Hi!
Sri Lanka, what can I say – I don’t have many memories of this place, mainly because, like Bali, it did not meet our expectations. Our stay ended a few days earlier than planned.
However, to avoid discouraging you from this country right from the start, I’d like to share a few places we visited during our four-day stay and my impressions of the entire trip.
Expectations and reality often differ, as we know well.
Galle, the town we chose for our accommodation, appealed to us because it is quite peaceful. We were looking for a place to relax without the crowds of tourists and the associated hustle and bustle. Of course, this also means that the place can sometimes feel a bit like „nothing is happening.” Nonetheless, Galle is a small yet charming town with beautiful sandy beaches.
The main attraction is Galle Fort. This historic fort is surrounded by charming streets, souvenir shops, cafes serving delicious coffee, and restaurants with really tasty food. The place is enchanting and relaxing, especially with the fresh sea breeze – a true oasis of tranquility.
Just like in Thailand and Bali, we traveled by scooter. It allowed us to move around freely and saved our legs, as constant walking can become really tiring after a while.
One of the places we visited was the paradise Midigama Beach, where there is a restaurant in an old hut serving the best food. The restaurant is called Wild Beach Cafe Food And Drinks and is run by a couple who prepare truly phenomenal dishes. We liked it so much that we visited the place three days in a row. Freshly caught fish cooked on-site – what more could you want?
A charming lady prepared a special pancake for us, which, on the first bite, tasted like pasta dough baked in old ovens. However, this pancake was made only with egg, water, coconut flour, and salt, and then grilled. Believe me, the taste was amazing! We liked it so much that I ate two.
The beach, along with the hut and restaurant, is right by the road – it’s hard to spot because it’s hidden behind a tangle of bushes, but once you get there, it’s truly impressive. It’s a perfect spot for Instagram photos.
Coconut Tree Hill is a truly beautiful place with breathtaking views of the city and rows of coconut palms. It’s one of the most photogenic spots in the area, perfect for taking pictures.
The main thing to remember is that you will definitely get dirty. If you’re lucky, you’ll only be covered in orange dust, but if it rains or if you visit after the rain, you might end up covered in mud. Some people climb up and go down barefoot, but it’s a good idea to have something protective for your shoes. If you want to take professional photos, it’s also worth bringing a change of clothes that you can put on at the top.
Climbing the hill is completely free and takes just a few minutes. You can return along the shore, listening to the sound of the waves – it’s truly a wonderful experience.
The last two places we visited were an absolute „must-see” and a tremendous experience for me: Sea Turtle Hatchery Centre Mahamodara. Holding the tiny sea turtles in my hands was an indescribable feeling, especially since I’m a turtle lover and have a beautiful Greek tortoise.
Like many other places, this center cares for turtles that are in poor condition and wouldn’t survive even an hour in the wild. Unfortunately, I didn’t have the chance to release a little turtle into the ocean at sunset because it was too early – the eggs were still in the incubation phase. However, I’m confident that I’ll fulfill this dream in the future, as these beautiful creatures bring immense joy to my heart.
It’s worth noting that there are many such places in Sri Lanka. These centers truly save the lives of turtles, and I am extremely grateful for their efforts.
Sea Turtle Hatchery Centre Mahamodara is a must-visit for turtle and marine life enthusiasts. The center is dedicated to the protection and rehabilitation of sea turtles, providing shelter for those in poor health who wouldn’t survive on their own. Holding a small sea turtle is an unforgettable experience, especially for turtle lovers.
During my visit, I learned about the important work being done to protect and care for these creatures. Although I didn’t have the chance to release a small turtle into the ocean at sunset due to the ongoing incubation of the eggs, I hope to do so in the future. The happiness and awe these beautiful animals bring to my heart are immense.
There are many such centers in Sri Lanka that focus on medical care and rehabilitation of sea turtles. These facilities play a crucial role in saving the lives of these creatures, and I am extremely grateful for their efforts.
The decision to leave Sri Lanka earlier was mainly due to the unstable weather conditions and unfavorable atmospheric conditions that prevented us from fully enjoying the beaches and attractions. Additionally, the fact that the locations were spread out and traveling took a lot of time likely contributed to this decision.
It’s understandable that for surfers, weather conditions might not be as crucial since they will be wet anyway, but for other tourists, unfavorable weather can affect comfort and overall satisfaction with the trip.
Regarding pollution and dirt in the city, this can indeed be a problem for many travelers. A clean and well-maintained environment can significantly enhance the quality of travel experiences.
Hopefully, in our next destinations, such as Dubai, the conditions will be more favorable and provide a more enjoyable travel experience.
In my opinion, Sri Lanka is expensive, and, similar to Bali, tourists are often viewed by locals as walking wallets ready to spend money on everything and everywhere.
Our hotel, BRIXIA CAFE AND GUEST, was really nice and comfortable, and the owners were lovely people. I definitely recommend this place.
For me, Sri Lanka didn’t capture my heart, and the main reason was definitely the weather. It’s not that I can’t adapt to conditions, but when you travel to a country expecting abundant sunshine after a long journey, you anticipate beautiful sunny days, warmth, sunbathing on sandy beaches, and swimming in the sea. Instead, we got rain, cool days, uncomfortable winds, and cold seawater. I know someone might think that we went there off-season or even pre-season, but that doesn’t change the fact that these places are usually chosen for the winter season. I also understand that our decision might have been hasty, but from this perspective, Sri Lanka wasn’t the right place for us, and, similar to Bali, we didn’t catch that flow.
