We travelled to Sri Lanka in October and enjoyed a wonderful, exotic and exhilarating break from the autumn gloom back home. The flight was long,but we all slept and we were met in the very clean and well organised Colombo airport by our friendly and accommodating guide Saman.
He drove us in his spacious and air-conditioned people carrier out of the city and up into hill country, stopping for a meal along the way by a beautiful lake where we sampled the delicious Sri Lankan cuisine for the first time. We stayed for 3 nights at Jim’s Farm, near Matale, and I think it is safe to say that it was the nicest place we have ever stayed – airy colonial villas full of polished wood, elegant furniture and friendly obliging staff. There was a beautiful pool surrounded by palm trees, with table tennis & badminton on offer. Everything we ate was delicious – from amazing fresh fruit juice and cooked breakfasts to set dinners, nearly everything comes from the farm and absolutely all of it was delicious. On a tour of the farm, we learnt about its produce including cinnamon, black pepper, cloves, coffee, tea, many kids of fruit and eggs, chicken and milk from the animals.
From there we vistited the cave temples of Dambulla where we saw literally hundreds of buddas and climbed up the Sigiriya rock fortress – a strenuous climb in the heat, but worth it for the amazing views over the forests and hills from the top. A ride on an elephant topped off an amazing few days.
Next we stayed on the Kelani river, sleeping in rustic accommodation right next to the river. Very chilled, and great food. We went white water rafting and canyoning (jumping and sliding down a small tributary river) – which was my kids’ highlight of the holiday and also mountain biking through the tea plantations to a beautiful waterfall – a great antidote to too much culture for my thrill-seeking children.
Finally we spent a few days by the beach near Galle. We learned about local turtle conservation at a turtle hatchery, and walked round the ramparts of Galle fort, enjoying the ambience of this ancient colonial dutch outpost (and its great shopping and eating possibilities!).
All in all a very varied and action packed holiday in only just over a week. We learnt so much about Sri Lanka and would all love to return!
by TMS