Tour Operator: Intro Travel
Tour: Sri Lanka Experience
Group Size: 15 (of a maximum 15)
Arriving a little late to the party at 5am on the second day of the trip I was warmly welcomed into the group over breakfast, in our beachside hotel in Negombo. After a quick look around Negombo we headed inland towards the impressive Sigariya Rock, some four hours from Negombo through vibrant scenery.
A leisurely start the next day at 7am had us to the Rock in good time for some great photos as the sun continued to rise. We climbed the nearby Pidurangala Peak for some fantastic views across the valley and of the rock itself.
After the hike up and down we were in need of some nourishment, and so perfect timing for or next stop, a local village experience, which was amazing! We were kindly welcomed into a local settlement far away from the main roads surrounded by farmer’s fields. Here we had the pleasure of watching how the locals prepare food traditionally. After the cooking demonstrations we were treated to the best food all trip! All fresh and vegetarian! Truly amazing food eaten on lily plates with our fingers. After a few hours in the intense sunshine, a few (too many) poolside drinks were in order with the group. The Rangiri Glamping Resort was in a lush setting with its own spice garden, orchards and open space for lazing and wandering.
A slightly hungover bus ride took us south towards Kandy via a very interesting stop of at a spice garden, where we were told the wonders of traditional medicine. It might be wise to be sceptical of some, but I can certainly vouch for one of the treatments. As guinea pig, a small area of my shin was covered with plant extract with hair removing capabilities, after 20 minutes it was wiped off, without any pain, taking all the hair with it leaving a silky smooth shin! For three weeks no hair grew back and I was told after three treatments on the same spot hair would never return – wonder why this is not available in our pharmacies.
We arrived to Kandy for lunchtime Dosa’s, pancake-esque bread served with different fillings and dips – most definitely worth trying! We took in the Temple of the Tooth by the lake, unfortunately we didn’t time our trip right in order to see the tooth itself… I believe it comes out once a generation!
After exhausting ourselves in the mid-day sun, more poolside drinks were needed and so we headed to our very comfortable and fancy Hotel Ozo with rooftop pool, bar and sweeping views of the surrounding countryside and city.
Continuing south to tea plantation country we stopped off at one of the Roschchild plantations and were treated to a show by a local magician. The man has no idea when the tour group should be passing through, but he always seems to know and will be walking down the road towards the plantation as the bus whizzes past him! Very amusing! What happened next was quite incredible, as you hit some hairpins climbing up the steep hillside, a local lad races the tour buses up to the summit, he cuts straight up the hillside as we wound our away around the bends! An incredibly impressive performance, he will meet you at the top with flowers in hand still intact ready to be sold to the tour buses!
After stopping at another tea plantation for exploration, photos, lunch and shopping we headed on through Nuwara Eliya to the train station for our ride on the World’s (3rd) Most Scenic Route! This was one of the main reasons for me coming to Sri Lanka and I wasn’t disappointed – the three hour journey took us through the most phenomenal scenery, almost Jurassic Park-esque at some points, dropping us off at Ella.
Ella, a lovely little town in a beautiful setting, perfect for taking in the train journey, some chill time and climbing Little Adam’s Peak for some awesome views, especially good for sunrise. Whilst in town I am sure you will check out Chill with it’s varied but incredibly tasty menu! Apparently it started out as a small restaurant but every time my tour guide passed through it was a little bit bigger and has now grown in to a super restaurant with great vibes and food. For something a little livelier we batted on to One Love Bar, which was a lot of fun dancing to a variety of tunes mainly of the reggae variety! This is another establishment which seems to grow with each tour visit.
Staying at the Flower Hotel just on the edge of town, a short TukTuk ride away, we were treated to some breath-taking views and sunsets, all the more better from the plunge pool one of the group were fortunate to have on their balcony!
Before leaving Ella we ate at Café 360 and I had my first experience of Chicken Kotu – it is now safe to say I am addicted! It is a must try, whether it be the chicken or vegetable variety – both were amazing!
After sunrise from Little Adam’s Peak we headed to Nine Arches Bridge – another bucket list item for me. We were there on a public holiday so it was busier than normal, however it was still a fantastic sight!
You can’t go to Sri Lanka without taking in a safari, we went down to Udawalawe, the sunrise safari was fun but it wasn’t patch on Africa. We saw elephants up close and personal in our jeeps but not too much else.
Continuing south we hit Dickwella beach, voted #3 in Sri Lanka. Stopping for some food, drinks and chill we spent the afternoon lazing in the sun before continuing along the coast to our amazing beachside accommodation! We were right on the beach in a small family run hotel on a massive quite beach! We almost had the whole thing to ourselves! Not to mention the good body boarding waves and amazing sunsets. Only having one night there, we made the most of it with a (semi) early night and early start. With a slightly groggy head I headed out for some 8am body boarding before walking the beach west back along to Dickwella.
A short journey took us to my (unexpected) favourite stop of the whole trip, a beachfront yoga retreat, set on a sweeping golden beach with crashing waves. The retreat was so peaceful and here I experienced 1.5 hours of sunset, beach facing mediation yoga! I was sceptical but it was a trip highlight, so peaceful relaxing and awe-inspiring! Since returning home I have (intermittently) continued with this.
As the trip neared its end we headed to our final beach-side hotel in Mirissa, positioned perfectly between the infamous Instagram spot of Coconut Point and the main beach with its many bars and restaurants. From here Welligama is perfect for some beginner surfing, rated Top 5 Beginner surfing spot in the world and you can see why (aside from the crowds). A narrow long beach lined with umpteen surf rental shops for perfectly timed breaking waves of reasonable height. After 1.5 hours sustenance was much needed and we headed to Hangtime over the road for amazing burgers and some nice roof top surf views.
Sunset Beach via TukTuk from Mirissa is the perfect hideaway spot for sunset Lion Lagers or cocktails! After some liveners during sunset we headed to the beach for food and beers, each night the party moves to a different bar and in order for the revellers to know which bar to hit the owners set off fireworks on their night, letting the party-goers where to head. After the nightly firework show, cue a mass movement towards said bar for some all-night partying!
Our final morning was spent at a Monk Monastery which was said to be a highlight of the trip. We were very fortunate to be allowed in, such places are not normally open to tourists but through contacts we could enter. Although the insight was fascinating, it felt that the young monks had been through the experience a million times and didn’t want to have to spend time or interact with us. I don’t blame them. This was a little bit of a disappointment.
Unfortunately, as we ate our final meal on the beach, everyone started dropping like flies, with 16 of 18 people getting food poisoning! As this was a tour group we ate and drank together so there is no way of knowing where or how we picked up what we did. The farewell night was sadly cut very short.
Before returning to the UK I had just enough time to stop off at Galle, the lovely coastal fortress town, which is certainly worth a visit. From my experience, Negombo isn’t worth too much time but there are some amazing hotel deals to be had whilst using the city as a jump on jump off spot close to the airport. I spent the last 1.5 days in Pledge Scape, an amazing recently opened hotel with the MOST AMAZING all you can eat buffet, I can’t stress how nice all the food was.
Highlights
Best Drink: Lion Lager Strong – aptly named (being 4% higher than it’s sister lager brand) at 8.8%. It tasted quite nice and certainly helped liven up the night.. not sure about the next days 7am wake up call..
Best Experience: beach front yoga and of course the train ride to Ella! Best Food: Chicken or Vegetable Kottu! unbelievable flavor, and a huge portion for so cheap!
