Sri Lanka/ Maldives August 2024


Bonjour ladies, I hope you are well, here is my Sri Lanka diary. I decided to go to Sri Lanka out of the blue to be honest after hearing amazing things about it. I went in August even though according to google it is rainy season but I got like few days of rain over 5 weeks so it worked out perfectly. It is also low season so there was not a lot of tourist which is what I prefer.

I used Qatar Airways, flew from Orlando to Miami to Doha to Colombo (I flew economy on the way there and upgraded myself to business on the way back and it was worth every penny)

Here are the places I visited with hotel, activities and restaurant recommendation. 






Colombo 

I spent around 2 weeks in Colombo, my friend hosted me but will list below some hotel recommendation. I just hang around, explored, met some people, read, tried to understand the culture. I was not in a rush :)

Hotel recommendations:

Shangri-la Colombo

Galle Face Hotel

Maniumpathy Boutique Hotel


Restaurants:

Shang Palace at the Shangri-la - Chinese cuisine.

Cafe Kumbuk

Barefootceylon café - Love this place and they also have a really sweet store to shop sustainably.

Baguette - The French in me dragged me there for fresh bread and butter.

Basilur tea experience - Really sweet spot for an afternoon tea.

Shoulders by Harpos 

Seed Café - Great spot for healthy dish

Department of coffee 

Uncle's - Good spot for drinks.

Nikki Colombo - Modern Greek bistro.


Activities:

Pettah, it was really sweet to walk around, they also a beautiful mosque named Jami UI-Alfar, I did not get a chance to visit it but will definitely go when I am in Colombo next.

Gangaramaya temple, such a beautiful temple.

Independence square, it was a very quick trip :)

Seema Malakaya Temple


After Colombo, it was road trip time and here is the itinerary:

Kaftan bought in a local store located at the mall in Shangri-la Colombo






Galle Fort (located 2 hrs from Colombo)

Accommodation: 

Thambili house, I very much recommend this house, it is very private, the hospitality was unbelievable, and the food was delicious. I am actually looking forward to go spend like a week there. 

Excursions:

Japanese peace pagoda, is a place where you will find peace, you can just and embrace the view, meditate or even attend a chanting in the temple next to it which was a beautiful experience. (20 min ride from Galle Fort plus a little hike)

Sudharmalaya temple (located in the fort)

Galle Fort, walk around especially during sunset, you will find many restaurants around with great vibe along with the famous lighthouse.












Next destination Yala (located around 3hrs from Galle Fort)

Accommodations:

Wild Coast Tended Lodge, such a beautiful property, the service was excellent, the food was excellent, and the room was unbelievable. You can book the safaris ahead of time, I had Kasun as a guide and he was amazing, it's very important to have a guide with a beautiful energy as you do spend quite some time with them. We got to see a leopard and several elephants roaming around on the road.  

In terms of excursions, it is basically safaris and food was all at the resort.












Next destination Sigiriya (located around 5hrs from Yala)

Accommodation:

Jetwing Vil Uyana, very beautiful property, the food was also all on property.

Excursions:

Sigiriya Lion Rock, I highly suggest you get a guide to explain you everything along the way. I had a gentleman named Suranga (+94 76 607 9350) and he was amazing, very knowledgeable, spoke very good English, and he was very kind.

Climb Pidurangala Rock, if you are a solo female traveler and plan to climb early in the morning to catch the sunrise, I suggest to get a guide to come with you as it is pitch dark and several ladies that were climbing got lost as it is very dark in some area. I had Suranga coming with me. The hike was not difficult and it took us around 2 hrs total (up and down) It was an incredible experience so I highly suggest it. You have the view on the Sigiriya rock as the sun rise.

Kaudulla National Park, I got so lucky as I got to witness the "Gathering of Giants." Every year, a large amount of elephant gather around Minneriya and Kaudulla National Park for the lush green grass. You can catch them socializing, playing, it is such a precious moment to observe.

Wilpatu National Park 















Next destination Ella (located around 4hrs from Sigiriya)

Accommodation:

Nine Skies Ella, now this has to be my most favorite place I stayed, it was absolutely stunning, from the energy to the hospitality to the view to the food. This place fed my soul. I could have spent two weeks here.

I unfortunately did not do any excursions as I stayed only one night but I took the train from Ella to Nanu Oya, and what an experience. You can book the ticket at the station but if you don't want to take a chance, there is plenty of website online that will book the experience for you. If you are coming from Ella, I suggest you sit on the right side moving forward, the view is incredible and you will get to see the Nine Arches as well. I sat on the steps of the train and it was one of my favorite experience in Sri Lanka and cheapest haha. 

And then ended the trip by going back to Colombo which took around 4 hrs.











Spent few days in Colombo and left for the Maldives, it was never on my travel list but since it was an hour flight away, it was the perfect opportunity to check it out.

Accommodation: 

Huvafen Sushi, I had a wonderful time, the water was insane, it felt very private as I was mostly the only one in the water, food was excellent, I really enjoyed my stay. Now that I have been once, I do recommend going to the Maldives once if the opportunity occurs. 







And last destination before coming back home was Balapitiya. 

Accommodation:

Kumu beach, incredible property, there was literally no one on day 2 so it was awesome. It was very peaceful, energy was amazing, hospitality was incredible, the massage I got I the spa was fantastic. Basically a property I highly recommend.   


I felt very safe personally, I am not familiar with the language but you get around as most speak English. I absolutely fell in love with the energy in Sri Lanka, I loved it so much that I am partially moving there. The nature is mesmerizing, and I feel like it fuels my soul with love.  


Love,
Alpa R