Sun Kissed Skin in Sri Lanka

Carys Reid-Davies
Nov 19, 2019
6 min read

Having been to India and heard Sri Lanka was similar, I have to be honest, I wasn't too fussed with going. However, I found myself on a flight to this Asian country and completely oblivious of the adventure ahead of me.

Now, as lovely as it is to lie on a beach and relax, that's just not me. I get restless and want to explore, so I very rarely go to just one place when visiting a country. Sri Lanka was no exception. With a brimming itinerary, we started off in Galle, a city on the southwest coast which has car free streets and a truly colonial feel. But first things first, accommodation. We were taken to Villa Amma Emma which was on the outskirts of the town but it was worth the tuk tuk ride. With a gorgeous pool, spacious rooms, and dinner and massages available, we were seriously impressed.

After settling in we decided to venture into town where we walked around Galle Fort, peered into the International cricket ground and then searched the streets for ice cream. We also made our way to a nearby tea plantation where we had the most fantastic tour. Our guide was a real character and seeing how this British staple was made from plant to teabag was fascinating.

There was one opportunity we just could not pass up on, though, and that was whale watching. So one morning we got up at the crack of dawn, drove down to Mirissa and hopped on board a boat in search of these monumental creatures. There was, of course, no guarantee, but we were not disappointed.

With a pod of dolphins swarming the ocean, we caught between one and two hundred leaping out the sea and spinning in the air. It was sensational, but the showstopper was when a couple of wales joined the party. Their sheer size was breathtaking and seeing them glide through the sea was an experience like no other.

Our guides were really impressive too. They never got to close because they didn't want to scare them off but they always knew where the mammals were going to pop up. They provided us with lashings of food all morning too, so if it's something that takes your fancy, then I'd highly recommend Raja and the Whale as the company to book with.

We then continued to our next destination, but en route we came across a turtle sanctuary so we pulled in to check it out. It was such a spontaneous but brilliant decision as we were shown around different pools of the adorable creatures. Some were recovering from injury, with one having had his flipper taken off by a boat turbine engine. It was heartbreaking to see the damage humans are doing to the world with boat pollution and engines massively affecting sea life, let alone the litter that makes its way into the ocean and suffocates so many helpless animals. Aside from those injured, there was a tank full of newly born sea turtles and the minute I saw them my heart melted. They were so precious and I really admired all the work these Sri Lankan's were doing to try ensure their safety. However, if you are looking to go to a turtle sanctuary you will have to be careful as many are money making schemes as they know they'll attract tourists. In such establishments the turtles are kept for longer than they should before being released back to sea in order to entice holiday goers, and many die in the crowded conditions. So be warned and do your research.

After that detour it was on to Tangalle where we stayed at the Marakolliya Beach Mangrove. This place was beyond breathtaking and as a result we didn't really leave because with a private beach and the sea just a few steps from our room, what more could you want? Getting to the beach huts was an adventure in itself as a bridge had collapsed and was currently being rebuilt. This meant we had to park up and use a wooden float to guide us to the other side of a lake.

Then it was into a tuk tuk with music blaring out of the speakers until we arrived a couple minutes later. The white sand and turquoise sea looked like a photo-shopped picture so we soaked it all in whilst wandering down the picturesque stretch.

Now being turtle lovers, we heard that there was a special section of beach a ten minute drive away where you could actually watch turtles lay their eggs. So as the night drew in, off we trundled. For a long time we were waiting in darkness as lightning struck the sky and created a seriously atmospheric night. All of a sudden, though, we were called forward as a female turtle released her eggs into the sandy pit she'd created. She then laboriously made her way out of the nest and used all the muster she had left to get back to sea. It was incredible.

Already it felt like we'd seen so much. The Sri Lankan people were so friendly and did all they could to help us, the cuisine was delicious and the scenery was unbelievable. I was wondering how whale watching, the birth of turtles and staying in a beach hut surrounded by paradise could be topped, but somehow it could. We had a long drive to Udawalawe National Park, but once we were there we were in prime location. Staying on a sugar plantation, we had a seriously special glamping experience. With candle lit dinners and a ready made tent with beds and a toilet out the back, it was perfect.

However, before we could settle in we were guided into a jeep so we could benefit from a couple hours of safari early evening. Our guide was called Muru and he ended up being out personal tour guide for all the safari's we did during our stay. He was unbelievably passionate and beyond charismatic. He even let me drive the jeep one afternoon! He also talked to the animals as he had perfected their sounds down to a T. During our few days of 6AM safaris we feasted our eyes on countless elephants, alligators, buffaloes, monkeys, water monitors and peacocks. We also visited the elephant sanctuary nearby and got to see them being fed. The whole safari experience really was amazing but before I knew it we were off to the next destination; the jungle.

With our first downpour of the trip, we drove into some torrential tropical rain. I'd never seen anything like it but unlike Britain, it didn't last all day. A mere 20 minutes later and we were back to sunshine (don't you just love the weather abroad)? We got ourselves into the Sinharaja Rainforest-Bedda Eco Cottages which were so luxurious. Overlooking an impressive river, you really knew you were in jungle territory.

We got up early the next day for a hike through the rainforest where we saw all sorts of creepy crawlies and ended at a plunge pool right in the heart of all the vegetation. Once again I had been blown away by what this country has to offer, from beaches to safaris to the rainforest, it was just outstanding.

After all the early starts, hiking through jungle terrain and camping in Udawalawe, we were ready for some TLC so we made our way to the blissful Bentota. Here we stayed at Amal Beach Hotel which, as the name suggests, was right on a beach. The beach, however, was behind a train track so every so often a train would wizz past which was great fun to see. It was a bit of luxury which we were definitely craving but we did still manage to fit in a river boat tour where I was able to hold a baby crocodile (cool, huh)! We also had an interesting encounter with a herbal doctor who was able to guess the most amazing facts about us just by looking at our palms (maybe magic really does exist)!?

We decided that the last leg of this adventure would be done by train so we boarded the two hour train to Colombo for just 23p (now is that a bargain or what)! We were simply staying here as our flight was from Colombo the next day but we were really thankful to have had an evening in the capital city.

We really got a feel for Colombo by wondering around until we decided it was time to pack up. Back at the hotel, we noticed a rooftop pool so as the sun set on Sri Lanka we sipped cocktails and swam. It was the perfect way to end our trip and I could hardly believe that in 24 hours I'd be returning to London. We'd seen such a huge amount of the country and yet there was still so much I was desperate to see. The two weeks had flown by and I could easily have stayed two months!

I know that when most people think of Asia the likes of Thailand, Japan and India spring to mind. However, Sri Lanka is a real hidden gem which is yet to be spoilt by tourism, so get there quick before it's crowded and swamped with Burger King's!