I N D I A N IIS U B IIC O N T I N E N T
Please Click on the underlined text below here to navigate up and down the page for information on each area.
Maldives - Goa - Sri Lanka
Maldives
(Click to got back up the page)
Resorts in the Maldives woo tourists with promises of 'the last paradise on earth'. If your idea of paradise is a pristine, tranquil tropical island with swaying palm trees, pure white beaches and brilliant turquoise lagoons, then the Maldives won't disappoint.
This group of 1190 coral islands is also a major destination for scuba divers, who come for the fabulous reefs and the wealth of marine life; however, this is not a place for low budget backpackers or amateur anthropologists who want to travel independently and live as the locals do.
Goa
(Click to got back up the page)
It's a shame Goa comes burdened with a reputation for louche living, because there's so much more to it than sun, sand and psychedelia. The allure of Goa is that it remains quite distinct from the rest of India and is small enough to be grasped and explored in a way that other Indian states are not.
It's not just the familiar remnants of Portuguese colonialism or the picture-book exoticism that make it seem so accessible. Roman Catholicism remains a major religion in this former Portuguese colony - skirts outnumber saris and Goans display a relaxed humour and civility.
Sri Lanka
(Click to got back up the page)
For a small island, Sri Lanka has many nicknames: Serendib, Ceylon, Teardrop of India, Resplendent Isle, Island of Dharma, Pearl of the Orient. This colourful collection reveals its richness and beauty, and the intensity of the affection it evokes in its visitors.
The beach thing may be a cliche, but don't miss them. Then head to the hills to cool off amidst tea plantations and ancient cities. The island teems with bird life, and even the occasional elephant or leopard. To top it all off, the people are friendly, the food is delicious and costs are low.
|