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SRI LANKA royal ruins dating back 2000 years. Some best known sites include the Sacred Bo- Tree grown from a sapling of the tree under which Buddha achieved enlightenment; the Thuparamaya Dagoba, built in the third century BC and believed to contain the right collarbone of Buddha; Ruvan, the oldest historically documented tree in the world; and the seven storey Lovamahapaya, also known as the Brazen Place. The ancient city of Polonnaruwa is southeast of Anuradhapura while the amazing Sigiriya Rock Fortress is the site of a sixth century fortified palace. Built by an obsessed monarch in the fifth century, Sigiriya, or Lion Rock, is an astonishing feat of engineering and construction. The most striking portion of Sigiriya, a terracotta and grey core of rock set in the cultural heart of Sri Lanka, rises a sheer 200 metres above a forested plain, its flattened summit sloping gently. A series of moats, ramparts and water gardens— remnants of an ancient city—spread out 158 www.paradisesonline.com on two sides of the rock, with the remains of a pair of giant stone lion's paws still guarding the staircase that leads to the summit, once occupied by a royal palace The sacred tooth relic of the Buddha is preserved here at the Temple of the Tooth. Visit Kandy, which is 116 kilometres from Colombo and built around a peaceful lake that is surrounded by picturesque hills. Enroute to Kandy, and about 90 kilometres from Colombo visit the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, home to more than 40 elephants including adorable baby elephants that you can bathe and feed (with gigantic milk bottles!). Bathing time is 10am and 2pm, with feeding time an hour before. Unawatuna Beach is a lovely semi-circular stretch of golden sands bordered with coconut palm trees located four kilometres southward around the coast of Galle. This is paradise for those who just want to enjoy to the silence of the sea and dive deep into the blue waters of the ocean. There is a reef protecting the beach making it perfectly safe for bathing. Unawatuna Beach was voted as one of the "Top 10 most beautiful beaches in the world" by the Discovery Channel and Mark Ellingham, the founder of Rough Guides. Where to stay Travelling in Sri Lanka is quite economical and travellers can experience five-star luxury at very reasonable prices in the countryside, while budget travellers can find delightful traditional 'rest houses'. Getting around Train travel is comfortable but slow, with modern coaches a better option. Local transport consists of buses, taxis and auto-rickshaws. Car and motorbike hire is becoming increasingly popular. Renting a car with a driver is not expensive, but it is important to negotiate beforehand. Food and entertainment Traditional Sri Lankan food is dominated by rice and curry, and is usually very spicy