Sri Lanka is a beautiful country where every year thousands of Russian tourists spend unforgettable vacations in the lap of nature. Far from the hustle and bustle of big cities, our fellow citizens enjoy sea views, go diving, have picnics and explore local attractions. When it comes time to return home, every traveler fills the suitcases with souvenirs and exotic gifts for relatives and friends. From this article you will learn what to bring from Sri Lanka as a keepsake. And also all about the features of shopping in this amazing country.
Gems
Sri Lanka is known worldwide for its precious stones. Amethysts, rubies and topazes are still mined by locals with a pick and shovel. Ratnapura Island is the center of sapphire deposits, where rare stones of all colors of the rainbow are found. Saturated shades and the absence of defects make Ceylon sapphires one of the most expensive in the world. If you find yourself near a state mine, be sure to check out the local stone processing factory. The cutters, armed with files and grinding wheels, will give sapphires a shape before your eyes and show the whole process of creating a gem.
If you decide to purchase a precious souvenir as a souvenir, then you should go to the Ratnapur sapphire market. Before you buy the right product, consider a few suggestions. Bypassing all the stores, you can choose the most suitable offer. Do not forget to check the authenticity of sapphire in the nearest gemological laboratory, and also carefully examine it and make sure that there are no visible damages. Remember that it is customary to bargain in the local market, and therefore do not be shy and boldly bring down the price. The average cost of one carat of beautiful blue sapphire in the local market varies from $ 100 to $ 150. So that you don’t have any problems at the customs, contact any local jeweler who will cut your stone and place it in the frame.
Tea from Sri Lanka
Of course, the most anticipated gift brought from vacation will be a bag of elite Ceylon tea. Usually, tourists are advised to buy this product in factories at tea plantations. However, many vacationers notice that in such places the cost of goods is very high. To save money, you can buy excellent varieties in specialized departments of shopping centers and large supermarkets. It is believed that the presence of a quality brand name will save you from buying a bad product. Feel free to bring tea from Sri Lanka if it shows a lion holding a sword in its paw.
Spice
Fragrant spices for many centuries have been the pride of this amazing island. What to bring from Sri Lanka, if not cinnamon, cardamom, curry, cloves, ginger and pepper? Having visited one of the “Spice Gardens”, you will learn a lot of interesting things about the local flora and you can enjoy exotic fruits. They will tell you how to lose weight with spices, relieve toothache, stop snoring and get rid of dandruff. In addition, here you can purchase natural cosmetics and personal care products based on these spices.
Masks
If you want to bring home something special, then pay attention to the masks made by the hands of local craftsmen. Such souvenirs from Sri Lanka cost from $ 35 and above. Most of them have a special meaning for local residents and always symbolize some side of life. Since ancient times, these items have been used in ritual ceremonies and dance performances. Impressive people who believe in mysticism, the evil eye and amulets, it is better to refuse such purchases. And for those who think rationally, we recommend that you visit the mask museum located in Ambalangod. This city is considered the center of handicraft production, and here you can find out the history of the appearance of attributes, as well as everything about traditional rituals and festivals.
Elephant figures
The most popular souvenirs from Sri Lanka are wooden animal figurines. Elephants are a symbol of the island, and locals are happy to make their miniature images. The most valuable are figurines made of black or ebony. By weight they are slightly heavier than their "brothers", and if you want to rub them, then dark marks will remain on your hand.
Buddha Images
Sri Lanka is often associated with beach vacations, however, thousands of followers of the teachings of Prince Gautama come here annually to honor the local shrines. Surprisingly, in this country, almost all residents strive to achieve nirvana and try not to perform actions that could interfere with their ascent on the spiritual ladder. If you are imbued with the mental attitude of the local population, then you will not have a question what to bring from Sri Lanka. Buddha figurines will bring the atmosphere of the East into your home and will become a reminder of a wonderful vacation in an exotic country.
