Sri Lanka
Jan – Feb 2023
I was lucky enough to travel Sri Lanka between January – February 2023, a place that’s sat high upon my bucket list for years. To me it was a place that seemed more untouched, and off the beaten track a little which made it seem a little less in reach and more of a dream. In reality, just being outside the safety net of the standard South-East Asia backpacking loop so many visit and what I am used to, didn’t mean it couldn’t happen. With a little bit of research and a whole lot of vision boards, another dream soon became my reality.
The first few days in Sri Lanka had me feeling uncertain – but the second I was out of the airport city and into the depths of the island, I discovered what so many people love, and the picture-postcard vision I’d been seeking. Sri Lanka covers it all – from dense jungle to golden beaches and everything in between. The animals and nature is something I haven’t seen flourish in many (if any!) other countries in the way it does here, and the culture seeps nothing but positivity and good energy.
Itinerary: How I spent 3-weeks in Sri Lanka
- Negombo
- Sigiriya
- Kandy
- Ella
- Tissa/Yala National Park
- Tangalle
- Dickwella
- Weligama
- Galle
- Mirissa
- Hikaduwa
- Colombo
Follow the links above for in depth guides on each location mentioned, including where I stayed, the best things to see and do and other useful tips and tricks to aid your travels.
From wild elephants to leopards, sea turtles to crocodiles and monkeys to snakes – it’s rare to go a day without seeing something new in Sri Lanka. As mentioned, the wildlife is like no other here, and you’re immersed in the sounds, sights and smells daily. In awe yet permanent apprehension of your surroundings, questioning your safety but in the best way possible.
The train journeys are one of the most picturesque in the world, with 50 shades of green, rolling hills and tea plantations for miles. You see waterfalls from above, travel along the very edge of the coastline and high over old historic bridges through the mountains. Whilst perhaps not for the faint-hearted (or impatient!) travelling the country by train is a must-do. If not on board the trains themselves, you’ll also find yourself walking the tracks almost daily – offering a shorter and more peaceful route than the roads.
Overall, Sri Lanka lived up to every expectation and more. It’s a country I left wanting more, and one I’d be sure to go back in a heartbeat.
See all Sri Lanka related blog posts below:
From Kandy to Ella
From Kandy to Ella by train January 2023 From Kandy to Ella, 7-hours I shall never forget. Tropical heat and suffocating air filled with an amalgamation of smells and plethora of nationalities, ages, shapes and sizes, consumed the 7-hour journey from Kandy to Ella by train. Jam-packed like sardines, hundreds boarded the train at Kandy…
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