A gap year in Sri Lanka

Gap years in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka? It’s not an obvious or an easy choice for your Gap Year. But your courage won’t go unrewarded. Okay, there are the obvious attractions: white sands, tea plantations, elephant rides through the flora-rich rainforest. But beneath the glamorous surface are political tensions and a daily struggle for survival. The 2004 tsunami wrought terrible damage on the country, claiming around 40,000 lives, and communities are still being rebuilt. As a result, the whole country is in need of volunteers for various projects, not to mention the tourist dollar.

But caution is key. Before you plan an itinerary, check the Foreign Office’s latest updates – since Rajapaske was elected president in 2005 the government has been increasingly clashing with the Tamil Tigers. The result is an escalation in friction and attacks, particularly in the cities. (You can read about the background of this long-running dispute in ‘Funny Boy’ by Shyam Selvadurai, or ‘Running in the Family’ by Michael Ondaatje.)

Getting Around
Sri Lanka’s rail routes are dense and convenient: built during British rule to transport rubber and coconut, today they’re popular with backpackers on a budget. There are some particularly scenic moments on the Colombo-Badulla line; you can reach most towns and cities via rail, which is hugely preferable to car. Book your train tickets when you arrive at the station, choosing first or second class. Sri Lankan roads can come as a shock to polite British drivers, so independent driving is not recommended, although you can hire a driver if you have the courage and the cash. Buses – of which there are hundreds – are often privately owned, so you won’t know the fare until you get on board. If catching one, make sure it’s under the Central Transport Board.

Places of interest
Sri Lanka is a multi-faceted jewel, boasting 1,600km of white coast, spice and tea plantations, and vibrant towns and cities. Predominantly Buddhist, the country is sprinkled with jaw-dropping temples and, of course, its fair share of natural wonders.

Colombo
Prepare your ears and your wallet for a trip to Colombo – maddeningly noisy, bright and packed with shopping opportunities, it will probably be your first stop. Sri Lanka’s commercial and political capital sits on the seafront, its interior a contrast of bombed ruins and graceful manor homes. Here you’ll find the national Art Gallery, Museum, the Zoo, and the President’s residence. But you can also shop for jewels at the Pettah bazaar, familiarise yourself with street etiquette, and – when you’re worn out – take the train on a meandering journey past paddy fields and grazing buffalo to the country’s party centre – Hikkaduwa. .

Hikkaduwa and the beach resorts
Cocktails and beach raves are the order of the day at Hikkaduwa, where usually-conservative Sri Lankans head for a weekend off. For great snorkelling, skip it in favour of Mirissa; for a spot of tourist-friendly recuperation, head to Negombo. .

Kandy and the Interior
Venture inwards from the coast and discover Sri Lanka’s rural heart. Deep in the country you can trek with elephants, visit tea plantations, climb Adam’s Peak and dangle your feet off the end of the world. Start with Kandy, the ‘Royal City’, which is also home to the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha, destination of an annual Buddhist pilgrimage. From here, you’ll be able to climb mountains, walk with tigers, and see all that Sri Lanka has to offer. .