Silk
Products made of noble material will be a wonderful gift for any woman in our country. High quality fabrics and rich colors will conquer the hearts of even the most strict representatives of the best half of humanity. Shops at silk factories provide tourists with a huge selection of a variety of products. You can purchase sarees or other items of national clothing, bedding, bedspreads or light summer scarves. The cost of such gifts will be quite high, but you will not doubt their origin.
Cotton
Sri Lanka is known worldwide as a manufacturer of clothing and home textiles. In the numerous shops and shops of the country, you can purchase cotton products at fairly low prices. For example, the average price of a women's tunic varies from five to seven dollars. Before you buy the desired product, make sure that it has no significant defects. The fact is that the country's sewing industry works mainly for export, and most defective or low-quality items remain in the domestic market.
Cosmetics
Every woman seeks to bring home the best of her home from a new country. Cosmetics from Sri Lanka contains a minimal amount of chemistry and consists mainly of natural ingredients. Unfortunately, the maximum period of its use is two months, which means you can not stock up on fragrant creams and masks for a long time. Therefore, try to go through a maximum of wellness and beauty treatments while on vacation. Sri Lanka is a country with a huge number of SPA salons, beauty parlors and Ayurvedic hotels. Pamper yourself with herbal baths, relaxing massages, various types of body wraps and massage therapy. Sri Lanka cosmetics made from herbal extracts will help you regain strength. And also feel young and beautiful.
Fruit
Many tourists, having thought what to bring from Sri Lanka, decide that it will be best to treat friends and acquaintances with exotic fruits. The warm climate and fertile land of this country allow vacationers to enjoy exotic fruits all year round. Drinking coconuts, several types of bananas, mangosteen, sapodilla, rambutan and lychee are just the beginning of the list of delicious berries and fruits. Experienced travelers are advised to make purchases in rural markets, where their price will be lower.
Alcohol
What to bring from Sri Lanka to male friends or relatives? You will not be mistaken if you give them a branded liquor, which is the pride of this country. We are talking about araka - vodka infused with local herbs and has a specific taste. Fans of drinking argue that this type of alcohol does not cause a hangover and is even healthy. Connoisseurs also recommend tasting red Calypso rum and locally produced Lion beer. To avoid problems, do not get carried away with uncharted varieties and remember that no more than three liters of alcohol can be exported from the country.
What to bring from Sri Lanka. Reviews and travel tips
Everyone who has successfully rested in this wonderful country is happy to share their impressions of their vacation. We will tell you some tricks to help you easily find the goods you are looking for and save money.
- It is most beneficial for tourists to exchange currency at the airport immediately after arrival. Checks for purchased goods should be kept until the end of the trip, so that before you fly home you can easily exchange unspent funds at the current rate.
- The cost of the same product at different points can vary greatly. Therefore, do not buy your favorite souvenirs in the first store you get, but take a walk around the surroundings and ask the price.
- Sri Lanka is a country in which it is customary to bargain. But this should be done as softly and benevolently as possible. Talking with the seller, you can significantly reduce the price.
- Remember that the highest prices for souvenirs are set in places most popular with tourists.
- If you want to make purchases in the market, then go there on Saturday or Sunday. The sooner you get there, the more you can save. Local residents, knowing about profitable offers, try to buy on weekends everything they need for the week ahead.
- Jewelry in this country is not of high quality. It is better to bring beautiful stones from here and hand them over to a specialist at home. Beware of making such purchases on the beach and in small shops, even if the business owner is ready to provide a guarantee and certificate.
- Experienced tourists prefer to shop in Colombo, in local markets and in small shops. Imported goods are sold mainly in large supermarkets, and their prices are quite low.
- When buying jewelry and various trifles, you are interested in the seller, where his goods were produced. Quite often, beads and bracelets are brought from China or India.
- Move away from stereotypes and try to find an unusual souvenir yourself. For example, in some stores you may find dishes made from cinnamon and coconut shells.
Souvenirs from Sri Lanka, photos of which you can see in our article, are quite bright and beautiful. Such gifts will be pleasantly presented to colleagues, relatives and acquaintances. After reading what tourists are bringing from Sri Lanka, you can easily make a shopping plan and do not miss a single important detail.