NAFL 5th DRAFT

NAFL REVIEW Travel
For bird enthusiasts, the country offers
plenty with 433 bird species, including 20
endemic ones.
Its hinterlands are filled with picturesque
view of lush green tea gardens, some are
world renowned for their flavors.
Its mountains are covered with lush tropical
forests, some with treasured heritage like
ancient palaces and giant statues of
Buddha. Further north are colorful ancient
Hindu temples.
Charming Colombo
Colombo, the business capital of Sri Lanka
is now teeming with high-end hotels and
casinos largely funded by Chinese
investors, proof of its reinvigorated tourismled
economy.
With more than 3 million Sri Lankans who
work overseas, including some 300,000 in
the UAE, who collectively remit about $1
billion annually to the country's economy,
Colombo also exudes modernity blended
with its ancient colonial past.
Here you will find Ganesha Kovil, the oldest
and largest Hindu temple in town and the
Gangaramaya Buddhist Temple, revered
among Buddhists all over the world seeking
comfort and solutions for their health and
other troubles as well as Sri Lankan monks
seeking wisdom and further learning.
Monks at this temple are friendly and willing
to talk to strangers. They may even gift you
with a blessed Buddha beads for good luck
if you ask for one.
Colombo is also home to a number of
museums and historical sites dotted across
its neighborhoods made of mostly Colonial
buildings.
Some places worth seeing are the Old
Parliament Building at Galle Face Green, the
1950's Lighthouse overlooking Colombo,
the Dutch Hospital Shopping Precinct where
one can buy some of the best souvenirs and
explore nearby shops.
Head to the busy Pettah Open Market where
the Dutch Period Museum is also located if
you want some cheap souvenirs. Here, you
will have the chance to see a variety of local
goods sold from all sorts of merchants at a
fraction of what you would pay for them at
high-end stores.
While in Colombo, don't forget to stop by at
Ape Gama, Sri Lanka's traditional folklore
center and crafts village. Here, you can also
find good souvenirs, including brass bells
and other art pieces, for reasonable prices.
Sri Lankan flavors won't disappoint you
either. Though generally spicy, its cuisines
with rich natural flavors are worth trying.
Sep-Oct 2016 / 22
Unwind - UAE
Dusit Thani's Benjarong
Restaurant
If you're craving for that authentic
Royal Thai cuisine, complimented with
a view of Dubai's ultra-modern skyline
from the 24th floor vantage point with
the delicate and exotic Thai interior,
Benjarong Restaurant, the awardwinning
signature restaurant of Dusit
Thani Hotel, offers you both and more.
The restaurant's majestic interior
resembles the royal dining halls of King
Rama IV, with the gentle sounds of
classically trained Thai musicians
adding to the authenticity to your fine
dining experience. Call 04 343 3333 for
reservations.