I attended a Sony Alpha Workshop in February this year that took me to Payyanur in Kerala.
Titled ‘The Dance of the Gods,’ this five-day tour was part of the Sony Alpha photography course and gave participants a view of Theyyam’s mesmerizing worship artform.
Earlier this year, a few friends and I visited Sri Lanka.
We visited Colombo, Kandy, Sigiriya, and the historical town of Anuradhapura. If you are seeking a luxurious, adventurous, and spiritual 7-day itinerary for Sri Lanka, read on.
I was too lazy to jot down my experience, but I had shot some videos during the trip and posted them as YouTube Shorts.
I am pasting the short videos here for easy viewing. Follow along:
Flight from Bangalore to Sri Lanka
We took the Indigo airline flight from Bangalore to Sri Lanka.
Colombo
Galle Face Green is a popular seaside walking stretch that offers a fantastic view of the Indian Ocean and is best enjoyed at sunset. You can buy some local snacks from the street vendors and walk along the coastal stretch.
Galle face green street food
When we arrived in Colombo in January, the weather was hot and humid. A gelato sure helps beat the heat!
Another, more healthier way to beat the heat is to experience Sri Lanka’s king coconut:
The Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara, or Kelaniya Temple, is one of the most revered Buddhist temples in Sri Lanka.
Gangaramaya Temple: The Gangaramaya Temple is one of the most famous Buddhist temples in Colombo. It is a beautiful temple with a vast collection of various Buddha statues, relics, artifacts, and items related to Buddhism.
While in Sri Lanka, we hired a local cab to explore the area. We stopped at various roadside food stalls to sample the local cuisine, and we enjoyed every dish we tried. Most items were quite similar to those we find in South India, but the unique Sri Lankan twist set them apart.
Kandy
The next stop on our itinerary was Kandy. At the center of the city lies Kandy Lake (also known as Kiri Muhuda), a tranquil man-made lake situated near the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic. This picturesque spot is perfect for a peaceful stroll and provides stunning sunset views over the surrounding hills.
When in Kandy, do not miss the Kandy Cultural Show, featuring traditional Sri Lankan dance, music, and fire-walking performances that capture the essence of Sri Lankan heritage.
Be sure to try the local delicacy, Sri Lankan Kottu roti, made by chopping, mixing, and mashing flatbread with chicken, vegetables, and various aromatic spices.
Egg hoppers were my favorite food in Sri Lanka. Everywhere I went, I ordered them. I was also fascinated by the process of making hoppers. To recreate that experience at home, I bought an egg hopper pan.
Ambuluwawa Tower
Ambuluwawa, located approximately 25 kilometers from Kandy, is renowned for its unique biodiversity and the iconic Ambuluwawa Tower. The 48-meter tall, cone-shaped tower contains the Buddhist temple’s Stupa (Pagoda). As you ascend, you can enjoy stunning views from several observation platforms.
After the climb, we took a short break at the café near the tower’s base to catch our breath.
Sigiriya
Sigiriya, also known as Sinhagiri, is an ancient rock fortress situated in the northern Matale District, near the town of Dambulla in the Central Province of Sri Lanka. It was drizzling as we made our way to the top of the rock. The experience was exhilarating, to say the least.
Dambulla Cave Temple
Dambulla Cave Temple, also known as the Golden Temple of Dambulla, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the central part of Sri Lanka. This cave monastery, a sacred pilgrimage site for 22 centuries, features five sanctuaries and is the largest, best-preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka.
Anuradhapura
Anuradhapura is an important city located in the north-central plains of Sri Lanka. Anuradhapura was founded in the 5th century BC and served as the Sinhalese capital of Sri Lanka from the 4th century BC until the 11th century CE. During this period, invasions from South India led to the relocation of the capital. The city was subsequently abandoned and overtaken by jungle. In the 19th century, it was rediscovered by the British and became a center for Buddhist pilgrimage.
On the way back from Anuradhapura, we stopped at Negombo Beach. Negombo is renowned for its long sandy shores and its centuries-old fishing industry.
This was an experience I thoroughly enjoyed, leaving me wanting more. There are many more places to explore in this beautiful island country, and I am sure I will return for another visit.
We made friends with Sujith, who took us around in his cab. If you plan to visit Sri Lanka and are looking for a trustworthy, soft-spoken driver to take you around in his car, Sujith is the perfect choice. Feel free to reach out to me if you need his phone number.
Have you visited Sri Lanka? Do share your thoughts in comments.
Buy the Lonely Planet guide (best Sri Lanka travel guide book): https://amzn.to/3NJgGKt (Affiliate link)
