Better than Seychelles?? I'd expect it to be dirt cheap.

Lived in Sri Lanka for 4 years during the late nineties and visit every 2-3 years. One of the most beautiful places on earth if you can get over the poverty.

Its like India without the shit in the streets.

Amazing beaches and really really nice people.

Did you enjoy the civil war? Thats over right? I don't want my mum having to put a sad face on Daily Mail. She'll milk it and make me come over like a modern day Jesus.

Young Iggles, was full of life. He cared passionately for the poor, blacks and Jews. His favorite athlete was Mo Farah, and his dying wish was that Mo Farah, came to his funeral and sing the British National anthem.

Yep, was there with 3 kids under 10 just as the war really came to Colombo. Exiting and scary times. I think it made me the expat I am today.

Soft and cuddly?

Hardened to anything which is why I'm so chilled in Middle East .

Yeah, and I can see why.

I found it ok - worth going to once, but I didn't fall in love with the place the way some people do. The beaches aren't the beaches of Thailand or the Maldives, and while it's definitely a lot more orderly than India proper, it also lacks the mesmerising chaos that defines India and the cultural venues aren't as interesting as those in India.

Depends what you're looking for. Want a cheap weekend holiday? Go for it. Decent place to relax by the beach for a few days with a low key third world vibe to keep things interesting enough.

India is a shithole, why would anyone want to visit "Chaos" for a holiday. If I wanna experience that I'd just drive up the M69 to Leicester.

I used to justify my travels by saying it broadens the mind.

I see I've found the one exception in you

Go to Sri Lanka. Have fun. Come back and whinge about it.

visa for India is an expensive hassle too, Sri Lanka is easy.

My one-year multi-entry visa for India isn't a hassle, it's a concern.

very true! A single entry is about 700Dh, multiple one year something like 2000dh. That's a lot to pay to get the shits.

I took your advice and packed about 15 cereal bars.

Driving my jeep down to the sugar dunes in Oman. It's 8-10c cooler down there...

Whoa. Just googled it. Looks amazing.

I like Oman