Sri Lanka – a journey from the coast to the mountains
📍 A route like no other.
Royal Kandy, Whales and a Train Through the Jungle: A Wild Ride Through Sri Lanka!
When we finally arrived in Kandy, we decided to kick things off in style with an evening stroll around the lake. The city was buzzing with life, and we soaked up the atmosphere before collapsing from exhaustion at our first base – The Castle Don. The name sounds grand, and I can tell you that sleeping in a ‘castle’ is the perfect start for a crew like ours!
Elephants, Temples and Royal Relaxation
The next day, at 10.30 sharp, we checked in at the Elephant Freedom Project. Seeing these joyful giants up close, free from chains, is pure magic – our whole group was absolutely thrilled, and I don’t think any of us quite believed how enormous these creatures really are! We spent the afternoon relaxing, soaking up the mystical atmosphere at the famous Temple of the Tooth, before retreating once more to our Castle Don in the evening.
Waterfalls and the Green Gold Trail
The next day was a total assault on the senses and… our wallet – or rather, the lack of one, as most of the attractions were free! We started with the mighty Ramboda Waterfalls, where the breeze cooled us down better than the aircon in our van. Then we set off into the picturesque tea-growing hills. We visited Blue Field Tea and the Giragama factory. Watching the world’s finest tea being made is one thing, but the aroma wafting through the air is something that defies description.
The train from Kandy to Ella and Nowa Baza
It was time for the absolute highlight – the iconic train journey from Kandy to Ella. Sticking our heads out of the window, the wind in our hair and greenery stretching to the horizon. When we finally reached the Nine Arches Bridge, we felt as though we were in an Indiana Jones film. In the evening, brimming with excitement, we moved our luggage to our new base – the Maison D Hotel.
Sea Monsters and Relaxation Under the Palms
At the crack of dawn, we headed out to the ocean! For 50 dollars a head, we treated ourselves to a whale-watching cruise. Seeing these giants emerge from the water is simply out of this world. After such thrills, we needed to cool off at Mirissa Beach. We also snapped some photos at the famous Coconut Tree Hill (free entry, and views worth a million dollars!) and watched life go by in the local fishing village.
Culture, the Fort and a Visit to the Locals
The next day was all about crafts and history. We popped into the Sooriya Weaving Mills, then got lost in the charming streets of Galle Fort. The best was yet to come in the evening, though – we had the incredible opportunity to pop into a local home at the invitation of the locals (“Visit our home”). Real food, real people, authentic Sri Lanka.
Turtles, Crocodiles and the Grand Finale
Before we settled down on the beach for good, we headed to the turtle hatchery (admission just 2,000 rupees, and such a treat), only to hop onto a boat a moment later and, for 20 bucks, sail down the Madu River, keeping an eye out for crocodiles in the mangroves! We recharged our batteries at the Mario Beach Hotel. On 2 February, we made a quick, farewell dash to Colombo, and on the 5th, with tears in our eyes and sand in our shoes, we set off for the airport.