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Toddy Tapping: tight-rope walking to make Asia’s most unusual alcohol

Every unusual drink comes with an unusual process to making it, and this particular one happens 60 - 100 feet off the ground!
 
The coconut palm has been harvested for generations to make Toddy or Ra, a local coconut liquor, which is made by fermenting the sap of the coconut flower up in the trees. Before it can be tapped, the flower must first be ‘beaten’ for three days, then cut allowing the sap to drain out. The toddy tapper – those engaged in the profession – has to climb the coconut tree to tie a container in order to collect the sap. This is done in the evening, the container is left overnight and the contents are collected the next morning. So, the next time you travel to the South and see a rope-riddled tree top, look up and you might be witness to a local tightrope walker on an artisan liquor mission!

 

Our policy in discouraging Animal Cruelty, Tourist Traps and Staged Tourist Shows

Animals Are Friends Too: Discouraging Animal Cruelty, Tourist Traps and Staged Tourist Shows

We at ExJ stay away from tourism experiences that are staged and involve animal cruelty and shopping traps that are contrived to exploit and deceive clients.

Even though some of the popular ‘attractions’ are not included in our programmes due to the above reasons, we have no objections in our clients making their own arrangements with our Drivers to visit these places.

 

Why we do not promote following attractions

 

Turtle Hatcheries

As this concept has serious negative aspects in terms of conservation, we do not encourage our visitors to patronize the turtle hatcheries, as not all of them are really turtle-friendly. We instead encourage them to observe turtles in their natural habitats.

Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage

When we became aware that the animal welfare standards there were questionable, we stopped encouraging our clients to visit the orphanage. We are pleased to observe that the Born Free Foundation has now adopted similar measures.

Elephant back rides – Habarana

There’s uncertainty surrounding the attitude of this place towards animal welfare. There may be a few ethical operators, but in general, we are not in agreement with how the place is run. We all would love a photo of us riding an elephant, but is a lifetime of pain caused to these magnificent mammals really worth a few fleeting likes on social media?

Traditional Village Tour with a Canoe Trip and Bullock-Carts – Habarana

This is a tourist trap where a lot of the trip is ‘staged’ for commercial purposes. Such fake touristic experiences will not give our visitors an idea of what life in the country is really like, so join us as we show you the real side of Sri Lanka. And at the end of every vacation, always ask yourself, “Did you feel that your holiday was ethical, eco-friendly, and reduced environmental impacts?”


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