Family Traveler

100ThereisaplaceinSriLankawhereafingerofrocklacedinfairylightsreaches2kmupintotheclouds.ThisisSriPada,orAdam’sPeak,oneoftheholiestspotsinSouthAsia.ItwasherethattheBuddhaascendedtoHeaven.Itwastothismountainthatbutterfliesgotodie.Anditwasonthispinnacleofrock,solocallegendlaysdown,thatAdamsteppedoutoftheGardenofEdenandintotheHellofEarth.AdammusthavebeenprettychuffedwithwhathefoundwhenhelandedinHell.SriLankaisatropicalislandwheregushingfallsflowthroughruggedhillspaintedinteaestategreens,andancienttemplesandgiantBuddhastatuescrumbleinthejungle.Thisisalandwherethere’salwaysthesweetsmellofspiceandathousandexoticfruits,andladiesingoldsarisandmenincareeringtuk-tukswavehelloastheyslidepast.Andthen,ofcourse,therearethebeaches.It’sthesesoftslipsofsand,lappedbyagreeny-bluewater,thathavemadetheverynameSriLankasoundlikeliquidmagic.A JEWELOF AN ISLEsrilanka’sgreen``````hillsarecarpeted``````withteaplantationsEmeraldrainforests,Buddhistruinsandwildlifethrillsthatcomethickandfast.SriLankaisagemforafamilyholiday,saysSTUARTBUTLER