Toastmasters' Speech Project # 4 (How to Say It)
The Pearl of the Indian Ocean
You could see white bubbly waves incessantly lapping in to the sandy white beaches which are fringed with tall palm trees which are bent towards the beautiful sea of contrasting deep blue waters. You will soon be flying over lustrous green vegetation studded with small hamlets and townships before landing in to the paradise island or the pearl of the Indian Ocean.
Dear fellow toastmasters and distinguished guests, welcome to the paradise island, Sri Lanka. Ayubowan.
I would like to take you on a brief tour of this beautiful island of Sri Lanka. I will give you a brief description of Sri Lanka’s historical and cultural background including its current demography and some places of interest that visitors to the island should not miss.
Sri Lanka hangs like a jewel off India's tip, surrounded by the Indian Ocean. Sri Lanka is accordingly known as the Pearl of the Indian Ocean. Great Explorer Marco Polo called it "the finest island of its size in all the world." Sri Lanka has been known to explorers since antiquity. Arabic explorers called the island "Serendib." This is the basis for the English word serendipity, an apt term for an island with happy discoveries around every turn.
Sri Lanka has a long recorded history which dates back to more than 2500 years. The recorded history of Sri Lanka is closely associated with the arrival of Buddhism in Sri Lanka from India. During this long history of Sri Lanka, it has been an independent and sovereign state for the majority of the period except for about 450 years when the country was under the rule of western colonizers initially, partially and then as a whole. The Portuguese, Dutch and the British were the colonizers. Sri Lanka was then known as Ceylon. Sri Lanka gained independence from the British in 1948 and subsequently in 1972, the country was declared a Republic and reverted back to the original name Sri Lanka, meaning resplendent land.
Today, Sri Lanka is a multi-ethnic, multi-religious and multi-cultural society. The major ethnicities are Singhalese, Tamils and Burghers or Eurasians. The major religions are Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity and Islam. The major languages spoken are Sinhalese, Tamil and English. Except for the unfortunate situation prevailing in the country at present, all ethnicities and religions have coexisted peacefully for centuries like different flowers in one colorful bouquet.
Let us now move around the country to see its picturesque and breath taking sceneries.
Sri Lanka is surrounded by the beautiful Indian Ocean and action-filled Bay of Bengal. The whole island is surrounded by the beautiful beaches which are one of the world’s finest. Most of the beaches are dotted with palm trees, white sandy strips and deep blue waters. This provides ideal opportunity for a variety water sports including wind surfing and diving.
Kandy, the ancient capital of Sri Lanka is a place that a visitor to Sri Lanka cannot miss. Nested in beautiful mountain ranges, Kandy is home for the most revered temple of Buddhists in Sri Lanka. The climate is very pleasing in Kandy and the city presents a very picturesque and breathtaking sceneries right round it. As you move further in to the hill country towards the famous holiday resort of Nuwara Eliya, you will be presented with beautiful and meticulously maintained tea gardens and cascading waterfalls. In Nuwara Eliya, you will be able touch and feel the most beautiful flowers one can dream of and also enjoy their fragrance which may pleasantly intoxicate you.
This beautiful paradise island in the Indian Ocean is also blessed with beautiful precious stones. There are many types of high value gems found in Sri Lanka. They are used in making jewelry, ornaments, etc and some become just collectors’ items. Gems are exported to many different parts of the world.
Dear Toastmasters, this is only a glimpse of the beautiful island of Sri Lanka. You all are welcome to visit this resplendent land and enjoy the beautiful beaches, sceneries, precious stones, wild life, etc. more importantly the warmth and hospitality offered by its people.
Let peace dawn on our beautiful homeland so both inhabitants and visitors to the island could enjoy a peaceful stay. Long live the Pearl of the Indian Ocean let its luster grow brighter and brighter.
You could see white bubbly waves incessantly lapping in to the sandy white beaches which are fringed with tall palm trees which are bent towards the beautiful sea of contrasting deep blue waters. You will soon be flying over lustrous green vegetation studded with small hamlets and townships before landing in to the paradise island or the pearl of the Indian Ocean.
Dear fellow toastmasters and distinguished guests, welcome to the paradise island, Sri Lanka. Ayubowan.
I would like to take you on a brief tour of this beautiful island of Sri Lanka. I will give you a brief description of Sri Lanka’s historical and cultural background including its current demography and some places of interest that visitors to the island should not miss.
Sri Lanka hangs like a jewel off India's tip, surrounded by the Indian Ocean. Sri Lanka is accordingly known as the Pearl of the Indian Ocean. Great Explorer Marco Polo called it "the finest island of its size in all the world." Sri Lanka has been known to explorers since antiquity. Arabic explorers called the island "Serendib." This is the basis for the English word serendipity, an apt term for an island with happy discoveries around every turn.
Sri Lanka has a long recorded history which dates back to more than 2500 years. The recorded history of Sri Lanka is closely associated with the arrival of Buddhism in Sri Lanka from India. During this long history of Sri Lanka, it has been an independent and sovereign state for the majority of the period except for about 450 years when the country was under the rule of western colonizers initially, partially and then as a whole. The Portuguese, Dutch and the British were the colonizers. Sri Lanka was then known as Ceylon. Sri Lanka gained independence from the British in 1948 and subsequently in 1972, the country was declared a Republic and reverted back to the original name Sri Lanka, meaning resplendent land.
Today, Sri Lanka is a multi-ethnic, multi-religious and multi-cultural society. The major ethnicities are Singhalese, Tamils and Burghers or Eurasians. The major religions are Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity and Islam. The major languages spoken are Sinhalese, Tamil and English. Except for the unfortunate situation prevailing in the country at present, all ethnicities and religions have coexisted peacefully for centuries like different flowers in one colorful bouquet.
Let us now move around the country to see its picturesque and breath taking sceneries.
Sri Lanka is surrounded by the beautiful Indian Ocean and action-filled Bay of Bengal. The whole island is surrounded by the beautiful beaches which are one of the world’s finest. Most of the beaches are dotted with palm trees, white sandy strips and deep blue waters. This provides ideal opportunity for a variety water sports including wind surfing and diving.
Kandy, the ancient capital of Sri Lanka is a place that a visitor to Sri Lanka cannot miss. Nested in beautiful mountain ranges, Kandy is home for the most revered temple of Buddhists in Sri Lanka. The climate is very pleasing in Kandy and the city presents a very picturesque and breathtaking sceneries right round it. As you move further in to the hill country towards the famous holiday resort of Nuwara Eliya, you will be presented with beautiful and meticulously maintained tea gardens and cascading waterfalls. In Nuwara Eliya, you will be able touch and feel the most beautiful flowers one can dream of and also enjoy their fragrance which may pleasantly intoxicate you.
This beautiful paradise island in the Indian Ocean is also blessed with beautiful precious stones. There are many types of high value gems found in Sri Lanka. They are used in making jewelry, ornaments, etc and some become just collectors’ items. Gems are exported to many different parts of the world.
Dear Toastmasters, this is only a glimpse of the beautiful island of Sri Lanka. You all are welcome to visit this resplendent land and enjoy the beautiful beaches, sceneries, precious stones, wild life, etc. more importantly the warmth and hospitality offered by its people.
Let peace dawn on our beautiful homeland so both inhabitants and visitors to the island could enjoy a peaceful stay. Long live the Pearl of the Indian Ocean let its luster grow brighter and brighter.
posted by Blogmaster at 8:49 PM
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