impacked

Craig and others headed to Sri Lanka,

The recent events are making us very uncomfortable about finalizing our upcoming trip to Sri Lanka planned for Feb. 8. We have not made a deposit on the trip yet and are able to cancel our flights for a small penalty.

We will make our own minds up as to whether we will go this Feb. but wondered what your thoughts are?

Many Thanks!!

Kathy

Craig

WE ARE GOING TO SRI LANKA. As far as I have seen, not much has changed since we started planning last spring. In fact, Yala National Park is open again and Anuradhapura is safe. That being said, I am steering clear of Colombo (for a number of reasons, including safety) and I am happy that Singapore Airlines has rescheduled its flights to daytime hours. Our itinerary has us out in the countryside, away from major populated areas and away from the fighting. I just don't see the danger in going.

Kathie

I'm with Craig on this question. As you know, we were there in November. I really don't think that anything substantive has changed. I do think it's a good idea to avoid Colombo, for the hassles more than anything, but also because it's more of a target that other places you'll visit. (The targets have been mostly military bases or facilities and some bombings in Colombo meant to cause the maximum disruption.)

Your driver will know what has been happening and can help you adjust your itinerary. For instance, we wanted to go to Anuradhapura, but the airforce base their had been bombed a few weeks before. Thus, we were advised not to go. As Craig notes, both Anuradhapura and Yala are considered safe at this point, while they were not when I was there. The areas where there has been active fighting have been off-limits to visitors for quite some time.

If you feel like you will worry all the time, then don't go. But once you are in Sri Lanka, I think you will find the countryside to be peaceful and the Sri Lankans to be warm and welcoming.

Kathie

Given the assassination of the National Building Minister (posted by AP just a few hours ago), I would definitely avoid Columbo. If it were me, I would still go. But only you can decide whether you would feel comfortable.

impacked

Kathie and Craig,


Thank you both for your time and opinions especially since you have just returned and Craig is planning to go soon. The crazy thing is that in 2004 we were booked to go to Sri Lanka, we were in England celebrating Christmas with my husband's family and had flights to depart Heathrow on DEC. 28th. Of course, they were devastated with the horrible tsunami and we came home.

We have decided to take the rest of the week, access the events and make our final decision.

Mohammed

The troubles in Sri Lanka have escalated in the North and there have been a few sad assasinations of MP's and in Colombo and environs. Security in Colombo is very heavy and visible these days.

That said, I still think Sri Lanka is still quite safe to travel as a tourist, and you will be safer here than on the streets of NY or Lon. Just a ew weeks ago I was at the England/SL cricket test match and there were over 8000 English fans, they far out numbered us Sri Lankan fans at the SSC on the first two days and didn't we have a lovely time.

Craig, about Yala, I'm not so sure. True the parls re opened, but the latest and very reliable report I had about a week back was that only a small [ortion of the main road from the main gate and one of the by roads is accessible. That means only 20% or so of the park. Better watch and see. Is BSL willing to take you there right now? I any case suggest you to not fret about it and make a decision closer to your travel date say a week before. You can always find a decent alternative nearby like Hambantota/Bundala or Singharaja/Boulder etc.

Mohammed

Ooops lots of typos - I'm reposting the above...

The troubles in Sri Lanka have escalated in the North and there have been a few sad assasinations of MP's in Colombo and environs. Security in Colombo is very heavy and visible these days.

That said, I still think Sri Lanka is still quite safe to travel as a tourist, and you will be safer here than on the streets of NY or Lon. Just a few weeks ago I was at the England/SL cricket test match and there were over 8000 English fans, they far out numbered us Sri Lankan fans at the SSC on the first two days and didn't we have a lovely time.

Craig, about Yala, I'm not so sure. True the parks re opened, but the latest and very reliable report I had about a week back was that only a small section of the main road from the main gate and one of the by roads is accessible. That means only 20% or so of the park. Better watch and see. Is BSL willing to take you there right now? In any case suggest you to not fret about it and make a decision closer to your travel date say just a week before. You can always find a decent alternative nearby like Hambantota/Bundala or Singharaja/Boulder etc.

impacked

Again, thank you all for your time.

After much discussion my husband and I went back and forth until we were ready to go bonkers.
Yesterday, we woke up, looked at each other and said almost in unison "Let's go to Sri Lanka".
I emailed BSL and asked for a final quote and we are ready to. Whipeee!

Kathie

You'll have a wonderful time I'm sure! I look forward to your report.

Craig

I have received an update on Yala Park. We will not be staying there as no overnight camping is permitted. We will be doing our safari at Uda Walawe instead. I have heard that there are some leopards there and many elephants. As opposed to Yala, it is more savanna than jungle and smaller. I am sure we will have an enjoyable experience.

Mohammed

Uda Walawe has lots of elephants and you should find yourself surrounded by breeding herds. They are really facination to watch. At sunset it is awesome when the herds head to the tank (large lake) to drink. There are leopards in Uda Walawe but sightings are very rare.
Plenty of bird life too.

Will you be camping with Kulu Safari's?

Craig

No, we will be with EcoTours/Mahoora Camps - pretty much the same set-up though.