The Garden of Eden, also called Paradise, is the biblical "garden of God" described in the Book of Genesis. There are many paradises on this planet of ours, but if there is one true Garden of Eden, to me, it has to be Sri Lanka.

I’ve not long returned from my fourth visit to the country and there is not a day that has passed since when it hasn’t been on my mind. It’s not just that I had a great holiday, it’s the effect the country and its people have on you that linger.

Sri Lanka has been on traveller’s radars for some time now and, as Lonely Planet #1 Country to visit in 2019, more and more are putting the country at the top of their list. As always, it hurts to imagine that too much overdevelopment may spoil such a paradise. It seems a way off, but the signs are certainly there.

In this age of boundless travel, Sri Lanka stands out as a beacon. It really does have something for everyone. This tiny country, shaped like a teardrop and known as the Jewel of the Indian Ocean, presents so much sensory pleasure it can be overwhelming.

The beaches are glorious, perhaps the best on earth. The lush jungles, national parks and open spaces promote adventure and a sense of the wild that has a long way to go before human interaction changes it into something more homogenised. The Tea Country a vastly different, mystical and spiritual landscape.

Languid days spent in tropical heat is good for the soul. The country is lush and truly exotic. Who doesn’t clamour for this in today’s crazy fast world, where those of us in the West desire to escape and see another way of life, to discover new experiences, in an ancient culture that is slowly disappearing as the human population explodes.

It’s two elements, however, that make Sri Lanka a country that is unforgettable. The people and the food. To me, the best part of travel to anywhere is this. Looking outwardly at another culture, so foreign to your own and being welcomed in, yourself being very much also alien to them, is intoxicating. The warmth of the Sri Lankan people will strike you and hold you in it’s grasp.

From a chat with a family as you walk along an almost deserted beach, to stories about fishing and the inevitable discussion on cricket, the people will inquire and show a genuine interest in you and welcome you to spend time with them or assist you in any way they can.

Then, there is the food. And there is literally nothing else like it on earth. The food of Sri Lanka is one of the world’s most unique cuisines. From Egg Hoppers and String Hoppers at breakfast accompanied by various sweet, spicy and coconut laden sambols, to the Rice and Curry extravaganzas, a staple of their diet, sometimes 12 different curries, mostly local vegetables, all taste sensations, a healthy, fresh and balanced daily meal for many. These are curries with a flavour that is entirely Sri Lankan. It’s unmistakeable.

There are a multitude of reasons why I return to the country. The one that gets me every time is just how good I feel by being there. I feel calm, welcome, and comfortable. There is an overwhelming meditative feeling that pervades. Looking up and all around, every sense is electrified. The magnificent pastels of the sunsets over the beaches, the soothing sounds of the waves and birdlife, the heady scent of spice that pervades the air. That first whiff of cinnamon in the humid air is unforgettable.

When I return home from Sri Lanka my mind lingers so long on the trip I just had. I cook Sri Lankan food regularly at home. It’s so easy and these are flavours I truly crave. With fresh curry leaves, the scent of those in my hand and then whilst frying as the base of my dishes transports me right back to Sri Lanka. I grind my own base curry powders from scratch in a mortar and pestle. It’s worth the pounding just for the aroma. It’s as close as I get to the feeling I have from the moment I set foot in this very special country that welcomes me back every time with open arms.

Go now if you can. Experience this special place. It will mesmerise you as it does everyone who visits. I pray the country doesn’t go the way of so many in the South East Asian region, overrun and losing much of what makes it unique. For now, the magic is still there. Don’t miss it.