Sri Lanka

Sigiriya in 2015

 

Country Information:

The capital of Sri Lanka is Colombo. There are approximately 22 million people living here. The majority of Sri Lankans practice Buddhism. The official languages of Sri Lanka are Sinhala and Tamil, while English is used often in government sectors.

Major exports of Sri Lanka include textiles and apparel, tea and spices, rubber manufactures, precious stones, coconut products, and fish.

Jim’s Perspectives:

Sri Lanka is ripe with natural beauty. When visiting, adventurers will enjoy Sigiriya, an ancient rock fortress located in the Central Province. Also of interest is the Temple of the Tooth, a temple located in the city of Kandy. The temple is home to the tooth of the Buddha!

I got a very warm welcome in Sri Lanka and had a wonderful nights rest. Woke up early the next day for a flight to Sigiriya to visit the “Cultural Triangle.” Then went to the rock fortress built in the 5th century (probably modeled after Romans).

 

 

I learned how to snake charm a cobra! Then climbed up the Dambulla temple where there are huge rock sculptures of Buddha. The highlight of the day was going to the elephant orphanage at Habarana.  Priceless adventure and time in Sri Lanka!

 

 

At elephant orphanage in Sabaragwmuwa

Brazil

Legendary Iguazu Falls Country Information: Tropical Brazil is the largest country in South America. After nearly three centuries of Portuguese rule, Brazil gained independence in 1822. Because of this Portuguese is the most widely spoken language of Brazil and is the...

Albania

Overlooking Albania in 2015   Country Information: The country of Albania was founded in November 1912 and its capital is Tirana. About 3 million people live here. The main language is Albanian and the largest religions are Islam followed by Christianity. The...

South Sudan

Garbage everywhere in the streets of Juba Country Information: The capital of South Sudan is Juba, and there are approximately 13 million people living here. The official language of South Sudan is English, with Arabic spoken by a majority of the population as well....