Sri Lanka – a photo journey
Lunch with a view at Arabella on Boossa
It’s my third visit to Sri Lanka. Considering I don’t often return to destinations, opting instead to discover new places and to tick them off my travel bucket list, Sri Lanka lures me back like a lion hungry for its kill. With its pure diversity from city dwelling in Colombo and the gorgeous fort town of Galle, to tea plantations in the hill tops and the glam beach retreats in the south-west, there’s always something new to tuck into. And that’s why I returned last week with travel blogger Travel Junkie Diary on a three-day itinerary around the south-west coast for a small pack of like-minded individuals who have played a role in her journey around the world – the first in a series of bi-monthly trips she is organising. Sun, sea, sand, and sight-seeing – plus a spot of yoga (with Laura Farrier, a Dubai-based yogi), massages, and of course eating. For a change of reporting style, here’s a pictorial peek into my #TravelwithTJD mini break that will hopefully entice you to visit Sri Lanka. Enjoy the slide show :).
Heritance Ahungalla
A view into and out of Heritance Ahungalla on the south-west coast of Sri Lanka (near Bentota)
Egg hoppers
Egg hoppers for breakfast
Madu river safari
Madu river safari
Coconuts and cinnamon
Coconut picking and cinnamon making
Buddhist temple
A Buddhist island temple on the river safari
Seafood feast at Amal restaurant
Crab and lobster feast at Amal restaurant on Sri Lanka's south-west coast
Arabella on Boossa
A stunning four-room boutique beach retreat, Arabella on Boossa - near Galle. Owned and operated by a Dubai-based Australian family.
Arabella on Boossa
The kitchen at Arabella on Boossa
Lunch at Arabella on Boossa
Sri Lanka's street food goes posh, diva-style at Arabella on Boossa
Hoganji Vihara
Hoganji Vihara - a Buddhist shrine gifted by Japan to Sri Lanka after the tsunami to ward off further evil
Dosas galore
Make your own dosas in Sri Lanka - plumper rice flour pancakes than their Indian counterpart
Gorgeous Galle
The historical fort town of Galle - simply gorgeous
Poonie's Kitchen in Galle
Poonie's Kitchen in Galle - a cute cafe hidden behind Mimimango shop
Sri Lanka's famous sunsets
Sunset yoga with Dubai-based yogi Laura Farrier at Arabella on Boossa
And now for some housekeeping:
WEATHER: The best time to visit the south-western coast of Sri Lanka if you’d like to avoid rain is December to April.
FLY: I flew from Dubai to Colombo, Sri Lanka’s capital on Flydubai’s business class – a four and a half hour direct flight with two daily flights. Only in Dubai do we have an economy airline with business class configuration ;). And there’s proper French champagne (Mumm). Economy return fares start from AED764, and business from AED2,600.
VISA: Most nationalities require a tourist visa which can be obtained on arrival for US$25 (valid for one month) or apply online in advance here.
Michelle from Travel Junkie Diary’s goal is to turn this series of mini breaks into consumer travel experiences that you and I can book. Next destination Zanzibar. Would this type of holiday appeal to you? Shall I convince her to add my home country Cyprus – a culinary visit with FooDiva in tow?
A bientôt.
FooDiva. x
Disclosure – FooDiva was invited to travel to Sri Lanka by Travel Junkie Diary with the support of Flydubai, Careem, Heritance Ahungalla and Arabella on Boossa hotels. There was no obligation to document my experience, however as always, there’s also no such thing as a free lunch…or holiday ;).
I love all the photos! We’ve been to Sri Lanka last year with the kids and planning to go back and explore the southern part of the country. And yes! Definitely include Cyprus – it’s a fab travel destination I dream of going!
Thanks Grace. Iphone 6 Plus only…with the help of my best friend, Instagram! Michelle – take note on Cyprus 😉
Oh the images are awesome. Although a dri lankan i have many places to discover. Ahungala is a bice place and its close to my in laws. Maybe when you visit next time i will get to give you a traditional sri lankan kandoori meal ?missing home badly…
I would LOVE that Mafaza…I always eat local when travelling.
Oh my! I can’t get over the size of those crabs, looks like an absolutely wonderful and relaxing holiday.
There were dozens of them swimming around Noreen, you would have loved it. We crammed a lot in but relaxing at the same time 🙂
Yes, please! Cyprus, Zanzibar, Sri Lanka – all places I haven’t been to yet but would love to visit. Especially if they’re curated by TJD, I’m sure they will be one of a kind.
She certainly is the travel guru Nancy and knows how to design a good itinerary that doesn’t cram in too much, but allows you time to relax. Lovely to meet you finally the other night!
I think SriLanka is next on our list, though I do love the Maldives and get tempted to go back there over and over. So relaxing. We were all booked up for Zanzibar when Rachel was a baby but cancelled due to a malaria scare, she was only 11 months old at the time and I didn’t want to risk it, guess where we went? yes the Maldives 🙂