Sri Lanka- tropic abundance in one small island

03.03.2020.

Can you imagine a land filled with beautiful beaches, picturesque mountains rich with life and fields ever so green? That’s not enough, particular temples spread up in the most unique places.

Even the river life brings the most unusual animals and the crystal blue lakes hide somewhere beneath the all or spice up with the seaside atmosphere.

Traveling around Sri Lanka can be understood by three words: trains, buses and tuk-tuk.

How to travel around Sri Lanka

Trains are available at most places except from seaside places like Mirissa towards Ella. The scenic train ride Ella- Kandy or Kandy-Ella should not be missed and train tickets can easily get bought before the departure. You risk the chance to get the overcrowded train which is the most common situation at Sri Lanka.

I travelled at overcrowded and almost empty trains as well. As I got to the train station in Ella one day before, all tickets were gone for Kandy. But I could still come directly in the morning, half an hour before to get the standing position. I decided to stay one more day in Ella rather than experiencing the noisy Kandy and still managed to get the ticket with not so crowded train. Surprise, as the same train goes to Colombo the next day before going to the airport I had only floor to choose. Prices varies between first, second and the third class, precisely 250 rupies for the second class (1,50 euro), 150 rupies for the third class (0,80 eura) and 18 euro for the first class.

Bus from Mirissa ie. nearby Matara to Ella was also overcrowded but it was nice 4-hour drive. From Unawatuna to Mirissa my choice was also bus (train was available but quite away from my hostel at Mirissa) and it was 1 hour standing journey in the first row. But I would mention also, the heavy rain accompanied me to the bus even though in January it’s not the rainy season. Buses rather than trains should be recommended as on these short lines buses are much more often.

What to visit at Sri Lanka

My first idea was to visit only Mirissa at the seaside but checking out the hostels I included Bentota and Unawatuna also, so glad I did.

Negombo- seaside town near the airport

Negombo is closer to the airport than Colombo but you can freely jump it. From Colombo to the airport with the bus leaving from the main train station I needed 1 hour but it was not straight to the airport. The bus left at the last place for tuk-tuks so I needed 10 minutes walk (with the help of local people) to the mini-bus which goes straight to the airport.

Bentota- temples, seaside and wildlife

Bentota is more than a pleasant surprise. Big Buddha Temple ie Kande Viharaya Temple representing Buddha sitting in the lotus is just so beautiful, the stairs leading to it are also nicely decorated. The view towards the tree under which Buddha got the liberation is highlighted with another lotus and statues of Buddha- just awesome.

Offerings to Buddha are awaken by many flowers and even fruits that can be bought here. It’s 20 minutes away from Bentota itself. One more temple with the white Buddha statue gives the river the special shine properly in Bentota.

Brief garden is also 20 minutes away from Bentota with unusual sculptures and flowers giving it a shape. Located at the hill, at first it offers not surprise through the shadowed walk until you come inside the house and the garden. Images of Sri Lanka and the ancient time give just another wow. Price was 10 e (2000 rupies) instead of expected 5e.

Bentota lies on the river, lake and sea, all together. Rivercruise can be one of the cheapest in the area if it’s shared as you can do it visiting Unawatuna or Mirissa or some other place. One of the best photos alive I saw from my roommate, so clearly showing aligators, monkeys, turtles and many other animals.

The place I stayed is like a little hostel, coconut tree inside the house is the reason I came here. Little caves and the artistic images inside a shadowed terrace with the view of the river just speak by itself.

Unawatuna- the sweetest seaside place

Unawatuna is such a sweet place, even sweeter than Mirissa with all the crafty shops and wide choice of bars and restaurants. Even when you come to the beach.

Dalawela beach with its crystal clear water needs to be discovered by half an hour walk from Unawatuna beach. What a paradise! Even the famous rope swings took adventage with the shapes of the palm trees. Jungle beach close to Japanese pagoda is another hidden gem.

Camp Kush by Unawatuna gave me shelter in the tipi houses which were so comfortable, but here you can choose also the private houses as well as the tree houses. The peace of the mangrove forrest cannot be described as they even have a meditation place. The chill atmosphere of this hostel cannot be beaten.

Galle- the Dutch heritage at Sri Lanka

The famous town of Galle is only 10 minutes ride and it’s the pleasant stroll of dutch heritage. The lighthouse makes Galle so special but town itself doesn’t offer so many sights except it’s placed inside the fort. It’s worth checking.

Mirissa- the iconic town of Sri Lanka

Mirissa is known by its coconut hill, a relaxed heaven for taking photos. Secret beach was the discovery where peace cannot be ruined.

Ella- pretty mountainous town

Ella– offers more the words can say: little Adam’s peak, Ella rock, Ravana waterfall and caves, Nine Arches Bridge, engraved temple Dowa Raja Maha Viharaya. Not to mention the tea plantations, the bars and restaurants with the live music, souvenir shops- this mountain village really took my heart. I will be back.

Nuwara Eliya

Nuwara Eliya is on the half way between Ella and Kandy, but I will surely be back to check it out. The lake, park, Adam’s peak and botanical gardens Hakgala (little away from the town) and more fascinating views make the reason to it.

Kandy

Kandy is the second largest city of Sri Lanka (after Colombo) symbolised by the lake in the centre, the Temple of the Sacred Tooth and the Botanical Gardens of Peradeniya. Above all mentioned I visited only botanical gardens, a treasure of variety that trees can bring. Geological museum gave me some unique facts about minerals and rocks at Sri Lanka. Even we visited the author of the ancient street art of Kandy.

Cave temples of Dambulla and Sigiriya rock, national park Yala or Udawale with the baby elephants, Haputale with its waterfalls (near Ella), many lakes among which Maskeliya at the south of Ella was recommended or you can randomly chose a spot- there’s plenty of that. Even the Cinammon island near Unawatuna. Just to say, Sri Lanka is the only original producer of cinnamon and 3 spice gardens I visited let me dived into the perfect tropic vibe. Cheep prices everywhere or at the special places will let you enjoy Sri Lanka even more. The wildlife tours offer an amazing experience and a wide range of activities.

All in all

Seems like I saw only 1/100 of Sri Lanka and when you feel somewhere so comfortable you just want to relax and stay more. Sri Lanka is more than expected. The sea doesn’t let you swim but you can learn to surf.

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