77 Sri Lanka

Travel with Rick Steves

Rick Steves

Rick Steves, Public Radio, 721132, Europe, Society & Culture, Places & Travel, Npr, Travel

4.3 • 2.2K Ratings

🗓️ 17 December 2006

⏱️ 53 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

In 2004, Sri Lanka became one of the countries hardest hit by the Indian Ocean tsunami as it suffered damage along much of its coastline. Two years later, Sri Lanka still has some of the most picture-perfect beaches in the world, plus colorful temples, tea plantations, and festivals where visitors are welcome. On this week's Travel with Rick Steves, Lonely Planet guidebook author Ryan Ver Berkmoes tells us how the island is faring today, including how the Tamil ethnic conflict is affecting tourism. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

Transcript

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0:00.0	Hi, I'm Rick Steve. It was a quiet Sunday morning the day after Christmas 2004,
0:05.0	when the lazy beaches of the Indian Ocean region were turned upside down by tsunami waves caused by a huge undersea earthquake.
0:12.0	One of the hardest hit countries was Sri Lanka.
0:15.0	It took a direct hit along a coastline famous among travelers for its paradise beaches and friendly villages.
0:21.0	Today, the island is rebounding and visitors are once again boosting its economy.
0:25.1	Sprawling tea plantations, fragrant Buddhist temples, remote beaches, pushy
0:30.1	elephants, inviting palm trees, and no shortage of colorful festivals are just some of the
0:35.0	attractions.
0:36.2	To get us right up to date, we're joined by lonely planet author Ryan Verberikmos.
0:40.6	Amidst this beautiful rolling terraced hills and these incredible tea leaves in all directions,
0:47.0	try to figure out how many different words for green you can come up with.
0:51.6	We're spicing up our travels with an insider's look at Sri Lanka.
0:55.2	Coming up in the hour ahead on Travel with Rick Steeves.
1:00.6	Travel with Rick Steeves is brought to you by American Airlines with their new Advantage Award booking tool, it's easier than ever to book to over 800 Advantage Award destinations online at AA.com.
1:12.0	American Airlines knows why you fly.
1:14.0	Hi, I'm Rick Steeves. The island long known for its tea and spices
1:19.0	is also famous these days for a smoldering civil war
1:22.0	and for being in precisely the wrong place for the wrong tsunami.
1:26.5	But good travelers know Sri Lanka remains one of Asia's most remarkable and welcoming destinations.
1:32.1	The author of the Lonely Planet Guidebook to Sri Lanka
1:34.4	brings us the latest on travel to this fascinating island nation. Ryan Verberkmos,
1:39.6	thanks for joining us. Hey thank you. Yeah, he Ryan, when we talk about Sri Lanka, it has the name
	...

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