Sri Lanka, The Pearl of the Indian Ocean, as it’s also known, had always been on my travel bucket list, so when I got the opportunity to go, I was beyond excited.
Our trip was off to a great start, flying with Singapore Airlines via Singapore’s Changi Airport (which just so happens to be one of my favourite airports), into Sri Lanka and our first night staying in Negombo near the airport due to our late-night arrival.
On our first full day in Sri Lanka, we left Negombo for Pinnawala, where we visited the famous Elephant Orphanage – a captive breeding and conservation institute for wild Asian elephants. Learning all about the elephants in the orphanage and then watching them bathe in the river while having lunch was an experience I’ll never forget. There is something so magical about watching these incredible animals, and it was just the start to what would become one of my favourite destinations.
From Pinnawala, we made our way to Kandalama, where we stayed a night in the gorgeous Hertiance Kandalama. This beautiful property is set high amongst the forest where the balcony doors must remain locked at night – otherwise, the monkeys will break in, and break in they did try. That night, we could hear them playing with the furniture on the balcony and the door handles, trying to get the door open.
Next stop on our trip was the Sigiriya Rock Fortress. This UNESCO World Heritage site sits about 200 metres high and has the remains of a fortress palace on its summit. The climb to the top certainly got the heart racing, but it was very well worth it for the picturesque views of the surrounding landscape.
From here we went on to Dambulla Royal Cave Temple, the largest and best-preserved cave temple in Sri Lanka and a UNESCO World Heritage site. It’s a sacred Buddhist site carved into caves from as early as the third century BC. There are 5 different cave rooms with beautifully preserved paintings on the ceilings and surrounding rocks, and over 150 Buddha statues.
The following day, we made our way south through the green countryside through small villages to Kandy. En route to Kandy, we stopped at the Matale Spice Garden, where we were taken on a tour of the garden, where the guide explained all the different herb and spice plants and their medicinal uses in Ayurvedic medicine.
No trip to Sri Lanka would be complete without a stop at a tea plantation where sampling the many different types of tea is a must, including Ceylon White Tea, one of the rarest and most expensive teas in the world. As a tea lover, this was another big tick for me.
Kandy is known for its sacred Buddhist sites, with the most well-known being the Temple of the Tooth Relic. This city is a buzz of activity, with bustling markets and traditional dances. If you enjoy shopping on your holiday, Kandy is a great place to do it, particularly if you are looking for handicrafts, gemstones, jewellery, souvenirs and batik textiles.
From Kandy, it was more driving through the country’s villages. Each village was of a different religion, whether it be Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam or Christianity. There were different statues throughout each village to show their faith. I loved it and found that side of their history so fascinating.
Once we arrived in the charming seaside city of Galle, we went straight to the Galle Dutch Fort, another UNESCO World Heritage site. The fort is a fascinating blend of culture and history, with a very multi-cultural history, initially built by the Portuguese, taken over by the Dutch then the English. For those who enjoy history, this is a must, but with the boutique shops and restaurants, there is something for everyone. The Maritime Museum in Galle was well worth the visit and it’s located right next to the fort. Galle is a great city to walk around, exploring art galleries and local artisan shops.
Our last couple of days were spent relaxing beachside at one of the beautiful beachside resorts before heading back to Colombo. We did have a morning shopping for Batik textiles in Colombo, where I found some great pieces before our evening flight out.
There is still so much of Sri Lanka left to experience, but in the short time we did have, we thoroughly enjoyed every moment. Sri Lanka is now one of my favourite destinations, and I cannot wait to go back and explore more!
