SATURDAY: Sketch the finest island in the world

 

Sri Lanka was described by Marco Polo as one of the finest islands in the world. It’s history dates back thousands of years.  Although it’s small, there is so much history, nature and beauty to see in this country.  Sri Lanka, formerly known as Ceylon is a pearl-shaped Island nation in South Asia, lying on the Indian Plate, a major tectonic plate.  Although it looks like paradise Sri Lanka has been torn by civil war since 1983. The war resulted from ethnic tensions between the Buddhist Sinhalese majority and the Hindu Tamil minority.

Sri Lanka also seems like a sketcher's paradise since almost every location seems to have stunning views and fascinating things to see.  We featured the Sigiriya because it is such a unique geological presence with an interesting history, but there is so much more.  

Click on any of the links below to view the stunning scenery and locations:

• Sigiriya  - the Lion Rock of Sri Lanka -  is a rock fortress and palace situated in the Matale district. The Unesco World Heritage Site has been called one of the most important must-visits when in Sri Lanka. You can climb up to the ancient ruins, which are surrounded by gardens, ponds, and magnificent frescoes, to see wonderful, dramatic views of the rolling hills in the jungle below.
• Adam’s Peak is a tall, cone-shaped mountain in a diverse biological site in central Sri Lanka. The 2,243m (7,359ft) ascent is a common pilgrimage route in the Buddhist religion, as it’s said there is an impression of Buddha’s own footprint near the summit.
• Galle - Visit the well-preserved colonial city of Galle, on the southwest coast, for a relaxing city break. This town is full of charming Dutch-era villas and seaside views. 
• Yala National Park, is the place to go to see big cats in Sri Lanka. The park is home to the highest concentration of leopards in the world, and it is also an important sanctuary for Sri Lankan elephants and aquatic birds. Monkeys, crocodiles, and other creatures run around the park’s grassy plains and forest areas. 
• Polonnaruwa - See incredible ancient Sinhalese art and architecture in the Unesco-protected town of Polonnaruwa. Numerous well-preserved ruins of tombs, temples, statues and other archaeological sites, including Gal Vihara, Quadrangle and Lankatilaka, are located in this town in North Central Province, which was in fact a capital of the island hundreds of years ago, as well as a busy commercial and religious hub.
• Bentota - has magnificent beaches, luxury hotels and plenty of untouched beauty. Spend a day soaking in the sun at Bentota Beach, visit the nearby Kosgoda turtle hatchery or find peace in the Galapatha Rajamaha Viharaya Buddhist temple. Bentota is a tourist hotspot, so you’ll also be able to get stuck into activities like helicopter rides and water sports.
• Kandy - The Sacred City of Kandy is an important location for Buddhists. Many travel to the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, within the royal palace complex that was built in the 4th century, as it holds Buddha’s tooth – although you can’t actually see it. Elsewhere, Kandy is surrounded by the central highland mountains and is the place to go to get a taste of Sinhalese culture – especially if you can visit during the Esala Perahera festival in the summer.
• Nuwara Eliya is a plateau town surrounded by mountains. It is also known as ‘Little England’ for its old British colonial buildings, like the Queen’s Cottage and the General’s House. The area holds many natural beauties, like waterfalls, hills, tea plantations and the towering Pidurutalagala, which is the tallest mountain in Sri Lanka. Nuwara Eliya is one of many tea plantation areas in Sri Lanka, but it is regarded as the most important spot for tea production in the country – don’t forget to try a cup on your visit.
• Dambulla - the largest and best-preserved cave temple complex in all of Sri Lanka; covering a total area of 2,100sqm (22,604sqft), it boasts five cave temples containing a huge collection of Sri Lankan Buddhist artwork, including statues, shrines and murals. The paintings and statues tell stories from Buddha’s life – there are a whopping 153 Buddha statues throughout the complex. Other statue subjects include Sri Lankan kings, gods and goddesses.
• Anuradhapura - Step back in time at the sacred city of Anuradhapura, which is one of the world’s oldest inhabited cities, perhaps dating back as far as the 10th century BC. As you might expect, the ancient metropolis, surrounded by lush jungle and rice fields, is home to numerous historical sites; the most popular include the Ruwanwelisaya (featuring Buddhist relics) and Abhayagiri Stupa (a Buddhist monastery). Meanwhile, the sacred bodhi tree in the Mahamevnāwa Gardens is another place of pilgrimage, attracting thousands of visitors annually.
• Udawalawe National Park - It’s like you stepped into a wildlife documentary.  Elephants share the park with leopards, crocodiles, water buffalos, otters and several species of eagle. The landscape varies as you go, with grasslands and scrublands complemented by rockier, more mountainous areas.

 

Or if you’d like to do your own research:

• Arugam Bay – Turquoise Heaven For Adrenaline-Junkies
• Jaffna – Peep Into The Past
• The Commonwealth War Cemetery At Kandy – Remember The Brave Martyrs
• Trincomalee– An Unmissable Beach Getaway
• Polonnaruwa Sacred City – Explore The Golden Past Of Sri Lanka
• Nine Arch Bridge – Bridge In The Sky
• Mihintale – The Birth Place Of Buddhism
• Ravana Falls – Enjoy The Impressive Sight Of The Magnificent Fall
• Mount Lavinia – Popular Neighborhood

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WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

• You need to register to participate.  
• Click here:  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/saturday-sketch-the-finest-island-in-the-world-tickets-158716905537
• The virtual sketching event will be this Saturday and starts at 10 AM EDT
• Registration closes on Friday at noon EDT.
• On Friday afternoon, if you registered, you will receive the login info you’ll need to participate.

There are no fees. All drawing skill levels are welcome