Travelling with children
Sri Lankans have a special affinity for children, and the mere presence of young ones often have a way of sparking remarkably amicable conversations with the otherwise seemingly shy and demure locals. You may be surprised at how eager people in Sri Lanka are to offer you a lending hand if seen to be struggling with the energetic young ones. Even more surprising is the patience, level of tolerance and composure Sri Lankans display in matters relating to young travellers –public displays of tantrums, meltdowns and mischief will be appeased with tactful distractions, accepted with gentle smiles, or deliberately ignored to save the adult carers any embarrassment. In Sri Lanka, children are considered a joy rather than an inconvenience even in the most trying circumstances!
Child specific menus are rare. But most hotels and restaurants will serve mild, western style dishes and a colourful assortment of fruits, desserts, soups and snacks to keep the little picky eaters happy. Most hotel chefs will be more than happy to tweak the adult menu to suit the young palates, upon request. Baby beds are in short supply but most hotels have triple rooms, family rooms and suites on offer and will often accommodate a request for additional beds even at very short notice.
