Sri Lanka at last!!!

Oh man, procrastination is a bitch! I started writing this post ten times already, but then I found an interesting article about tsunami in Sri Lanka and that led to exploring islands in the Indian Ocean, which led to planning my escape and traveling the world and then seasons change and Sri Lanka is still on my to do list.

It was about time to get my youth back and treat myself to a little trip. I needed some relaxing time on the beach, hiking, yoga etc. and Sri Lanka is the perfect spot for it. Moreover this TRAVELING blog finally serves its purpose again!

We decided to take it easy, so there isn't so much to write about the preparation period. However we followed couple of simple rules. First was to get out of Colombo city as fast as possible. Rule number two was to use tuk tuk drivers as our accommodation agents. Rule number three was to eat as much tropical fruit as possible. Rule number four was to use public transportation (taking a bus is a memorable experience, filled with music and joy on a bumpy Sri Lankan roads). And finally rule number five was to relax, or may I say “Srilax”.

People of Sri Lanka are happy and friendly. However sometimes they see you as a moving dollar, so a little distance and a clear head is always good. But don’t miss out on amazing stories...it was heart breaking to listen to tsunami stories, mafia issues, religion etc.
 

Our trip was a small circle around southwestern part of the island.

We took a train from Negombo via Colombo to Akurala. There was an old man who found three lost souls at the train station with no real plan where to go and he offered us a place to stay. So we followed him to Akurala. Everyone carries around a little guest-book and a really unrealistic picture of how their accommodation looks like. The reality is far from what they assure you is a #nofilter picture.

Negombo

Akurala is a small village with one nice beach, where we spent most of our time. At one occasion locals were climbing on a coconut tree to get us fresh coconuts, we drank arak with them, became a part of the funeral preparation and got a Sri Lankan dad who almost adopted us.

 

We visited a turtle farm near Hikkaduwa, and got to hear a touching story from the owner, who lost everything and everyone in the tsunami demolition, but kept running this place.

It was time to move forward to Tangalle. We were on a party bus, which included colorful lights and Sri Lankan music. I think there was a disco ball next to the driver and we were moving and grooving all the way to Tangalle. On the way there you see famous fisherman's on stilts, who are doing more modeling than the actual fishing.  

Tangalle

It’s well worth visiting safari - Yala. We woke up at 3am, to be there at dawn when animals are still able to walk around and you can see the nature at its best. 

There were all kinds of beautiful birds, elephants, giraffes, monkeys, buffaloes etc. To save some money we got our Sri Lankan “friend” (we drank arak together, which was a really deep bonding experience, therefore he deserves a friend label) to take us to Yala national park with his little tuk tuk. I was amazed that this little vehicle made it through the storm and more so, that we all came there in one piece.

We took a bus ride from Tangalle to Ella.

Ella makes my heart burst with joy. This small village is high up in the mountains, surrounded by tea plantations and beautiful nature. I had a vision of spending my pension there, reading books and drinking tea. Ella has a lot to offer, you can go for a hike to the Little Adams Peak, walk around the tea plantations, eat the most delicious food or see the waterfall.

We also visited the Halpe tea factory, which is accessible by 5 km long walk from Ella. Workers there and as far as I know in most of Sri Lankan tea factories are extremely underpaid, to the extend that some consider such work a slavery.

Our last stop was Kandy. I would recommend taking a train from Ella to Kandy. You can see more plantations and a beautiful countryside all the way to the big city. 

I don’t know what was in Sri Lankan air but I was constantly sleepy, so unfortunately every little bump on the road or a trail made me pass out. Therefore I only saw the first 5 minutes of this ride. But my friends told me it was breathtaking.

Kandy

Dambulla cave temple