2024AUG Sri Lanka
- Itinerary
- DAY 0: Pre-trip
- DAY 1: Colombo
- DAY 2: Nuwara Eliya
- Day 3: Ella (WIP)
- Day 4: Ella (WIP)
- Day 5: Arugam Bay (WIP)
- Day 6: Trincomalee (WIP)
- Day 7: Sigiriya (WIP)
- Day 8: Negombo (WIP)
- Constraints on trip
Itinerary
Colombo --> Nuwara Eliya --> Ella --> Arugam Bay --> Trincomalee --> Sigiriya --> Negombo --> Colombo
The itinerary was made to avoid rainfall in all but the North-Eastern beaches. Since Sri Lanka has only one international airport, returning to Colombo was unavoidable, necessitating a circular route. We then expanded the itinerary to include more cities and activities, based on the availability of accommodations for our group of six.
An itinerary focused on pilgrimage or historic architecture would have looked quite different from what we planned.
DAY 0: Pre-trip
Considering the weather and destinations, we all packed:- raincoats
- flip-flops
- power banks
- swimsuits
- clothes enough to last 7-8 days
- international travel adapters
- payment cards (forex, visa)
- instax mini and films for instant photographs.
- bose soundflex speakers for playing music while we travel between locations
DAY 1: Colombo
Reached Colombo at around 1 PM. Bought a sim card for cellphone. Turned out to be a great investment if your cab/driver doesn't provide wifi. Also converted currency to Lankan Rupees (LKR).Lunch at the trusty pizza hut at the airport.
Dinner at a local roadside eatery. Tried kottu - mashed paratha dish that reminds me of roti poha. Came with a spicier chutney on the side.
Travelled to Nuwara Eliya late into the night.
DAY 2: Nuwara Eliya
Reached at Seven Oaks (map) airbnb late night by 12:30am. Windy road up the mountains. Played slow cozy hindi music for everyone to sleep. Crashed immediately when I hit the bed. Great place. Clean, spacious and wooden aesthetics. A lot of nice rugs and heaters to keep you warm.
Woke up to a beautiful morning at our airbnb's huge lawn and a mountain view. Sketched the landscape.
Themparadu (map)
Breakfast at Themparadu near Lake Gregory. Loved their Hang on the Tree tomato drink. Very unique flavour of their local tomato variety.
Gregory lake (map)
Paddle boats with a gorgeous view at Gregory lake.
Windy scenic hilly roads on our way to Ella. Got some flovoured tea packs as souvenirs.
Went through multiple difficult 180 degree bends to reach Happy Stones Airbnb at night. Followed the map and directions provided by the host to reach the stay.
The host was kind enough to cook for us after the long hours of traveling for the day. Had a hearty meal at their cozy common room. Played the piano after dinner. Played contact with friends before calling it a day. Here's a picture of us walking to the stay using flashlights. Saw fireflies for the first time in our lives. Mesmerizing.
Day 3: Ella (WIP)
Had an early morning coffes. Rotties with Daal and coconut chutney for breakfast. Headed towards 9 Arches bridges. Rainfall. Through the forest
- Rotti for Breakfast
- Cafe; Chinese whisper
- 9 arches bridge
- Leeches
- Picolo
- Grocery shopping at Cargills
- Books at airbnb
Day 4: Ella (WIP)
- Art books at airbnb
- Sketching
- Waterfall
- Lunch on the way to Arugam Bay: Spicy chicken curry
- Reached Riva del Sole, Whiskey beach in the evening
- Salty Restaurant
Breezy. Blue. Clear beaches. Brownish-yellow coast - sand mixed with rock sediments which were super soft to walk on. One could hear a loud boom from afar when waves crash into each other.
We witnessed the setting behind the beach. Red, yellow and blue strokes in the sky. The orange tinted sunlight highlighting the incoming waves and everyone on the beach.
The moon peaked through the clouds. Crabs plopping out of the sand to greet people resting on the beach and quickly making their way into the sand soon enough.
Salty Restaurant, Arugam Bay
Day 5: Arugam Bay (WIP)
- Early morning sketching at the beach.
- Left for Trincomalee
- Fort Frederick view points
- Trincomalee stay at Oceanfront Condominium, Nilavelli
- Pigeon island beach
Day 6: Trincomalee (WIP)
- Sunrise dip in the ocean.
- Scuba diving at Pigeon Island
- Evening dip in the ocean followed by pool.
- Rainbow view of the beach
- Woodfired pizzas
Sunrise. Soft orange reflections on the waves.
Dived into the waves.
Crashy yet soft waters.
When water got shoulders deep, we reached the point of wave generation.
Calm.
Quiet.
Swimming in the calm waters is incredibly soothing.
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Pigeon Island
Rocky. Coral skeletons beach. People snorkeling with their families.
Boat ride to the island from our stay at Oceanfront. Got some training for scuba diving.
Saw a fish from finding nemo.
Saw corals.
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Pigeon Island
Oceanfront Condominium
Lovely rainbows on the beach at sunset
Day 7: Sigiriya (WIP)
- Brunch at nearby restaurant in Trincomalee.
- Left for Sigiriya
- Elephant safari
- Sigiriya glamping experience.
- Reverse charades with friends.
Had fun being on the look out for elephants and estimating where they'd possibly head towards. Our guide eduacted us about the three major zones the elephants live in and travel between through the elephant corridors. Their movement depends on the seasonal availability of food(grass) and water.
"Only the male elephants have tusks unlike the african elephants where both male and females have tusks. The males get aggressive when agitated" - Our guide.
One main problem is the excess of tourists and thus the jeep and jeep drivers. Everyone wants to get a closer look at the elephants for a better view and ofc, photographs. This often leads to people chasing the elephants and scaring them back into safer areas.
Day 8: Negombo (WIP)
- Left for Negombo early morning.
- Breakfast at airbnb
- European food for lunch in Negombo.
- Pool dip in Negombo.
- Late night flight back.