India, Aug. 11 -- First time in Sri Lanka?" A routine question at the immigrations counter had me wondering why hadn't I thought of visiting this country before. Considering, we are friendly neighbours, the access is so smooth and currency makes it budget friendly, why was it that the idea had never popped in our heads? And just about when I had shrugged the thought away, my daughter's observation had us all discussing it aloud. "It's so similar to south India," she remarked. "Close. And yet, so distinct in its character," remarked the husband. We were driving towards the south west coast of this island country for our first stop to the city of Galle.

Verdant green landscape lined with coconut palm trees, wild foliage and great (albeit a...