Five Things to Do in Colombo – Why Cruise to Colombo? Sri Lanka used to be an isolated island after being ravaged by the 2004 tsunami and prolonged civil war. But with the post-tsunami financial aids by foreign bodies, the whole island is now accessible and Columbia ports are the entry point for all tourists as well as businessmen. Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka has a mixture of past and present. From historical museums, churches, fine restaurants, cheap shopping destinations to man-made harbor for exporting tea, spices, and rubber, that makes Colombo worth exploring for tourists. The history of Colombo began when Muslim traders settled there, followed by Portuguese, Dutch and the British in the 19 th century, developing the local economy and expanding the city. Five Reasons to Choose Colombo Cruises If you are planning to sail with Colombo cruises, here are five must-do things while in Colombo: 1. Visit the Gangaramaya Temple This 120-year old Gangaramaya Temple is not just a temple, but also a learning and vocational training center. It is located in bustling inner-city Colombo surrounded by the beautiful Beria Lake that makes it a huge tourist attraction. The temple complex also accommodates a library, a museum an extraordinary array of gifts presented by devotees. You will also get to see numerous photo-shoot options, monks wearing pure orange clothes, Buddha statues and herds of toothy elephants. This stunning Gangaramaya temple is open to all, regardless of religion and nationality with a nominal entry fees for adults only. 2. Eat Kottu Rotti If you are in Colombo and haven’t tried Kottu Rotti, your trip is incomplete. Kottu Rotti is Colombo’s popular fast food. It is sweet, spicy and vegetarian dish made of finely chopped flatbread cooked on a hot skillet. If you are a non-vegetarian, you can cook it with egg or meat and if you are vegetarian, cook it with the veggies of your choice. The locals of Colombo city eat a plateful of Kottu Rotti every night after drinking. This is basically a fusion of Muslim and Tamil cuisines; and is also known as ‘chopped roti’ in Tamil language. 3. Kick Back in Negombo The word Negombo is derived from the word meegamuwa which means a village of honey. But it was cinnamon that attracted foreign trades, like Dutch and Portuguese to set up ports here. Today, this place is known as a modest beach town with pocket-friendly restaurants and hotels. Negombo is just an hour’s drive away from north of Colombo. If you are in Negombo, don’t miss its Technicolor sunset. 4. Take In Some History Visit the National Museum of Colombo, which is the largest museum in Sri Lanka. It was established in 1877 by Sir William Henry Gregory, the British Governor of Sri Lanka at that time. It is a two-storied building with well-manicured lawn having tall banyan trees. In the lobby, visitors are greeted by a serene statue of Lord Buddha in
meditation pose. This is said to be one of the most well-preserved statues found on the island and is a masterpiece. You will also see a wide collection of rare palm-leaf manuscripts in the museum. 5. Try Unique Tea Flavors You will find tea with a wide range flavors from banana to brandy taste. You must not miss your favorite flavors while in Colombo. Depending on the flavor, teas are named differently, like Halpe tea, Ceylon tea, etc. So, if you are planning for Colombo cruises, don’t miss these things at any cost.
Summary: Are you planning for Colombo Cruises? If yes and want to leverage your trip fully, read here the list of five top things to do while you are in Colombo.