Lonely Planet -Sri Lanka

There are so many reasons to visit Sri Lanka. But our trip was totally unexpected and sudden Plan for our anniversary trip.

So I didn’t have any expectations but it turned out to be an memorable one

Endless white sand beaches with pumping surf. Lush tropical jungle and misty mountain towns .

Ancient world Heritage sites and safari plains where Asian Elephants and Leopards roam in abundance. Vibrant cultural heritage .

The friendliest locals you could ever hope to meet plus delicious food and fruits everywhere you look.

I see so many posts gushing about this destination (I’m guilty of it too), I believe it’s important to write honestly and to give a well-rounded perspective of the places we visit, otherwise you may as well just read an advert. So here goes…

FOOD

Sri Lankan food is OUT. OF. THIS. WORLD!!!!

Everywhere you go, you’ll find delicious food and curries made with the freshest natural ingredients, all accompanied by rice of course.

If you’re a vegetarian or vegan, you’ll have no shortage of choices like my favourites – potato curry, garlic curry and dhal.

Carnival-Ice cream -If you’re a ice cream lover it’s a must visit in Colombo

I was very happy when we found Taco Bell near our stay Marino Beach Colombo with amazing sea view .

Our most fav food..

(Unless someone don’t make me remember Ross (F.R.I.E.N.D.S)😂

Coconut features heavily in Sri Lankan food and I think coconut milk is my new favourite ingredient!

And despite eating a lot whilst I was there, I actually lost a bit of weight because of the unprocessed food (and maybe the fact that coconut is a natural laxative)!

you also need to try rotti, kotthu and my favourite, egg hoppers

For a refreshing drink try King Coconut or fresh lime juice – the ginger ale is a Kick! Also known as a Sri Lankan Special.

The local non-alcoholic beer is EBG Elephant Ginger Beer

THE GALLERY CAFE

Geoffrey Bawa personally approved the take over of his beloved property and it’s conversion into a gallery and restaurant by Paradise Road Chairman and designer, Udayshanth Fernando.

It’s all website picture because my photos didn’t do justice to this beautiful place !

With a respect for Fernando’s design sense, Bawa was confident the building would be carefully converted, maintaining its original state with only the pavilion as an addition.

The menu is very limited for vegetarians few options but even though it tasted too good. And “ Raviolli ” is my most favourite in the whole world .

F.R.I.E.N.D.S “The Central Park ” cafe

Bits of bobs of Friends show is there, like this purple door of Monica's apartment, and the popular orange coloured couch where the gang used to hang out. 

Its not a recreation of the original Central Perk in the beloved sitcom, but something of a place that's dedicated for its fans. The food and drinks need to be improved, but aside from that, it's a good place to hang out.

SEA TURTLE HATCHERY

These one are 3 years old , our guide said,lifting a baby turtle out of the water

The tour doesn’t end without a at least one Regret!🙆🏻‍♀️This is our regret

The turtle flapped has tiny flippers as our guide gestured at me hold out my hand . I shook my head . “No”

Sri Lanka is a home to number of endemic species that can’t be found in other parts of the world. The area of Sri Lanka west coast sees particularly high level of sea turtles

We wanted to see them on our visit. I had seen photos of the tiny little guys in the palms of people’s hands on Instagram.I wanted to see flapping across the sand to the sea. Because why wouldn’t you right?

They said you wanna lift them and I thought how much people would have lift .We said No thanks

But the moment we paid entrance for hatchery visit I regretted the visit

Alone and solemn

Reward for being a rare breed (Albino)is having to live in the tank for whole life

It’s not inviting with concrete wall. It soon turned sour .We both regretted it

Sri Lanka is Full of Natural Beauty

Flying into Sri Lanka, the air was a bit misty, but all I could see was a sea of green surrounded by white coastline.

I had expected palm trees and beaches, but I didn’t expect it to be so lush and green and hilly as far as the eye could see! 

Its a place to relax not to rave .

It was monsoon season, so we didn’t even see it in all of it’s sunny, azure blue water and peachy sunset glory, yet it was still stunning!

The beaches were gorgeous if a little windswept from the monsoon

You Can Always Get a Good Cup of Tea - Nuwara Eliya

You’ve probably heard of Ceylon tea which naturally taste good

If you’re interested to see how the tea is made, you can take a tour of one of the many tea plantations.

