SULTRY, SEXY & FULL OF SURPRISES

SRI-LANKA
As they say, a land like no other

12 Nights/13 Days

WHY GO?
For all things elephant
For Visa on Arrival
For whale-watching
For the signature Sri-Lankan spirit Arrack
For well-maintained ruins and world heritage sites
For Scuba-diving, Snorkeling and Surfers Beaches
For the joy of currency conversion 1 INR = 2 LKR (approx)
For the rice curries, lamprais, the best beef and the consequent
foodgasms
For scenic train journeys and crazy bus rides
For a quaint city within a Dutch Fort

Day 1,2,3 Colombo

We were visiting friends. This leg of the journey was more about catching
up with Vidya and Vishnu, who also happen to be impeccable hosts. Apart
from having crazy, boozy and lengthy conversations about the political
situation in Sri Lanka to the personal crisis in our lives, we shopped our
hearts out in Cotton Collection, Kelly Felders, Odel and Barefoot. We also
ate at some of the best restaurants in Colombo, thanks to our prolific
food writer friend, Vidya. To name a few, Upalis (authetic Sri Lankan
cuisine), Jack Tree (a Thai BYOB restaurant), Barefoot Caf, Dutch
Hospital, Whight & Co (the best coffee weve had after Italy with the
perfect accompaniment of a sunset). We spent the New Years Eve in
Negombo, located at a two hours drive from Colombo. Negombo is to
Colombo what Goa is to Mumbai.
Day 4 The high point of Diptis trip The Pinnawala Elephant
Orphanage. Journeying with the gentle giants to the river to watch them
bathe in the open is nothing short of meditative. This was a half-day affair
after which we proceeded to Sigiriya and checked-in at Travel House
Sigiriya ( via Airbnb).

Day 5 Trekked the Sigiriya Rock (180 meters), held as Ravanas palace
and checked in at Hideout Sigiriya. Swam in the pool and had an Arrack
cocktail by the manmade lake in the neighbouring Jetwing Hotel.
Day 6 - Explored a constituent of the cultural triangle of Central Sri
Lanka the ruins of Polonnaruwa situated in a compact green zone.
Best explored with a bicycle.
Day 7 Back to Colombo for a day.
Day 8 We experienced one of our best train rides during our commute
from Colombo to Galle. The railway track sidles along the seaside during
the course of the entire journey. Reached Galle, an atmospheric city
located with the confines of an ancient Dutch Fort. Checked in at the
Fort Dew Villa. Delved into the old world charm of the Galle Fort area
and visited quaint places like the Hammock Bar and Caf in the Dutch
Hospital precinct of Galle.
Day 9 Checked in at the Sea Green Guesthouse. Shopped. Again.
Thanks to Galle and Colombo, we realised that Sri Lanka is very
underrated when it comes to shopping. It wouldnt be an exaggeration
to say that Sri Lanka is the new Bangkok.

Day 10 Oh hello, beaches. Unawatuna Beach. In Sri Lanka, you

have a more upmarket version of shacks Cabanas. Checked in at
the Happy Banana Cabana. This place is full of properties with
comical names. Explored a tonne of the stay options and booked
our stay at the Tartaruga, dangerously and exhilaratingly close to
the waves, for the next day.
Day 11 Checked in at Tartaruga. Visited Jungle Beach a mini
trek through a jungle leads to a small stretch of a beach of the
Castaway variety excellent for swimming and snorkeling.
Shirodhara and a full body massage at the Thambapanni Spa.
Day 12 The high point of Ronys trip whale watching at Mirissa.
Booked a cruise with Raja and the Whales. Started at 5.30 am.
Had breakfast onboard along with the good fortune of seeing 5
blue whales and over 200 dolphins in the ocean. The intimate size
of the group makes Raja and the Whales the best choice, apart
from its adherence to international guidelines for whale watching.
Spent the rest of the day at the surfers beach - Mirissa.
Day 13 Back to Colombo to fly back to India.