Sri
Lanka

Sri
Lanka
is a country of strength and soul. As a young British
backpacker, I was welcomed in with open arms. The country’s civil
war actually only ended 10 years ago, but for many years, people
have been attracted to its tropical natural beauty, exquisite food
and plethora of changing landscapes.

From such a brutally turbulent past, the country finally shone
bright and warm, excited and ready to blossom in the tourism
sector. Sri Lankan locals are some of the kindest souls I have met,
always greeting you with a big smile that is completely infectious,
or making sure you have eaten enough that day.

After the recent
attacks in Sri Lanka, the country faces a tremendous loss in
tourism revenues (an estimated $750 million this year), upon which
locals rely heavily for income. As I left two weeks prior to the
attacks, I was lucky enough to travel freely for a month, covering
most of the country with my camera.

With the tropical sandy beaches of Mirissa, hill-top tea
plantations of Ella and English-built racecourse of Nuwara Eliya,
Sri Lanka is fascinatingly diverse. Public transport here is cheap
and easy, making the country easily navigable – plus, Sri Lanka is
four times smaller than the UK.

One of the main attractions here is the three-hour scenic train
ride that passes through vivid green tea plantations en route from
Ella to Kandy. The ride will set you back around 160 Sri Lankan
Rupees (approximately 73p) – just remember your own toilet
paper.

In the wake of the attacks, I can only hope for a quick recovery
in Sri Lanka’s reputation and tourism industry, so that locals can
continue to showcase their precious jewel
of a country and thrive as a nation.

@ecrossphoto | emily-cross.com