Sri Lanka - The Pearl of the Indian Ocean V2

[albatross710]

A few months ago at the time of needing to do a trip to Dubai (BNE_DXB_BNE) I came across a low cost fare to route us BNE-SIN-CMB-DXB-BAH-CMB-SIN-BNE. The latter via UL sounded much more interesting so I did some research and came across an inspiring Trip Report by RB http://www.australianfrequentflyer....hotos/sri-lanka-pearl-indian-ocean-37549.html

I reached out to RB for details of his Sri Lankan tour guide. Within a few short days Mrs Albatross710 & I were booked and had a 7 day stopover with SL itinerary in place with RB's original tour guide Mr Lucky.

We were totally happy with Lucky and the way he operates as an independent tour guide. We had been trying to organise a tour through an Australian based Sri Lankan specialist operator. We found that they were light on information and high on pushing for a deposit. (I actually forfeited my deposit and walked away from that arrangement.)

We arrived into CMB from BAH on a Friday morning. From the airport we headed straight out of town on tour to an elephant orphanage. Pretty good encounter up close with these rather well domesticated animals. We were able to walk up to them and touch them and as you can see in some pictures when looking for regular food treats they approach the bystanders.

 

[albatross710]

The weather in early November meant that each afternoon the weather included a serious downpour. With this in mind the guide had left flexibility in each day's itin to cater for swapping some visits to suit the weather.

Our afternoon included a visit to a (rain sheltered) famous temple.

Next morning we set out early to visit Sigiriya, Lion Rock. It's quite a climb, but worth the experience. Would have been pretty amazing 1,000 years ago to see the looks on the workers face when the boss said he wanted a palace with pool on top of that rock.

And put the pool here.....

This is a world heritage protected area, so it was out first introduction to some more wilderness.

 

[albatross710]

From here we headed into Kandy where we spent a rainy afternoon. Standard tourist visits and pics from here. We did spot some more unusual angles.

Are you happy in your job? Here's some progress which will need to be repeated by tomorrow.

Apparently the cream cheese is still tasty.

 

[albatross710]

We can recommend the train trip from Nanuoya to Ella. For us this meant our guide dropped us to the Nanuoya train station and introduced us to the Station master which resulted in us being up in the signal room, working the station points and changing signals.

 

[albatross710]

Ella has some wonderful panoramic views and I think is on most itineraries. We took in some walking the next morning. If you think a morning cup of tea is therapeutic, so is a walk through the tea plantations early in the morning.

 

[Fifa]

Now you and RB have got me seriously interested in a trip to Sri Lanka!

 

[albatross710]

The wildlife is an important part of Sri Lanka's attractions. It is quite well integrated into most parts of the day and possibly easier to capture good photograph than it is in Australia. Here is a collection form our visit to Yala National Park.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/OOrMVHSb_JjoY6ZHub5z37y55JAiYMArkU7IcQOh92jFHsiONvhWodntYEd-IrDG1crxnXmjwFmJ3Ed_hFimkQ4gufdd_3-CarX_gdrf9ERNHndtSifJbjJ6HlMqWkvfCypt1Rt3URtNeACJg5SPj533H-LCU4jQccHQUysGfJNDix6d7tJPjUL9plCoQu5oaoUrsd1-D81xFRHSszXQfGjZnmLiKg7r8CrPidElhmgGqzHWYrhg6gmn6wWbN6c2On5t6e3A_2n-9BPxgaBMq8duxQalUxznMUmP47hDmntO27Y8cPAweYRzSzdaJuuyuOnFrZMWmQNeZeRtR1FRqzKFmYC0xE5TRYRJKtE3TK-VEPurOx49DMRb6NGnPlScZjEJl0BWsFxx_EdshSjFna1YqRPhZ8VlBTxP3UieczDQz0h-SQXi43X9onpWRKpLP9uI-rNZ-mOjO20wjbRfa2Y0P-JaP23KHnKK-1cdhKa7OV4VtYkK3Sy6jy2ue2L2KBeWWghc0PWktTyG5B8lDDS2ppGZUP1rbQ4oKiu28tw=w320-h240-no

This is MrsAlbtaross710's money shot.....

 

[albatross710]

In summary, we had a great week. We left wanting to see and explore more. Which is a nice feeling. The full 7 day itinerary, for two people including overnight hotels (2-3 star), breakfast & evening meal, tour guide with 6 seater van was ~A$1,400.

Add another A$300 for park, temples, performance, Yala guides.

Just an observation. Interestingly, the attraction prices were higher by proportion that we expected. For instance, a curry, snack & drinks lunch for the three of us might cost A$5 all up, an entry to the botanical gardens was $10 each. Just a way the economy is constructed.

Our full itinerary was

Day 1 See the elephants in the river and later drive to Sigiriya. Night in Sigiriya.

Day 2 Climb the rock early, and drive to Kandy via Matale. We can visit a beautiful Hindu temple and a spice garden in Matale. Visit the temple of the tooth of Buddha late in the afternoon. Night in Kandy.

Day 3 Visit the botanical garden, look around Kandy city in the morning and drive to Nuwara Eliya in the afternoon. Visit a tea plantation on the way. Night in Nuwara Eliya.

Day 4 Look around Nuwara Eliya in the morning and take the train to Ella at 12 noon. Night in Ella.

Day 5 Drive to Tissa in the morning, safari in Yala national park in the afternoon. Night in Tissa.

Day 6 Drive to Galle along the south coast. Explore Galle in the afternoon. Night in Galle.

Day 7 Leave Galle around 7.30am to be at airport by 10:00,

 

[albatross710]

Now you and RB have got me seriously interested in a trip to Sri Lanka!

Good, do it Fifa. MrsAlbatross and I have traveled quite a lot. Sri Lanka was different enough for us to keep us intrigued and surprised by what we would see each day.

I have to do a trip to India early next year and I'm already thinking whether I can wrangle a stopover and see the Aussie cricketers on a tour match. Surprisingly very little detail yet of tour dates and match locations. I would be interested to see a tour match in Galle where the cricket field opens onto the Fort but would settle for Colombo.

 

[Major]

What an interesting place. I hadn't considered Sri Lanka before

 

[deka2]

Sounds like you had a good time
We have a similar trip this January
Coming in Via HKG and out via SIN
9 full days altogether in Sri Lanka

 

[henleybeach]

I went to Sri Lanka in May this year and did a little trip report on here as well, I have to say myself and my partner loved it. The people are so friendly , the food is lovely , the beaches are great , white sand beautiful water and secluded , yala national park was fun and there was great wildlife in Sri Lanka. We defiantly are going back there and highly recommend going there. We just hired a driver and pre booked our accommodation online , was cheap 4-5 star was about $150 aud a night .

 

[RB]

I can only see the last photo in post 8-all other photos showing a grey circular symbol?

 

[Major]

I can only see the last photo in post 8-all other photos showing a grey circular symbol?

I have the same problem

 

[albatross710]

Apologies about those missing pictures. I will upload more of them here. Not really sure where I came unstuck.

 

[albatross710]

The wildlife is much easier to photograph in SL. The birds are not as good as hiding as they are here in Aust.

 

[albatross710]

We did enjoy the colours and the variety of the people.

 

[ausfox]

My only addition to this is do not be tempted to hire a car and slr drive. It is no cheaper and as the roads are slow and twisty it is not enjoyable driving. We also enjoyed the sights in particular Anuradhapura an ancient site.

 

[albatross710]