about, Phil, when he was running or driving with someone, just wild elephants on the side of the road. Isaac: Yes. We saw a bit of that. So that's the other thing I wanted to say. For Ashley, we could be driving down the road somewhere and an elephant just sort of walks up to the side of the car. And that's quite different to being in a bumpy Jeep to see the same thing. Phil: Okay. The migration is called The Gathering. It's happened for centuries. Hundreds of elephants descend on the shores of an ancient reservoir in Sri Lanka's north central district. And I'm not going to pronounce that ... national park. Kim: No. Well, nor am I going to pronounce this festival that you went to, which is a great elephant segue. You said it was pretty spectacular but you had some concerns for the elephants. Isaac: Yeah. Look, visually it's unlike anything I've ever experienced. Kim: What's the name of it? Isaac: It's called [inaudible 00:44:00]. My apologies if I've said that wrong. Kim: Probably better than Phil doing it. Did you want to have a crack at it? Phil: No, no. Go on. Isaac: And it's a massive parade with traditional musicians and dancers. And you have these elephants and these amazing bejeweled costumes. But yeah, it's a bit difficult to see those elephants. Some of them didn't look entirely comfortable with the noise and the loud music and the crowds around them. So that for me was a bit difficult to process. Also a bit difficult to explain when you're traveling with a child, why that's okay and when that's not okay. Kim: You wrapped up your family trip in Negombo. Isaac: Negombo was an interesting place for us. It had a dark vibe, a dark energy. And I think it's to do with the fact that it has been known for child prostitution. That and the fact that there is a lot of Catholic imagery in the town kind of gave it a David Lynch sort of dark feel. Kim: The Catholic imagery that you're speaking of is a hangover from the Portuguese. Isaac: Yeah. So sort of remnants from early Portuguese settlers came to this little fishing town by the coast. Kim: And you're saying not only is it known for child prostitution, but they actually, Phil, have signs. Phil: Seriously? Warning of it? Isaac: Yeah. In some places, hotels have signs saying that they don't encourage and they don't support that sort of activity and will call it out. Kim: Yeah. So what would you say to families that want to travel to Sri Lanka? Isaac: From my personal experience, there are very few experiences in life that have been enhanced by the addition of a four year old. Sri Lanka was amazing. Kim: So it's a family-friendly country apart from this area? Isaac: Yes. Kim: Well, that brings us to the end of our episode featuring Sri Lanka. But the answer to your quiz question. Phil: The native plant that has created trade with Sri Lanka for centuries, dating back to about 2000 BC when this product was imported into Egypt. I'm talking about cinnamon. It's native to Sri Lanka. So of course, that whole spice trade and everything which went on during Egyptian times. During medieval times the Europeans had no idea where it came from because the people who traded it kept the destination secret because they wanted to monopolize the trade. So they made up all sorts of fantastic stories about it came from the nests of birds which flew to some strange island and collected it, things like that. So it was a mystery for centuries. But of course, it was the impetus for, as far as Western civilization goes, for all that sort of exploration throughout southeast Asia and the Dutch East Indies. Kim: Oh cool. I thought you were going to say marijuana. Because that's been around for- Phil: You can sprinkle that on your food as well. Kim: All right. Download the World Nomads podcast from iTunes or the Google podcast app. And you can contact us by emailing podcast.com. What is next, Phil? Phil: We are featuring another amazing nomad. But this time it's a couple who swapped living in an RV for sailing the world in a catamaran. Please take me with you! Kim: Yeah. See you then. Phil: Bye. Speaker 1: The World Nomads Podcast. Explore Your Boundaries.     </div> </div> </div>Getty Images/ Sylvain Bouzat 0

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/explore/southern-asia/sri-lanka/passport-and-plate-sri-lanka-tea-time-in-bandarawelaTravel to Bandarawela in Sri Lanka’s Hill Country with Lindsay Anderson, as she discovers one of Sri Lanka’s most iconic exports – tea.2017-06-23T10:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/explore/southern-asia/sri-lanka/passport-and-plate-sri-lanka-tea-time-in-bandarawelahttps://www.worldnomads.comSri Lankan tea is world-famous, and the stunning tea estates that sprawl across <a href="/explore/southern-asia/sri-lanka/exploring-haputale-and-sri-lankas-hill-country-by-train">Sri Lanka’s Hill Country</a> are a must-see. Lindsay Anderson enjoys a cuppa and a delicious Tamil lunch with a local family in Bandarawela. Later, Lindsay goes deeper into Sri Lankan culture, and finds a distinct religious harmony threaded through the land and its people - in spite of its tumultuous past.World Nomads 0

