The first seed of my desire to visit Sri Lanka was planted in 2010, when then-relevant singer M.I.A. tweeted her outrage over The New York Times including the island on its annual list of places to visit. Two years later, I was on the cusp of making my maiden voyage to Sri Lanka, but had to cancel at the last minute when my ophidiophobic ex-boyfriend learned about the snakes that apparently live in Sri Lanka.

I finally ended up getting to Sri Lanka last summer – and I’m happy to report I witnessed neither the carnage M.I.A. warned about in her tweet, nor a single snake slithering across the ground.

What I did find in Sri Lanka was an enchanting, diverse arrays of landscapes that belie the island’s small size, a plethora of untouched cultural wonders and a pacifying hospitality that proved the perfect counterweight to the stress the country’s lacking infrastructure often caused me.

Today’s post, which features photos of Sri Lanka from its modern capital Colombo to its 2,500-year old capital Anuradhapura, from its idyllic beaches to its towering tea plantations, from its ancient Buddhist relics to the timeless beauty of the elephants that wander its backwaters, will ensure you don’t wait as long as I did to get yourself to this magical island.

The lotus blossoms at Gangaramaya Temple in central Colombo.

Endless rows of Buddhas extend up from the center of the temple.



Like many other countries in Asia, the tuktuk is a ubiquitous form of transport in Sri Lanka.

Also, the motorbike.

Colombo is a hectic city, but in a more controlled way than you might find in the capitals of India or Southeast.

Public transport is also on the rise.

Although Colombo's seas are often too rough for swimming, they give the city a balmy atmosphere.

A few hours inland from Colombo sits Kandy, Sri Lanka's second-largest city and the gateway to its cultural treasures.



These monkeys are oblivious to my camera at Jetavanramaya Temple in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka's ancient capital.

Umbrellas on a rainy day seem to match the stupa at the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy.

Thuparamaya, also located in Anuradhapura, is said to house remains of the original Gotama Buddha.



At this meditation monk's feet was a sign which invited visitors to take photos, speak near him or do anything else they liked, but a warning that he would not react in any way.



This massive Buddha statue near Sigiriya, an ancient rock fortress is central Sri Lanka, is dwarfed by the surrounding mountains.

Sigiriya itself stacks up quite nicely against the mountains.



Climbing further into Sri Lanka's highlands take you to Nuwara Eliya, the lush heart of the Ceylon Tea country, Asia.



Don't let the waterfalls and tropical-looking greenery fool you – it's cold here!

Still, it's difficult not to want to enjoy a cup of tea outside with a view like this.

The tea in Nuwara Eliya is as delicious as you might expect.

Sri Lanka is a great place to get up-close and personal with elephants.

Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, located approximately halfway between Colombo and Kandy, rehabilitates elephants who've been abandoned and aims to return all to the wild.

Heading to Sri Lanka's southeastern coast takes you to Arugam Bay, which is, not surprisingly, a surfing hot spot.

The colors and lushness of the coasts are refreshing after weeks in the hectic inland.



Take a boat ride into one of the marshy lagoons off the main beach.

Waving goodbye to Sri Lanka – I can't wait to go back!