Ella: Tea and hikes

By on Friday, February 16, 2018 in Sri Lanka | 0 comments

The train

By on Wednesday, February 14, 2018 in Sri Lanka | 0 comments

Taking at least one train journey appears obligatory for a trip to Sri Lanka and for good reason. We took the 8.47am from Kandy to Ella, a six and a half hour journey through the most stunning landscape. Snacks and lunch consisted of triangular vegetable roti parcels, egg rolls and samosas purchased at the train station and on board from roaming vendors washed down with deliciously sweet and milky tea. Necessary after that much fried food. What you might need to know Book way in advance. We were in 1st class, which was all seated, but our friends in 2nd told us that crowds of people without reservations had to stand in corridors for the entire journey. We later met a couple who’d jumped ship a few stations early and taken a car the rest of the way as they couldn’t stand any longer. Take warm clothes if travelling in 1st. The air conditioning is brutal! There is limited luggage space. If you’re travelling with a small case or rucksack you can put it on the overhead racks but large suitcases may need to stay alongside you in the corridor. Not ideal. What I’d do differently Although you can see the view from the window in 1st, it’s obscured by thick windows that don’t open – since it’s air conditioned. On a cooler day, as it was when we were there, a seat in 2nd with an opening window probably would have provided better photo...

Kandy

By on Tuesday, February 13, 2018 in Sri Lanka | 0 comments

Ancient sites

By on Monday, February 12, 2018 in Sri Lanka | 0 comments

Negombo overnighter

By on Sunday, February 11, 2018 in Sri Lanka | 0 comments

I had no desire to explore Colombo so we opted for an overnight stay in a suburb of Negombo, near the airport, and moved straight on to Dambulla the next morning. Surprisingly, we had the best breakfast of our trip at the small guesthouse here, enjoyed alongside the picturesque canal with a backdrop of Sunday hymns wafting across from a church on the other side. The hotel was in a suburb and not in central Negombo, which was my expectation when booking. We only had a brief look around and the beach wasn’t up to much It wasn’t somewhere I’d choose to spend more than a night or two – if the hotel had a pool. Although I hear that there are a few sightstuk tuk to the market and St Mary’s Church and maybe a boat trip on the lagoon. Where we stayed Serendip Village Guest House had a very large room and a warm welcome very late at night! The room was a bit noisy thanks to a neighbourhood dog but this was made up for with the delicious breakfast in a wonderful setting by the river. What I’d do differently Get there earlier! Some time by the pool, an evening out nearby and a good night’s sleep would have been a good idea after a 19 hour journey....

Notes on Sri Lanka

By on Friday, February 9, 2018 in Sri Lanka | 0 comments

Over the Tet holidays in 2018, we spent two amazing weeks in Sri Lanka. For months before, I scoured online resources looking for hints and tips on destinations, activities, food, costs, and everything in between. Of course, there is a wealth of information out there, some of it more useful and reader-friendly than others, but there were still surprises and things I might have done differently had I known what I know now. So these posts are intended as a practical guide with a bit of a story thrown in. It’s a repository for my memories and photos but also, hopefully, of use to anyone else considering a trip.