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/explore/southern-asia/sri-lanka/passport-and-plate-sri-lanka-fresh-fish-and-friendly-facesTravel to the famous Negombo Fish Market in Sri Lanka with World Nomads' Lindsay Anderson as she searches for fresh, local produce before cooking a delicious curry.2017-06-23T10:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/explore/southern-asia/sri-lanka/passport-and-plate-sri-lanka-fresh-fish-and-friendly-faceshttps://www.worldnomads.comLindsay picks up a bargain from one of the vendors at Negombo Fish Market before heading to Mirage Hotel Colombo, to create a delicious fish curry with Chef Lloyd. Later, Lindsay meets up with Chef Darshan, who runs Sri Lanka’s ever-popular Ministry of Crab, and gets stuck in to his amazing array of delicious giant shrimp and crab dishes.World Nomads 0

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/explore/southern-asia/sri-lanka/passport-and-plate-sri-lanka-spicy-curriesTravel with World Nomads’ Mahsa Fratantoni to the largely unknown area of Jaffna, in northern Sri Lanka, where she connects with a local family over spicy curries.2017-06-23T10:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/explore/southern-asia/sri-lanka/passport-and-plate-sri-lanka-spicy-currieshttps://www.worldnomads.comIn Jaffna, the most northern part of Sri Lanka, the region has a reputation for its fiery dishes. Only recently opened up to tourism, the region had been ravaged for years by the civil war. Mahsa explores the newly opened region, and connects with a local family over spicy curries, discovering the family’s own troubles experienced during the civil war.World Nomads 0

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/explore/southern-asia/sri-lanka/passport-and-plate-sri-lanka-milk-rice-magicTravel to Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka, with World Nomads’ Mahsa Fratantoni where she discovers a tasty dish based around coconut milk rice.2017-06-22T10:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/explore/southern-asia/sri-lanka/passport-and-plate-sri-lanka-milk-rice-magichttps://www.worldnomads.comThrough some warm connections with local cooks, Masha meets a local woman who welcomes her into her home, where they overcome the language barrier and prepare a milk rice dish together. Here, Mahsa discovers that coconut is a fundamental ingredient not only to cooking, but also to Sri Lankan culture as it symbolises prosperity and good health.World Nomads 0

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/explore/southern-asia/sri-lanka/passport-and-plate-sri-lanka-rustic-roti-fresh-from-the-landIn the central north region of Sri Lanka, just outside the city of Dambulla, World Nomads’ Mahsa Fratantoni visits a Chennai farm.2017-06-22T10:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/explore/southern-asia/sri-lanka/passport-and-plate-sri-lanka-rustic-roti-fresh-from-the-landhttps://www.worldnomads.comChennai farming is a primitive style that has been passed down from generation to generation, and still practiced in Sri Lanka today. Join Mahsa as the locals of rural Sri Lanka show her traditional cooking methods, and treat her to traditional Chennai cooking. She samples some rustic roti, and a simple, yet delicious fish dish, made with locally produced ingredients.World Nomads 0

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/explore/southern-asia/sri-lanka/passport-and-plate-sri-lanka-off-the-beaten-pathIn Sri Lanka, World Nomads’ Suresh Doss he discovers a delicious buffalo milk curd, and the traditional process used to create the iconic dish.2017-06-22T10:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/explore/southern-asia/sri-lanka/passport-and-plate-sri-lanka-off-the-beaten-pathhttps://www.worldnomads.comSome of the best experiences happen off the beaten path, because that’s where you’ll experience unique things about a place, and take away valuable memories.World Nomads 0

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/explore/southern-asia/sri-lanka/passport-and-plate-sri-lanka-catch-of-the-dayJoin World Nomads’ Suresh Doss as he travels to Sri Lanka in search of the country’s most delicious food.2017-06-22T10:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/explore/southern-asia/sri-lanka/passport-and-plate-sri-lanka-catch-of-the-dayhttps://www.worldnomads.comLeaving bustling Colombo, Suresh visits smaller towns, where the locals are excited to welcome travelers into their homes. Sri Lankans love their seafood, especially in the south, and along the coast there are plenty of busy fish markets, each with dozens of hard-working fishermen. To find the freshest crabs, Suresh works with the locals, and then learns how to make an exquisite crab curry.World Nomads 0

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/explore/southern-asia/sri-lanka/passport-and-plate-sri-lanka-fish-head-curryJoin World Nomads’ Suresh Doss as he returns home to Sri Lanka for the first time in decades, and rediscovers the local food, culture, and people.2017-06-22T10:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/explore/southern-asia/sri-lanka/passport-and-plate-sri-lanka-fish-head-curryhttps://www.worldnomads.comLocated in the arts district of Colombo, Upali’s is a traditional Sri Lankan restaurant, owned by David Cruz. To research for Upali’s menu, David ate his way through the country, from the fiery, spicy seafood curries in the north, to the south where the spices are grown.World Nomads 0

