SRI-LANKA SOJOURN

SULTRY, SEXY & FULL OF SURPRISES

SRI-LANKA As they say, a land like no other12 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.