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Sri Lanka
Colombo
Situated south west of the island, Colombo is the political,
economic and cultural capital of Sri Lanka. With a population
of over a million people, Colombo boasts a long coastal strip
extending 8 miles, the best selection of restaurants, good
shops and a bustling nightlife.
Galle Face Green
This is a popular spot that's often dotted with joggers, kite
flyers and strollers and on weekend's food vendor's gather
to feed the hordes. Facing each other at opposite ends of
the 'green' are the delightful old Galle Face Hotel and the
Ceylon intercontinental skyscraper.
Arugam Bay
The main areas where Tamil trouble has existed are on the
north and east coast as far south as Arugam Bay. There hasn't
been fighting here since 1990 when all the surfers had to
evacuate the beach. Tourist boards have advised against coming
here, but Arugam Bay still attracts a few travellers, mostly
hard core surfers who come from all over the world.
The Maldives
Male
Small, quaint, and densely settled, Malé is clean and
tidy, with mosques, markets, a maze of small streets and a
certain charm all on its own. While it sometimes gives the
impression of a sleepy country town, there is new building
work everywhere, and the place feels like it will soon burst
at the seams. Food and accommodation are inexpensive, but
nightlife is confined to teahouses and a few western style
restaurants. A couple of cinemas show Hindi epics and Hollywood
blockbusters.
Seenu (Addu Atoll)
his is the 'second city' of the Maldives, and the resort here
is the best base from which to visit traditional Maldivian
island communities.
Resorts
A vast majority of visitors come to the Maldives on package
tours, staying at one of the 70-plus resort islands. Most
resorts are in the three atolls closest to the capital - North
Malé Atoll, South Malé Atoll and Ari
Atoll. There are a few other resorts on nearby atolls,
and these might be further developed in the future. Judging
by the brochures, all the resorts are beautiful and are blessed
with white sand, blue sea and swaying palm trees, and they
all promise great diving. But be careful, as they differ considerably
in their comfort, cuisine, clientele, character and their
suitability for various excursions and activities.
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