SRI LANKA

Savour the unique experiences this treasure island offers : From Wild to Pristine to Thrills to Festive to Bliss to Scenic to Heritage to Essence.

“Ayubowan” Aayu-bo-wan (Sinhalese phrase for 'Hello')

I planned Sri Lanka visit for the 2021 holidays, after the covid situation was under control and travel was safe again.

I contacted a travel company there, got the itenary, modified as per my preferences. This country can be fully explored within a month.

> Booked round-trip from India to Colombo. Sri-Lanka provides visa on-arrival, but its always better to get it before you travel. This can be done through govt. website, takes approx. 7 working days if travel details are clear.

> The money conversion options are available at the airport but costly, there are better deals in the market area. Or you may transfer amount to the travel company (in $) and they can keep some cash ready for you.

> Buy a local sim with good internet plan, stores available at Bandaranaike airport.

Day 1

Reached Colombo (25.12.21)

Check-in to hotel and unwind, let the air travel tiredness go off and get energy charge-up.

If you choose stay in Colombo do visit the 'Ministry of Crabs', this is the main branch proudly called 'headquarter' of its chain throughout the globe. You will need to pre-plan and book a table on that particular day and time of visit. It is quite popular you see. :D

Take a evening long walk around the city, it is safe and has beautiful gardens around.

Day 2

Colombo-Dambulla-Sigiriya (26.12.21)

On the way from Colombo to Dambulla take a pit-stop on the roadside locals eateries. Taste the Sri Lankan Local food and the refreshing black tea.

To visit Dambulla cave temple you need to climb uphill which takes aroung 10-15 minutes. Its well preserved and still functioning today after nearly 2000 years.

Dress-code : Dress-up modestly when visiting temples of Sri Lanka. You can’t wear shorts and need to cover your shoulders.

There are no services at the top, take along your drinking water and snacks if you are staying for long.

Dambulla Cave Temple and Dambulla Rock Temple are two different names for exactly the same place. You might also hear cave temple and cave temples since there are, in fact, five separate caves.

If you plan to stay another day in Dambulla, do get the experience of Hot Air Balloon over Sri Lanka.

Link for details: Sri Lanka Balloon

We move forward to entering the world heritage sight Sigirya. You need to climb the 19th century rock fortress which was palace built by King Kashyapa-I.

Day ends with relaxing pool time after the hiking day.

Day 3

Sigiriya-Trincomalee-Kandy (27.12.21)

Start by visiting Thirukonamalai Konesar Temple, Trincomalee.

On the way spend time on the beachside relaxing, getting to know the Culture, history, living, food etc.

Day 4

Kandy-Nuwara Eliya (28.12.21)

Visit 'The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic' in morning when the ceremonial offerings and prayers are given.

The Kandy Esala Perahera: If you plan to visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic around July or August, don’t miss the Perahera, a parade where the golden casket walks the street on elephant back. A very unique celebration, the festival hosts fire dances and various cultural events, with elephants dressed in unique garments.

The Peradeniya Royal Botanical Gardens is home to an array of exotic and the most eye-catching blooms and plants. Spend a peaceful time walking around.

Visit the Bhakta Hanuman Temple in Ramboda to witness the 18 feet Hanuman statue.

Traditionally, Hanuman was not much popular among Sri Lankan Tamil devotees because he devastated parts of the island with his burning tail. But in recent times Hindu missionaries and local Tamil spiritual leaders began building shrines for worshipping Hanuman in Sri Lanka also.

Next stop was at Ramboda waterfall, its most spectacular during the rainy season, when rainwater swells the cascade.

Nuwara Eliya, the gateway to the tea country hill station of Sri Lanka.

Day ends at Victoria Park, an elegantly landscaped garden filled with lovely blooms.

Day 5

Nuwara Eliya-Ella-Katargama (29.12.21)

Ella has epic scenery and hikes in the region, Ella Rock & Little Adam’s Peak.

Day ends in Katargama.

Day 6

Katargama-Bentota (30.12.21)

Visit to Yala National Park and its Jungle safari is a memorable experience.

Galle : Inside the fortifications is Sri Lanka’s best-preserved colonial UNESCO town; a grid of streets lined with beautiful white and pale, pastel yellow villas topped with red-tile roofs.

Galle fort : In stark contrast to the busy, tuk-tuk-filled streets of the main city, Fort is like stepping back in time to an ambiguous European settlement.

Meetiyagoda is the home to the waterlogged pits where the moonstones are mined since 1906. The only source of blue-white moonstones to the world.

For lunch the 'Mangrove Cave Seafood Restaurant' is highly recommended.

Day 7

Bentota-Colombo (31.12.21)

Spent the rest of the exploring musuems, temples, monastry and reached Negombo.

Day 8

Negombo (01.01.22)

Exploring Chilaw, the coastal town is known for its culturally diverse background.

Spent the evening leisure exploring the markets, buying souvenirs, rewinding the journey.

Day 9

Journey Ends :'( (02.01.22)

Excerpts from my journal written while waiting to board the flight back home.

Sri Lanka is all about exhilarating adventure. Endless white-sand beaches with pumping surf. Lush tropical jungle where Asian Elephants roam in abundance. The infinite kindness of people. Sri Lanka truly lives up to its name as 'the pearl of the Indian Ocean'.