Let’s face it: travel has its ups and downs. And Sri Lanka is no exception. But thinking about the trip most of my memories are of recovery. Although it was hard at times – I’d take advantage of these moments at home or at work any day! Here are some of my favorite experiences and places in Sri Lanka:
Sigiriya
Sigiriya blew my mind! Located in the central province of Sri Lanka, Sigiriya is an old abandoned city complex at the base of a huge granite boulder. The origins of the site are disputed – it is either the castle and palace of a former 5th-century king, a Buddhist monastery, or both. After seeing it in the flesh, I think it could have been both. Legend has it that in AD 477, King Kasyapa chose the site for his new capital, building his palace on top of an enormous rock. He decorated the sides with colorful frescoes and on a large plateau halfway up the side of the rock, he built a gate (to the palace) in the shape of a lion. Today Sigiriya is listed as a World Heritage Site and is one of the best preserved sites in the world. It is also the most visited historical site in Sri Lanka. Sigiriya was a highlight for me – I’ve always been fascinated by ancient civilizations (thanks to my ancient history lessons at school). Climbing the rock was challenging, but stopping regularly for water breaks made it a lot easier. We didn’t hire a local guide but we were able to navigate the site and climb up the rock easily enough on our own. From the rock we got stunning views of the countryside which made the big climb worth it!
Ella
Everything about Ella is beautiful. It is a small village in the Sri Lankan Hill Country surrounded by rolling mountains, mesmerizing vegetation and crystal clear waterfalls. With a few restaurants and shops, there is not much to do in Ella but you can just relax and enjoy the view. We only spent one night in Ella, on The View, which had stunning views of the valley and surrounding mountain peaks. On the way to Ella we passed tea plantations, pristine waterfalls and small villages. The villages around Ella are heavily influenced by Dutch colonialism and are very interesting to look at. The combination of Holland inspired infrastructure and mountain peaks made you feel like you were somewhere in Europe – it’s so surreal! Ella got two thumbs up from me…it’s awesome!
Arugam Bay
Arugam Bay is one of the most beautiful beaches I’ve been to and great for swimming and surfing. The water was deliciously warm and the beach mostly uncrowded. There are also free deck chairs dotted along the beach perfect for soaking up the sun and reading! During the day we spent hours swimming and surfing in the sun and at night we sat in bars and restaurants listening to music and making friends. Arugam Bay has a great atmosphere and is much more relaxed than other parts of Sri Lanka. It was nice to walk around in shorts and a T-shirt (unlike other areas) and there were more bars and restaurants than anywhere else we visited. The only downside was the accommodation which was quite expensive (due to it being high season) and the heat was also stifling at times. All in all we had a great time here and I would recommend it to beach lovers and surfers!