We visited in Galle & Nuwara Eliya

And we had “Joey Special” two pizza from a small cafe .It became more like a Food Blog

SAFARI

I love going on safari. Sri Lanka has an abundance of national parks teeming with animals and it’s one of the best places in the world to see elephants and leopards in the wild.

We visited Yala National Park on the south coast and within minutes of entering the park, we’d spotted a leopard.

We only saw a couple of elephants in Yala, but we did see two very rare and very cute sloth bears – you know, like Baloo from the Jungle Book! And one thing I really loved about Yala, was the stunning beach at the edge of the park!

OLD TOWN GALLE

This dutch fort town is worth a day to explore and wonder around.

The small streets offer up churches, cute cafes and some fine dining options whilst compare to new town

SIGRIYA FORT

My favourite was the hike up to the top of Sigiriya Rock Fortress, where the views from the top will take your breath away! Even if it did feel like I was going to die because my head might explode from the heat

there’s a reason my face isn’t in any pictures – I looked like a tomato

I was in constant fear of the hornets that build nests hanging from the cliff face.

GEOFFREY BAWA-AN ARCHITECT

One of the most favourite architect of mine .My architect geeky side peeking out

Despite his late entry into architecture, explored modernism and its cultural implications and created a unique, recognizable style of design which had a lasting impact on architects across the world.

I love his surprise Elements in each work

Well versed in Modernist theory,

Bawa was one of the original proponents of Tropical Modernism a design movement in which sensitivity for local context combines with the form-making principles of modernism.

Bawa’s architecture led to the formation of a new architectural identity and aesthetic for many tropical environments, and won him recognition and awards

We even visited some of his works like Bewis Bava house , The gallery cafe etc..

Le Grand Galle / Marino Beach ,Columbo

We stayed at the two beautiful hotel Marino beach with sea front ,amazing breakfast view with saw front ,railway line Full of Christmas vibes & amazing food .And Marino Mall is at back so we can reach in lift which is cool for shopping & food

Mountain & Sea side view Le Grand ,Galle is an epitome of scenic beauty , the only downfall is food very less options for Vegetarians.

And we stayed during our anniversary with a romantic beautiful view & A yummy cake I won’t complain about that

CULTURE HERITAGE

We visited may culture heritage place in Nuwar Eliya & Colombo.But my most favourite temple is

Gangaramaya Templeis one of the most important temples in Colombo,Sri Lanka being a mix of modern architecture and cultural essence. Located on the Biera Lake it was completed in the late 19th century

The temple's architecture demonstrates an eclectic mix of Sri Lankan, Thai, Indian, and Chinese architecture.

It has the main features of a Vihara (temple) the Cetiya (Pagada) the Bodhitree, the Vihara Mandiraya, the Seema malaka (assembly hall for monks) and the Relic Chamber.

In addition, a museum a library, a residential hall, a three storeyed Pirivena, educational halls and an alms hall are also on the premises.

Most notable for tourists is the architecture of the Simamalaka Shrine, which was built with donations from a Muslim sponsor to the design of Geoffery Bawa

SITA AMMAN TEMPLE -Ashoka Vatika

With reference to the Ramayana proof of Sri Lanka it is believed that the Sita devi was kept captive at this site by King Ravana.

There is a stream by the side of the temple where that runs from the hill, catered to the needs of Sita Devi during her stay at Ashok Vatika. She is also said to have bathed in this stream. About a century ago of three idols were discovered in the stream.

BOOKING TOUR

Whilst arranging tours once you arrive in Sri Lanka can sometimes prove a challenge outside of big cities, it is by no means impossible andthere are plenty of local operators for you to track down.

I arranged most my tours, such as tea-fields and Safari on arrival to a destination by chatting to local rickshaw or taxi drivers.

POST SCRIPT

• Click the picture for the zoom in the blog.

• It’s not a party kinda place don’t expect any night life .Its a place to relax not to rave .

• Taste local foods like hoppers, Kothu Rotti & EGB If you love ginger ale

• Go to north to get away from crowds.

• Get active-Surfing ,Rafting ,Cycling