Sri Lanka has it all. From beautiful beaches, roaming wildlife, temples, tea plantations and trekking – it’s diversity will captivate you from the moment you arrive!
I was lucky to spend 3 weeks exploring all the wonders of Sri Lanka from the East Coast of Colombo and Negombo to the Central Areas of Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Dambulla and Kandy in March. It was here that I also had the opportunity to visit the Tea Plantation areas close to Ella and closed out my trip with a visit to the Yala National Park, and the Southern Beaches of Mirissa and Galle.
“And if I’m being honest - I would go back to ALL of the places I visited as I just loved everything about Sri Lanka so much.”
Visiting the sacred Bodhi Tree - located in the World Heritage listed temples of Anuradhapura - was such a special moment on my travels. Many locals and groups of people travel from all over the country to make a special offering on a Sunday. This is an opportunity for them to wrap their colours around the Pagodas in large cloths that have been bound together, painted or died with their local details. Being there with so many locals, all dressed in white was an amazing experience that I’ll never forget. The rest of the afternoon was just as wonderful where I got to ride around the grounds with our group to see all the ancient sights.
Whilst there are plenty of tourist attractions to admire in Sri Lanka, the few hours I spent catching a local bus and immersing myself in the local culture proved to be lots of fun. I loved eating with the locals, tasting the most amazing Roti dishes with fresh vegetables. And if you’re a foodie - you can’t go past the curries in Sri Lanka! Whilst I thought I would get sick of them, the way they carefully prepare and present their dishes just made me keep coming back for more. I also enjoyed the Hoppers – (a pancake style dish) both the savoury ones with curry inside, and the sweet version with banana and chocolate. Delicious!
If I was to visit again, I would travel further north up to Jaffna to experience more of the Hindu culture and get a glimpse into their remote ways of living. Most definitely on my list when I go back is the East Coast beaches around the Trincomalee and Batticaloa areas. And if I’m being honest - I would go back to ALL of the places I visited as I just loved everything about Sri Lanka so much.
Best Moment…
My 2 day trek through the tea plantations on my Intrepid Adventure stands out the most. Having local people point out the flora and fauna, whilst gaining a small glimpse into their way of life was incredible. I was lucky enough to visit one of their homes and was invited to taste the traditional food that his wife had made whilst drinking tea – it was very special.
My Top Tips for Anyone Thinking of Holidaying Here…
Go on a Safari – it’s a must-do experience!
Get adventurous and enjoy one of the many walks, hikes or bike rides. Catch a tuk tuk or even go whale watching. It doesn’t have to be hard, or scary but I can assure you it will be rewarding.
Interact with the locals - they are friendly, fun and have the biggest smiles!
I hope this inspires you to explore all the wonders of Sri Lanka too.
Carly