Serendib Travel Diaries and reasons you should take this trip

" you don't reach Serendib by plotting a course for it. You have to set out in good faith for elsewhere and lose your bearings ... serendipitously." (John Barth, The Last Voyage of  Somebody the Sailor)
English author Horace Walpole for coined the word serendipity on an old name for Sri Lanka, Serendip

Everytime you travel a land beckons you.No travels are random .. every time you travel it is that pact your soul has with that land that you are just honoring.
Not knowing why i just packed my bags in mere 2 hours after a crazy week at work And just headed to the airport. This was the first time I went with no  research on the place..without knowing what the itinerary was nor having any expectations of the place or the trip other than ofcourse meeting and spending time with my family based in on other side of the world .
I was may be just looking for a break. This year had started on a not very good note health wise. And on top of it I was overworked. Not to forget the times of anxiety and sleepless nights I faced. However I was very thankful for that as in my worst days where everything around me collapsed I found new teachers ,rediscovered old teachers and went on further step in my spiritual Journey which had begun in 2012 in Bali which now reached Sri Lanka and I often saw lot of similarities between both places.

The first 2 days were spent in just sleeping.Almost like switching off my over worn out batteries in my posh hotel in Colombo. But then I saw some amazing places and enjoyed more than expected .If you are planning to go , here are the reasons why you should
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  1. The Location is very close to India. The flight is only 2 and half hours from Mumbai. Almost same time as you travel to Pune by Road (Or even Thane / Borivali by Road in peak  traffic hours during monsoons)
  2. Same time zone. No jet lag .No time zone issues . Just like Indias little sister
  3. The visa is quick and online and the immigration is easy and hassle free
  4. The Currency is cheaper . Almost half of Indian currency. So you can shop well.
  5. The people are warm really kind and simple.The country is considerably safe.
  6. The food is yummy. Almost like the extended version of South Indian appam and sambhar. If you are a seafood fan you ll love the fish its very fresh. I tried the amazing local dishes at almost every place I stopped
  7. The beaches are beautiful. I loved Bentota. Its beautiful waters of the  Indian ocean can give you healing energy instantly 
  8. The lush green Tropical forests are beyond beautiful. When I stayed in Kandy amidst the beautiful tropical forest ,the scenery was awesome. If you love tropical forests . This is a place to go
  9. The Tea estates are pictursque. I thoughly enjoyed the everything about the Tea fields. Be it the drive to there through tiny waterfalls in the hills , the visit to Blue Field tea factory at Ramboda near Nuwara Eliya or Sipping tea there. No wonder the English stayed there and made it their little England Image may contain: tree, plant, sky, mountain, outdoor and nature
  10. Sigriya Rock is something you shouldn’t miss. The Climb is 1200 steps-ascent is up an extremely steep, extremely narrow staircase. but the place is beautiful. Its super windy on the top but the rock rocks. Its an experience of lifetime. The view from top is amazing 
  11. If you are fond of History and Buddha statues and caves -there are many places you can go to. Be it the Gangaramaya temple of Colombo, Tooth Relic temple in Kandy or visiting Dambulla cave temples is a must .Infact there are Buddhas at every nook and corner and more Buddha Statures than any other country.
  12. If you love exploring caves - Dambulla temple is a must.The ancient painings made from natural tree colours is simply stupefying
  13. Sri Lanka is known to host some great precious and semi precious stones.We could see everything from the precious Sapphire ( The island country's native stone) Emerald, Yellow Sapphire to the semi precious Lapis Lazuli, Moonstone,Amethyst , Moonstone and much more
  14. The Elepahants and Pinnewala in the beautiful river with forests in background was one of teh most beautiful sights.I have never seen such beautiful natural habitat for the mighty animal ever
The trip was much more fabulous than expected and I carried my beautiful memories back home.Thank you Sri Lanka for such beautiful hospitality and love.. Beautiful landscapes ,Warm people.. Green Forests..Serene ocean and beautiful tea hills 
From Colombo To Kandy ..Sigriya to Bentota ..Dambula to Pinnawela to Nuwara Eliya loved every bit of it
Was difficult to say a good bye to this beautiful land. However did
“Once you have travelled, the voyage never ends, but is played out over and over again in the quietest chambers. The mind can never break off from the journey”
- Pat Conroy



Ashwini Chube is a Corporate motivational speaker- trainer , wellness coach , a Zumba Instructor and founder of Unicorn Insight Trainings which is a part of Unicorn Group.



Log on www.unicorninsight.com for more about Trainings with them


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