World T20 2012 in Sri Lanka - the Emerald Isle and its many marvels - Part 2 - Opinion
Continued from Part 1...
For those who are based in Pallekele however, the romantic, scenic and picturesque landscape of Kandy could be not much different than that of Colombo. The city would provide a unique experience, which would be in stark contrast to the bustling nature of
the capital of the country. Kandy is known as a spiritual place, and the second most prominent city on the Island, politically, culturally and economically. The relatively cooler climate, historical monuments, and the all important Temple of the tooth relic,
would provide the Kiwis, Bangladeshis and Pakistanis, something to look forward to.
Kandy, from a cricketer’s perspective is one of the most comfortable places to play the sport in Sri Lanka. The state of the art Pallekele Stadium offers a pitch which is conducive to seam bowling and boasts one of the greenest outfields in South Asia. The
comfortable climate gives plenty of opportunities to the teams to hit the city center, where a unique blend of colonial and modern buildings await them.
Kandy is also known as an important place for Buddhists in Sri Lanka, where the historic Temple of the Tooth Relic is situated in the heart of the city. This edifice was designated as a UNESCO heritage site in 1988 and houses Siddhartha Gautama’s tooth,
which is considered as sacred to many Buddhists who hail from the Theravada school of thought. Unfortunately for the players however, the annual
Esala Perahera procession has already taken place in the city in late July and Mid August. The procession marks an important time in the Buddhist calendar, and entails the prospect of taking the covering of the tooth relic across the city. This massive
procession, marked by decorated elephants and vigorous drumming, is one of the highlights of this city, as thousands flock to witness Buddha’s tooth being carried around. In addition, the equally enthralling Botanical Gardens in Peradeniya, and the lush green
landscape, all add to a truly unique experience, in the very center of the island.
Sri Lanka is a rapidly developing economy which has been torn apart from a now defunct LTTE. To seriously witness this burgeoning economy in full flow, and the massive developments which are taking place on the island, the city of Hambantota is ideal. Nestled
in the very South of Sri Lanka, the entire locality and its surroundings have undergone an infrastructural makeover. An international airport, various windmills dotted around, and the creation of an international port, is bound to give Hambantota a unique
look.
In a nutshell, Sri Lanka, from a cricketer’s perspective, is possibly the most romantic island in the world. Only the islands in the Caribbean can rival this Pearl of the Indian Ocean in terms of its breath taking scenery and hospitality. Unlike many popular
tourist destinations around the world, Sri Lanka provides more than just hotels with spas, massages and swimming pools for the players. It is a country of contrasts, with regard to religion, ethnicity and linguistics.
From the bustling city life of Colombo, to the largely peaceful and serene surroundings of Kandy, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/ICC-World-Cup-2011-c100625 World T20 of 2012.
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