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/explore/southern-asia/sri-lanka/driving-in-sri-lanka-if-you-dareTraffic in Sri Lanka can be described as organized chaos. Find out how to stay safe while behind the wheel in Sri Lanka.2015-06-10T10:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/explore/southern-asia/sri-lanka/driving-in-sri-lanka-if-you-darehttps://www.worldnomads.comAfter driving through the busy streets of <a href="/travel-safety/africa/kenya/the-realities-of-kenya-crime">Kenya</a>, I thought I was brave. And then I drove through Colombo... For those intrepid souls who want to give it a go, here's a survival guide to driving in Sri Lanka. The first thing to remember: follow the rules. The problem is, there aren't any. Cars, mopeds and rickshaw are all vying for space so getting around isn't easy. Traffic in Sri Lanka is congested. Narrow two-lane highways, overloaded trucks, poorly driven buses and a variety of vehicles on the road, ranging from ox carts and bicycles to new four-wheel-drive vehicles, make driving dangerous. <h2>Road conditions in Sri Lanka</h2> <ul> <li>Erratic driving is common and as a result, road accidents are frequent.</li> <li>Pedestrians and animals often appear in the road without warning.</li> <li>Vehicles do not stop at pedestrian crossings.</li> <li>Be particularly careful when overtaking and when overtaking vehicles are coming towards you.</li> <li>If you drive, make sure you are comprehensively insured.</li> <li>Driving at night outside Colombo and driving by motorbike are particularly hazardous.</li> <li>Unexpected road blocks and one-way streets are common and may not be clearly marked - so watch your step.</li> <li>Buses are notorious for driving fast and rarely giving way. They are often poorly maintained. A number of serious bus accidents have been reported over recent years.</li> </ul> <h2>Hints for driving in Sri Lanka</h2> <ul> <li>The roads are like chess boards, move where you can. Don't follow the normal rules of left and right.</li> <li>Simply trust your instincts, ascertain the direction, and proceed. Adherence to road rules leads to much misery and occasional fatality. Most drivers don't drive, but just aim their vehicles in the generally intended direction.</li> <li>Beware pedestrian crossings - Don't stop! You may do so only if you enjoy being bumped in the back. Pedestrians have been strictly instructed to cross only when traffic is moving slowly or has come to a dead stop because some minister is in town.</li> <li>Blowing your horn is not a sign of protest as in some countries. Sri Lankans "toot" to express an array of emotions - most of the time it's not used as a way of asking pedestrians to get out of the way.</li> <li>Stay clear of locals buses, just like Kenya's Matatus, these packed vehicles are steel coffins. They move at speed and drivers care little for people in front. Profit over people is their motto.</li> <li>The bigger buses are no better and travellers should avoid them, unless you want a white-knuckle experience.</li> </ul> Most bus passengers are given free passes and during rush hours, there is absolute mayhem. There are passengers hanging off other passengers, who in turn hang off the railings and the overloaded bus leans dangerously, defying laws of gravity. And while we are describing daytime driving in downtown Colombo, life at night can be even more exciting. Night-time driving in Sri Lanka is like Russian Roulette. Drunk drivers are rampant and very dangerous, so stick to the path and walk. You always get a better feel of the town using your feet. But if, after all this, you still want to drive in Sri Lanka, have your lessons between 8 pm and 11 am - when the police have gone home and the locals can enjoy being crazy together. But on the flipside, experiencing traffic in a developing nation is one of the true joys for a traveler. Just buckle up, hold on and keep a blindfold handy.iStock/Asergieiev 0468154734 iStock Colombo, Sri Lanka - December 7, 2011: Common Sri Lankian crowded street with different transport and pedestrians on Dec 7, 2011 in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/explore/southern-asia/sri-lanka/sri-lanka-customs-and-cultureBefore you dive head-first into Sri Lankan culture, here are our top tips to avoid embarrassing yourself or disrespecting local culture and customs.2019-11-29T11:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/explore/southern-asia/sri-lanka/sri-lanka-customs-and-culturehttps://www.worldnomads.comIn Sri Lanka, cultural traditions and customs are held in high regard. The culture has long been influenced by Theravada Buddhism, and the religion is particularly strong in the southern and central regions of the country. Before you go, be in the know with these handy etiquette tips. <ul> <li><a href="#hand-use-in-sri-lanka">Using your hands in Sri Lanka</a></li> <li><a href="#respecting-buddhist-culture-in-sri-lanka">Respecting Buddhist culture in Sri Lanka</a></li> <li><a href="#public-photography-etiquette-in-sri-lanka">Public photography etiquette in Sri Lanka</a></li> <li><a href="#other-social-etiquette-to-consider-in-sri-lanka">Social etiquette tps in Sri Lanka</a></li> </ul> <h2 id="hand-use-in-sri-lanka">Using your hands in Sri Lanka</h2> Like many people in the world, Sri Lankans don't use cutlery, <g class="gr_ gr_86 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="86" data-gr-id="86">instead</g> eating with the fingertips on their right hand. For travelers who don't want to do the same, most restaurants will offer cutlery if you ask politely. But don't cause a fuss – join in the fun! It's polite to use your right hand when shaking hands or handing money and small objects to someone else. Of course, you can use both hands for something large and heavy. