After a month of exploring Sri Lanka, we've packed our bags, ready to head back to the UK. I want to share some of the highs and lows of our adventure.
Highlights
Cheap: Our British pounds stretched remarkably far and we only spent a total of £1440 per person. The breakdown:
£750 - Etihad indirect flights (1.5 hour stop off in Abu Dhabi)
£690 - Bed & Breakfast, dinner, all transport (bus, train, taxi), cultural entrance fees, hospital treatment, laundry and grocery shopping.
The People: Incredibly warm and hospitable, very friendly and eager to help. They really enjoyed stopping for a friendly chat on the street, and we felt genuinely welcomed as English tourists.
Scenery: The views were breathtaking, particularly the hill country from a train.
Weather: Consistently hot and sunny. To avoid the intense heat, we found it best to travel very early morning.
Lovely Beaches: Beautiful and clean, though the steep drop off and powerful waves made swimming dangerous.
Transport: Buses and trains, are easily affordable. Even long distance reserved train journeys were only around £5 per person. Short bus rides cost next to nothing, but be prepared for some adventurous driving!
Lowlights
Food: The food was a bit of a disappointment. Many restaurants cater for Western stomachs - I haven't come here to eat pizza or pasta! Authentic Sri Lankan cuisine was harder to find, but when we did, it was exceptional. Unlike in Thailand, eating out isn't a strong part of Sri Lankan culture.
Dogs: You'll see my earlier blog on the fun and games we had in Sigiriya.
Tuk-Tuks: Avoid the mafia if you can. You can even rent one yourself!
Overall and Advice
Sri Lanka is a fantastic adventure, but even as a seasoned traveller, I found the logistics challenging. Be prepared for slow and sometimes chaotic transport that requires a lot of patience.
For a smoother experience, I'd recommend a two week guided tour to see the main sights, followed by a relaxing beach stay. You could even consider a short hop to the Maldives for a luxurious finale.
And now - it's back to the UK to wait for the Spring boating season to commence. 🚢
Thanks for reading 📖
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