This week we you lead to Sri Lanka, the home of elephants, and to Bhutan, the youngest democratic country in the world. But, for the start meet Goa, the Perl of the Orient.
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India
Goa, or like people like to call it "Perl of the Orient", is settled between the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea. As the most developed state in India, Goa enjoys in a high living standard and it GDP 2.5 times higher than India.
Goa is the richest state of all India's states. The best part of a year for visiting this India jewel is from late September to early March when weather conditions are the most pleasant. So, if you haven't visited India make a plan to meet Goa's oriental architecture, a combination of Portuguese, India and Mughal style, to enjoy in heavenly beaches and to have the best shopping of your life. Goa has few excellent hotels, but we recommend The Leela Hotel in the southern part of Goa, close to airport and near the Arabian Sea. Six restaurants and bars are the first things that attracted our attention, excellent Indian cuisine and Italian culinary art along with fine wines promise that you will be happy all the time. The Leela Hotel in Goa also includes 12-hole 3 golf courses, badminton courts, floodlit tennis courts and for those who like to experience India through its culture The Leela Hotel offers yoga and meditation centres. If you must work, the hotel includes all business and conference services and daily newspaper. Enjoy for us, too.
Bhutan
Meet the youngest democratic country in the world. In March 2008, Bhutan announced first national election that turned Bhutan from an absolutistic monarchy to a democracy. Shabdung Nawang Namgyal (1594-1651) religious dignitary born in Tibet is called the founder of Bhutan and the father of Bhutan identity. Business Week rated the country as the happiest country in Asia. And if that is true you must visit that smiley nation. We made our homework and found few spots worth visiting.
But first stay at Zhiwa Ling, 5-stars 45-room traditionally luxury hotel. Ten minutes drive from Paro town or ten minutes drive from Kyichu temple, that is one of the oldest temples in the country. Zhiwa Ling has Swedish under-floor heating, business centre, international and Bhutanese cuisine and the temple built into the second floor of the hotel. Shortly, everything your heart desire. Zhiwa Ling offer Buddhist meditation classes, so you can meditate alone or in a group, or you can choose a book
from their library and learn something new. Visit Paro valley with ancient temples, monasteries and forts. Don't forget to see Chele la (pass), one of the highest motorable passes in Bhutan marked by hundreds of prayer flags. And that is Bhutan in its simplicity and sincerity.
Sri Lanka
Settled in the central Matale District of Sri Lanka, Sigiriya (Lion's rock) is known by the rock that is covered with colourful paintings. The pictures on rock's western side cover 140 meters long and 40 meters high area. From around 5th century BC Sigiriya was used as a rock-shelter mountain monastery with no military function. When you are there visit Sigiriya's gardens, see porcelain mirror wall and frescoes that form probably the largest picture in the world. Stay in Elephant Corridor Sigiriya that offers 6 deluxe suites, 8 super deluxe suites, 4 romantic suites, 2 royal suites and one presidential villa. Choose some excursions, maybe to Minneriya National Park that is home of sambar deer, leopards and elephants.
By the way, did you know what's the time when elephant steps on your fence? It's the time to change the fence. Ok, joke. Settlers of Sri Lanka will probably say: Nice joke, indeed. Probably it is truth. If you catch the time try to visit Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage settled halfway between the present capital Colombo and the ancient royal residence Kandy or enjoy in absolute privacy at Elephant Corridor Sigiriya. It offers modern convenience as air-condition, television, telephone and day bed on a private terrace in a private garden. Question for the end: What has eight legs, two trunks, four eyes, and two tails? Two elephants, of course. Please, pay attention to details where you are there. ■
