Sri Lankan Getaway - March 2016

[k_sheep]

We paid $800 USD for our ,,,

Excellent, thank you

 

[amaroo]

Thanks for sharing. Looks like a great place to visit... will have to add it to the list.

 

[RooFlyer]

Me too. It's getting to be a long list!

 

[Edge]

I had the pleasure of visiting Sri Lanka in March as well. Lovely place - somewhere that wouldn't have been on the radar unless I had a wedding to attend. Unfortunately only had a week and the wedding occupied a couple of the days, leaving only a handful for relaxation and hence not as much travelling or exploring as I would have liked. I also stayed at Cape Weligama and loved it - we had a private residence with a pool that was shared with 2 other "residences" but they were empty so we essentially had the pool to ourselves. Our personal butler Janaka was fantastic.

On the final day we did a tour to a tea factory, the turtle hatchery, a snake farm and Galle Fort which was a sensational day.

Lovely country with lovely people - would recommend.

 

[Milboo]

I've just realised I never finished this!

Once we were dragged out of Tea Trails, our driver drove us around Castlereagh Reservoir to Hatton. We had arranged to take the train from here and meet our driver (with our luggage) in Kandy as the train ride is said to be stunning.

I highly recommend doing this trip. Apparently the section from Ella to Hatton is even better! We had been booked into first class and it was nice having the air con and comfy seats but the windows were not super clear/ clean so photos were hard. We spent ages in the vestibule hanging out the door instead! Many recommend the 2nd class booked seats (With opening windows) and I'd probably agree.

Could stock up on popcorn before boarding!

Heading through tea country

Vendors wandered the train selling drinks, bags of fruit, warm peanuts (with optional chilli) - 10 cents for a bag made out of old newspaper

And on the platform at Kandy, selling cooked prawns and donuts

 

[Milboo]

We stayed at Kandy House which is located 20 mins out of town. Had a reservation staying here as read that it can take a long time to travel a short distance due to traffic but did manage to avoid most of that. Realistically too, would have preferred to stay somewhere more central but we had serious difficulties finding a decent quality hotel with twin beds! Most of the 'luxury' ones only offered queen bed rooms.

However, it was a really lovely hotel set in a 200 year old manor house that was used by the ruling ministers historically. The grounds were lovely, pool overlooked rice paddies, staff were good (you were allocated a butler) but the food was just good not great unlike what many reviews raved about.

We had a garden suite so had this gorgeous little garden and a big swing seat which we could lie on and watch the squirrels and giant squirrels in the trees!

 

[Milboo]

We did not have a lot of time in Kandy. Our driver took us up to the look out for the view over the city, we passed on the giant Buddha as it was under renovation, we checked out a local mall for some shopping and also the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic.

I regret not having time to wander the streets more and check out the local market.

We elected to pass on the Pinnawala Elephant Sanctuary as research indicated that elephants were not treated the best there and I don't support that.

Loved all these signs hanging out - all lawyers

 

[Milboo]

We were then driven back to Negombo ahead of our flight later that night. Took around 2.5 hours as traffic was slow heading out of Kandy.

Once again, it was a really enjoyable drive as we wound our way from the hills towards the coast.

A bit of Kandy traffic!

The roadside stalls were a constant source of interest. One stretch of road would have all the same types of items for sale - we went through inflatable toys!, cotton, caneware, pottery, cashew nuts (these ladies stand roadside) and a few other things.

This one had the King coconuts that were perfect for a drink on the go but also this area's selling point was hot corn on the cob

We stopped at a Spice/ Herb Garden too. I am under no illusion our driver got commission for stopping there but I was not complaining. I'd woken up with a really stiff neck and was dreading the flight ahead. After our tour, they offered up a massage using the herbal products. Was seriously good massage and within a couple of hours, my sore neck had gone.

We also managed a stop at a liquor store for my friend to purchase Arrack so it could go in checked luggage.

 

[Milboo]

The SQ flights leave at a really awkward time - 1.10am (there is one that leaves at 11.30am too) for tourists given hotel check out times, need to factor in traffic etc plus makes for a very long day.

We elected to check into the Gateway Hotel a short distance from the airport in Negombo for around 6 hours. Gave us time to repack, have a meal, shower and change and also squeeze in a nap.

SQ service did not start on a good note as our bulkhead seats that SQ customer service had confirmed the day before had been given away (on board only 1 of the 2 seats was actually filled). Was told no window seats left (on board this was also incorrect) so they gave us a middle set of 4 seats between the 2 of us. I hate not having the window to lean against so got no sleep.

SQ uses 2 shared lounges there. Both average in quality and relatively busy.

Had planned ahead and booked a non seafood meal as the flight in had been very seafood heavy. Funnily enough, was not hungry at 2am though.

Had 2 hours in SIN and as I'd upgraded to J, had access to the SilverKris lounge so enjoyed steamed pork buns for breakfast!

Was my first time in SQ J and was very happy. I had used BTC for Chicken Rice as I love this dish. But it was about 7am in the morning so instead they served me some cheese and fruit and I had it later when everyone else was having a snack 2 hours out of Sydney.

Managed to get in a couple of hours sleep too which was much needed.

 

[Milboo]

And what prompted me to remember I had not finished this...I enjoyed the trip so much I am going back in 4 weeks time for some pure relaxation at a south coast hotel! I don't care it is monsoon season - I'm not a sun seeker anyway and I just need to chill out for a week after some tough few months at work!

 

[coolumbla]

am currently sitting in teh colombo hilton on about visit 22 , mostly for work ( about 12 of those visits with Shrek)
Brought Mrs C and 2 of the delinquents C her 2 years ago
Mrs C who is a cynic loved it and is actually recommending to all her friends that they visit , many of whom have

My tip
Avoid Colombo!!!!!
Get out to the other areas , there are always new areas opening that have never been accessible in general

Prices are going up .My 110 dollar room 5 years ago is now 230 , but there are certainly bargains to be had
There are many travel packages to be had if you shop around an you can specify the level of luxury you want

Get a driver , its well worth it

BTW the Maldives is a 2 hour flight away!

There is qantas codeshare via SIN and KUL using MAS , EK and SL

Some bits look like they're on their way to over tourism but the sheer beauty of most of it is amazing!

( Sri lankan cheerleading over )

And Princess fiona i noted the "might go to Sri lanka with Shrek " comment

 

[tmdellit]

Very keen to read this TR, however unfortunately all photos are unable to be seen?

 

[Milboo]

Yes they were hosted in Photobucket. Let me see if I can resurrect some on the weekend given the fact it's easier to upload photos now.

 

[Major]

I hope you can post the photos as we are visiting in May

 

[Milboo]

Ok - so I can no longer edit the posts so will upload the photos in roughly the same order as originally and generally the same pics (plus more) as in original post. Hope that helps!!

 

[Milboo]

This is Cinnamon Grand hotel in Colombo and then the trip down the coast, stopping at turtle place and memorial to Tsunami victims.

 

[Milboo]

Cape Weligama property

 

[Milboo]

Room at Weligama, high tea daily and views up and down the coast

 

[Milboo]

Day trip to Galle - with the Galle Fort area and Dutch Reform church

 

[Milboo]

Galle lighthouse and then Koggola Lake