D Traveller

Part II -- Sri Lanka trip (super express trip!!)
Gyan for the Geeks!!

2. Facts

-- Word serendipity comes from the ancient name of Sri Lanka,long before Ceylon,Serendib,given by Arab travellers.
Serendib --The name was recorded in use at least as early as ad 361 and for a time gained considerable currency in the West. It is best known to speakers of English through the word serendipity, invented in the 18th century by the English man of letters Horace Walpole on the inspiration of a Persian fairy tale, “The Three Princes of Serendip,” whose heroes often made discoveries by chance. -- Courtsey -Encyclopedia Britanica.

-- Lanka is very green!

-- It has amazing coastline with white sand and clear waters.

-- There are 5 types of Sea Turtles in Indian Ocean.

-- All of them have diferent hatching period. Varying from 30-48 days.

-- In the famous turtle hatcheries of Kosgode male turtles are released in the ocean after 7 days of their hatching.While the female turtles are kept for 7 years on an average before they are released in the ocean.

-- Albino turtles are as rare as 1 in 1000. Albino turtles have 40% shorter life span then average turtles.

-- Most places in Sri Lanka could be reached by bus in 7Hrs from Colombo.

-- Lank's National bird is Jungle Fowl.

--Lanka's currency conversion rate for Indian Rs is 2.5 but brokers wont give above 2.2. Damn brokers!!

-- Yala ( read it as Ya aal) National park is spread across 35,000 hectres and is surrounded by sea on east . It is famous for Elephants and Leopards.

-- In Colombo you will find armed guards every hundred meters or so. Every 3rd vehicle is stopped for identification.

-- Main sources of income are Tourism,Gem stones,Tea.

-- You can find all sorts of cars in Lanka,roads are flooded with them.You name it you have it -- Mistibushi,Volswagon,Tata,Nissan,Toyota,Mercto name a few. The point here is -- they are in big numbers.

-- Best way to travel ( according to me) in Lanka is Tuk Tuk's or Bus. Tuk Tuk's are bit expensive but they are more fun.

-- Bargain works in Lanka as well.

-- Indians are always treated with lot of enthusiasm and respect.

-- Lankans some times go out of thier way to help you.

-- Sample: 3 kids, 2 of them 18years of age and 1 of them 23 years of age.

Education : 12th + A level ( read it as Advanced level, no technical education)

Profession: Sales executive in Airlines ( supposedly the most lucrative job)

Salary : Varies from 8000 -12000/month in Sri Lankan Rs.