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Sri Lanka: the highs and lows of a month long trip


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 ðŸ“–


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