Heavenly sandy beaches, greenery everywhere you look, amazing Buddhist temples and sweet and smiling locals…
All of this and much more is Sri Lanka or as locals call it – the pearl of the Indian Ocean.
If you are in need of peaceful surroundings, pure nature and some amazing and unique experiences, I guarantee you that Sri Lanka is a good choice.
Sri Lanka is also full of spirituality and sacred sites are everywhere (check out my post about the Sacred Sites of Sri Lanka).
This is my personal photo diary of this mesmerizing country, which stole my heart.
Check the photos below and I am sure you will add Sri Lanka to your travel bucket list. 🙂
Ruins of the ancient city of Anuradhapura in the Northern part of Sri LankaAnuradhapura ruinsExploring the ruins of AnuradhapuraAbayagiriya stupa – stupa is a Buddhist monument which represents Buddha and steps towards enlightenmentJethawanaramaya stupa – once the tallest stupa in the worldBodhi Tree Temple – the temple is built around the tree which grew out of a small branch of the holy tree under which Buddha is supposed to have reached the enlightenment.A Buddhist Monk meditating in the Bodhi Tree TempleThe beautiful offerings in the Buddhist templesAn offering table full of offerings in the Bodhi Tree TempleLocals during a ritual on their way to Ruwanvelisaya stupaRuwanvelisaya stupa in the Anuradhapura area
One of many altars dedicated to BuddhaIn Sri Lanka monkeys are everywhere.. 🙂Oh, hello! 🙂
Wilpattu National Park Safari – a really beautiful and unique experience
Peacock crossing the road in WilpattuSay cheese! 😀
A small Buddha shrine in MihintaleMihintale – a place where Buddhism started in Sri Lanka
Mihintale stupa as seen from a tall hill above itIt was a foggy and mysterious morning in Mihintale…Contemplation…Later the sun came out and it was just magical…
A huge Buddha statue stands above the Mihintale stupaThis magical view… I could stare at it forever..Habarana – such a beautiful place bursting with natureSigiriya – also known as Lion’s rock is a huge rock fortress. Sri Lankan king Kasyapa built his palace on the top of this rock around 1500 years agoThe view from the top of Sigiriya fortress
Sigiriya rock in the sunset lightLotus flower is a symbol of BuddhismCave temple of Dambulla
Frescoes of Buddha on the cave’s ceiling
The modern entrance to the Dambulla Cave temples areaBotanical Garden in KandyLoving nature…Royal Botanical Garden in Kandy used to be the garden of the Sri Lankan kings. It holds more than 4000 species of plants…In awe of the beauty of these trees…
Fruit is everywhere…
Sri Lankan food is really delicious – here I had rice, sweet potatoes, dhal (lentils) and some sort of chips. But it is the spice mix which makes the taste so unique.Outside the Holy Tooth Relic Temple in KandyA picture representing how Buddha’s tooth relic was brought to the temple in KandyThe Kandy LakeA magical train ride from Kandy to HattonTea plantations are everywhere in this region…Sri Pada or Adam’s Peak – a holy place for all religions, where people do their pilgrimageOn my way to the top of Sri PadaKind and smiling locals 🙂There are more than 5800 steps leading to the top of Adam’s Peak…Locals carry a white thread all the way to the top and it looks like a spider’s net…Everyone who reaches the top rings this bell for good luck and fortune…Pure magic…Cotton candy clouds…Unawatuna beach… this is paradise…
Traditional fishermen of Sri Lanka
Sunset in Galle in the South of Sri LankaThe artificial lake of Maskeliya region in central Sri LankaWomen picking the tea. They are called tea pluckers and mostly this work is done by the Tamil women.Such a beautiful smile 🙂
A little Sri Lankan school girlKitulgala – this place left me speechless…Kelani river on which ‘The Bridge On the River Kwai’ movie was filmedStarry night in KitulgalaStargazing is one of my favourite things to do. And doing it in the middle of the jungle, hearing only the birds, frogs and the sound of the river was just an unearthly experience for me. I will never forget it…Sunrise in the jungle… 🌴
Stillness…Crossing the Kelani river by a float
I wanna live here!🌴🙂
Madu River SafariMadu river
Wild mangrove trees growing in the Madu river
Before the sunrise…Sunrise in Unawatuna
Unawatuna beach in the sunrise lightA big Buddha statue and a small stupa in the distanceHaving a swim in the sunrise morning light…UnawatunaUnawatuna beachSunset in Unawatuna
Dinner on the beach…Another magical sunrise…Streets of UnawatunaKing coconuts – native to Sri Lanka
Such beautiful flower settings are everywhere in Sri LankaThe lighthouse of GalleGalle defensive wall and fortress built by the Dutch in the 17th century
I hope you liked my photos and that you got some inspiration for your next travel destination.
Have you already visited Sri Lanka or do you want to? If you did, what are your favourite places or memories of this country?
Let me know your thoughts and experiences in the comments down below.
Thank you for tuning in and happy travels! 🙂
2 Replies to “Sri Lanka – An Ultimate Photo Diary”
I visited Sri Lanka 3 years ago.. as you said, people there are too friendly, nature is stunning and for sure everyone can find his own peace there.
Beautiful photo collection ! Keep doing it and save future travels 🙂
Hvala Anejka! 🙂 🙂