Let’s face it: traveling has its ups and downs. And Sri Lanka was no exception. But reflecting on the trip, most of my memories are of the heights. Although it was difficult at times, I would prefer those times to being at home or at work any day! Here are some of the favorite experiences and places in Sri Lanka:
SIGIRIYA
Sigiriya blew my mind! Located in the central province of Sri Lanka, Sigiriya is an ancient abandoned urban complex at the base of a massive granite rock. The site’s origins are disputed: it is an ancient fortress and king’s palace from the fifth century, a Buddhist monastery, or both. After seeing it in person, I think it could have been both. Legend has it that in the year 477 d. C., King Kasyapa selected the site for his new capital and built his palace on top of the huge rock. He decorated the sides with colorful frescoes and on a large plateau in the middle of the rock face he built an entrance gate (to the palace) in the shape of a lion. Today Sigiriya is listed as a World Heritage Site and is one of the best preserved sites in the world. It is also the most visited historical site in Sri Lanka. Sigiriya was a highlight for me – I have always been fascinated by ancient civilizations (thanks to my ancient history classes at school). Climbing up the rock was a challenge, but stopping regularly for water made it so much easier. We didn’t hire a local guide, but we were able to navigate the site and climb the rock quite easily on our own. From the rock we got spectacular views of the countryside which made the big climb well worth it!
SHE
Everything about Ella is lovely. It is a small village in the Hill Country of Sri Lanka surrounded by lush mountains, lush greenery and crystal clear waterfalls. With only a handful of restaurants and shops, there isn’t much to do in Ella except sit and marvel at the view. We only spent one night in Ella, in The View, which had spectacular views of the valley and surrounding mountain peaks. On the way to Ella we pass tea plantations, untouched waterfalls and small villages. The neighboring towns of Ella are heavily influenced by the Dutch colonization and are very interesting to see. The combination of the Dutch-inspired infrastructure and the mountain peaks makes you feel like you are somewhere in Europe. It’s so surreal! She got two thumbs up from me… It’s beautiful!
ARUGAM BAY
Arugam Bay is one of the most beautiful beaches I have been to and is great for swimming and surfing. The water was deliciously warm and the beach is mostly deserted. There are also free sun loungers along the shore, perfect for sunbathing and reading! During the day we would spend hours in the sun swimming and surfing and at night we would sit in the bars and restaurants listening to music and making friends. Arugam Bay has a great atmosphere and is much more relaxed than other parts of Sri Lanka. It was fine to walk around in shorts and a t-shirt (unlike other areas) and there were more bars and restaurants than anywhere else we visited. The only downside was the accommodation, which was expensive (due to being high season) and the heat was also quite sweltering at times. Overall we had a great time here and would recommend it to beach goers and surfers.