Saiful Islam(@SaifIS), a Google Local Guide from Bangladesh, recently visited Sri Lanka to explore the country’s sights and culture. Our dear mutual local guide friend @KashifMisidia informed me that Saiful is planning to visit Sri Lanka. My first thought was, great Bangladesh and Sri Lanka LG meetup !!! He arrived at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) and spent his first day in Colombo, the capital city.
During his time in Colombo, Shariful visited the Gangaramaya Temple, a Buddhist temple complex known for its beautiful architecture and gardens. He also visited the National Museum of Colombo, which houses a collection of artifacts from Sri Lanka’s rich history.
From Colombo, Shariful took a bus to Sigiriya, one of Sri Lanka’s most famous ancient rock fortress complexes. He spent the day exploring the ruins and climbing to the top of the rock for stunning views of the surrounding countryside.
From Sigiriya, Shariful traveled to Kandy, Sri Lanka’s second-largest city. He visited the historic city center, including the Temple of the Tooth Relic, one of the most sacred Buddhist temples in the world. He also took a train from Kandy to Ella, a popular mountain town in Sri Lanka.
Shariful said that the train ride from Kandy to Ella was one of the best scenic train rides he had ever taken. He enjoyed the stunning views of the tea plantations, mountains, and valleys.
Saiful had spent several days in Ella, exploring the surrounding area and visiting popular tourist attractions such as Nine Arches Bridge and Ella Rock. He had also enjoyed the chilled weather in Ella.
From Ella, Saiful traveled to Galle, a coastal town in southern Sri Lanka. He met another Sri Lankan Google Local Guide, @AnuradhaP , and they visited the historic Dutch Fort in Galle. Anuradha had showed many historical places with in the Dutch fort.
Shariful spent a few days in Galle, enjoying the sun, sand, and beach. He then headed back to Colombo to complete his journey around Sri Lanka.
Before leaving Sri Lanka, I met Saiful at Colombo OneGalleface mall, for a goodbye meetup. I showed him around Colombo a bit and went to the newly build public beach at New Port City. We spent some time at the beach watching the Colombo skyline from a new angle, and then we had Laksa from the food court. We talked about the Local Guides program, local guide activities in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, and how an international LG event would be like. We also shared your travel stories around the world. I missed my LG buddy @kasunaaa a lot at this point. He would have been definitely there if he was in the country.
From what I gathered Shariful had a wonderful time exploring Sri Lanka and making new friends. He was impressed by the country’s natural beauty, rich culture, and friendly people. He is already planning his next trip to Sri Lanka.
Saiful’s Tips for Visiting Sri Lanka
- Book your train tickets in advance, especially if you are traveling during peak season.
- Pack for all types of weather. Sri Lanka has a tropical climate, but it can be cool in the mountains and hot and humid in the lowlands.
- Be prepared for a cultural difference. Sri Lanka is a Buddhist-majority country, so it is important to be respectful of the local customs and traditions.
- Try the local food. Sri Lankan cuisine is delicious and diverse. Be sure to try some of the popular dishes, such as rice and curry, kottu roti, and hoppers.
- Talk to the locals. Sri Lankans are friendly and welcoming people. They are always happy to chat with visitors and share their culture.
Saiful’s Tips for Making New Friends as a Google Local Guide
- Attend Local Guides meetups. This is a great way to meet other Local Guides from your area and from all over the world.
- Be active on the Local Guides Connect forum. This is a great place to ask questions, share your experiences, and connect with other Local Guides.
- Participate in Local Guides events. Local Guides often organize events such as photo walks, scavenger hunts, and social gatherings. These events are a great way to meet new people and learn more about your community.
Saiful Islam’s trip to Sri Lanka is a great example of how the Local Guides program can help people connect with new cultures and make new friends around the world. If you are interested in learning more about the Local Guides program, please visit the Local Guides website.
