Feeling for Sri Lanka

Three years ago, we agreed with a good friend to tick Sri Lanka off our bucket list and make this the most awaited trip. Planning was my job, being a small country, having some native friends, and of course the many reviews on the internet, my job was easy.
I chose a few days in the mountains, some days at the beach and a couple of days in the city. We started a trip on very hilly roads taking us to Kandy, up on a mountain top, the view in the hotel reception was splendid. It was so beautiful and relaxing, that while others prepared to go sightseeing, I preferred to stay and enjoy the view while sipping on a cup of Sri Lankan tea.

Yes, it is also all about the tea. Since childhood, we knew that tea came from Ceylon, that has now changed name to Sri Lanka. Here I was not interested in visiting temples and National parks, coming to the land of tea, I needed to visit tea plantations and processing factories.

When we left Kandy on our way to the beach front, we made stopovers at tea factories, and though I have seen one or two before, again, this had all together, another taste. The factory shop was full of tourists from all nationalities, mainly Arabs who had escaped the hot season of their land and found refuge in this green place. We then proceeded to the spice gardens, another heaven to be in.
One of the items I came across while researching about Sri Lanka, concerned its recent past turmoil, mainly ethnic clashes that kept the country busy in a civil war for decades. Fortunately, that came to an end, the nation started building and tourism doors opened, and it stared thriving again.

So, I was shocked and saddened by the latest explosions and attacks that happened during Easter celebrations, leaving scores dead and injured. So many were devastated and speechless after this gruesome act. We also had stayed in one of the hotels where the attacks took place and I could barely imagine what would have happened if we were there too.
For now, I want to remember the Sri Lankan hospitality, the beautiful country that I visited and pray that peace returns, we do not need more pain to an already ailing humanity.

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