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/Explore/sri-lanka/tea-and-snacks-sri-lanka-gettyimages-melinda-chan.jpg" /> <figcaption>Tea and snacks served in Sri Lanka. Photo credit: Getty Images/Melinda Chan</figcaption></figure> <h2 id="respecting-buddhist-culture-in-sri-lanka">Respecting Buddhist culture in Sri Lanka</h2> Buddhism is the main faith in Sri Lanka, and more than 70% of the population is Buddhist. The remaining population follow Hinduism, Islam or Christianity. Never touch or pat the top of the head of a Buddhist monk, including young children at temples. As religious leaders of the community, they are to be respected. Do not turn your back to (or be alongside) a statue of Buddha that is nearby. If in doubt, look at the behavior of the locals around you. This includes posing for photos; it's okay to take a photo of a statue, but anyone in the photo should be facing Buddha, not standing beside or with their back to the statue. Don't wear any clothing that features Buddha or any other deity. It is considered disrespectful and insensitive, and could incur the wrath of authorities. If you have a tattoo of the Buddha, keep it covered. Always be polite to monks. Offer them a seat if you're on a crowded bus (unless you're elderly or disabled). But don't shake hands with monks, especially if you are a woman. Instead, you can give the traditional greeting (placing your hands together in a prayer-like gesture and bowing slightly). If you're entering a temple, cover your shoulders and legs, and remove footwear and headwear before heading inside. You should also always remove your shoes before entering someone's home.  <h2 id="public-photography-etiquette-in-sri-lanka">Public photography etiquette in Sri Lanka</h2> The vibrant colors and culture of Sri Lanka make it a photographer's paradise. However, there are a few things to consider <a href="/create/learn/photography/portrait-photography-etiquette">before getting too snap happy</a>. Depending on where you plan to photograph, some sites require a permit which covers photography, filming, parking and entrance fee. These sites are generally only accessible between 6am and 10am. <a href="/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/participation/respectful-travel">Some temples prohibit photography</a>. Avoid taking photos inside shopping malls and inside tea factories (outside is okay). Be especially careful in Fort, Colombo (except when you're on the beach). If local soldiers are standing guard, put your camera away. Don't rely on signs alone, as sometimes they are old or misleading. For example, one end of a bridge may have a "No Photography" sign, but not the other. There have been instances where foreign nationals have been detained by the police after taking photographs of buildings or vehicles used by VIPs. These include numerous sites in central Colombo. Use of video and/or photography is prohibited near military bases and government buildings. You might encounter snake charmers in Colombo, but for the welfare of the animals, never pay for photographs, as there is a worldwide movement to ban this cruel, exploitative practice (often the fangs are removed, and when the snake is finally released it cannot feed itself). <h2 id="other-social-etiquette-to-consider-in-sri-lanka">Social etiquette tips in Sri Lanka</h2> Public displays of affection (PDA), such as kissing and/or hugging, may be frowned upon. In Sri Lanka, PDA is considered to be private behavior. Holding hands and affection between parents and their children are allowed. Public nudity is illegal in Sri Lanka. So, if you were hoping to skinny dip and sunbathe nude or topless, stick to the private beach resorts which allow it (but ask first to avoid embarrassment). LGBTQ travelers should be aware that same-sex relations are still illegal in Sri Lanka.  Security checkpoints are common. You must carry a form of official photographic identification on you at all times, <a href="/travel-safety/southern-asia/sri-lanka/crime-sri-lanka-style">but keep them safe from potential pickpockets</a>. Our best advice? Behave as the locals do, learning from them is the best way to avoid offending someone, and potentially getting into trouble. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/Explore/sri-lanka/tea-plantation-uva-province-sri-lanka-gettyimges-santiago-urquijo.jpg" /> <figcaption>A tea plantation in Uva Province, Sri Lanka. Photo credit: Getty Images/Santiago Urquijo</figcaption></figure>Getty Images/Andrey Danilovich 0 Stilt fishermen in Sri Lanka.