5 places you should visit when in Sri Lanka

February 14, 2018

This tear-drop island has been admired by many tourists worldwide but it is still an underrated travel destination. I have rounded up some of my favourite places during my Sri Lanka trip and recommend you to visit them too!

1

Sea Turtle Farm & Hatchery, Galle

When visiting Galle, you will find yourself inevitably connected to nature’s beauty, particularly with the magnificent creatures roaming around. During my stay at Kahanda Kanada and KK Beach in Galle, I was quite excited to see one of the Earth’s most ancient creatures. The Sea Turtle Farm & Hatchery, located in Galle District, is a non-profit organisation devoted to saving sea turtles. It has become the home to five of the world’s seven sea turtle species, releasing more than 500,000 sea turtles into the ocean. For many of us, the first time we really fell in love with sea turtles was when we were introduced to Crush and his gang in Finding Nemo! But getting to see and hold a sea turtle in real life makes you want to do anything to save these cute sea creatures. Sea turtles have existed since 100 million years ago. Yet their population is rapidly declining as only 1 out of 100 baby turtles survive till adulthood. Sea turtles tend to climb out of the sandy beaches at night and chase the moonlight from above the ocean. As more cities are increasingly being built around beaches, the city lights confuse them and attract them towards the city areas. So many baby turtles die from going towards the wrong direction. Is there a way you can help? Duuude, Totally! Find out more here.

Ticket at Sea Turtle Hatchery: 500 LRP. To release baby turtles into the sea: 50 USD / 15 turtles

Other places to visit while you are in Galle: Galle Fort

Hotels near Galle: Tri Lanka Hotel, KK Beach, Kahanda Kanda, the Owl and the Pussycat Hotel.

2

Nine Arch Bridge, Demodara

As you travel around Sri Lanka, you will likely come across many historical monuments like the Nine Arch Bridge, which derives from European colonisation in Sri Lanka. The bridge itself was built under the British Government almost 100 years ago. While some appreciate history, most tourists come for other reasons to see the bridge. This hotspot is quite popular with tourists as it provides an irresistible backdrop for scenic photography. It is also still one of Sri Lanka’s hidden gems. When you arrive at the bridge, take a moment to appreciate the wildlife surroundings and connect with nature as you will get to watch Sri Lankan trains pass by and cross over the bridge. While you may think that watching trains pass by doesn’t sound so exciting, it’s actually quite gratifying. The nine arches of the bridge span over 91 meters, 24 meters in height and was built entirely from rocks, bricks, and cement without steel or metals.

While in Ella, we stayed at the Vista International Hotel. The tuk-tuk from Ella town to Nine Arches Bridge is about 800 LRP or 1500 LRP return but I recommend trying to negotiate the price with your driver!

3

Elephant Freedom Project, Kegalle

Not only are they majestic and beautiful, but elephants are quite intelligent. They are valued as a lucky animal in Sri Lankan culture. We discovered @elephant_freedom from @mikutas, so I couldn’t wait to share this extraordinary moment on my Sri Lanka Instagram adventure. Unlike other elephant attractions in Sri Lanka, elephants at @elephant_freedom ARE NOT CHAINED, STABBED, nor FOR RIDING. Other elephants at elephant riding places ( around 200 elephants in Sri Lanka ) are taking up to 100-200 tourists per elephant per day! PER DAY! This is not OK. Elephants are constantly injured when taking up the heavy wooden seats on their backs, bending their knees, and being stabbed by their keepers. It is difficult for @elephant_freedom to get more elephants from elephant owners because they can make much more money by leasing elephants out for riding places. I hope you can share this little message and not support any riding activities while you are in Sri Lanka.

4

Macwoods, Nuwara Eliya

In this extraordinary place, the journey is just as sensational as the destination when it comes to a little place notoriously known as ‘Little England.’ This is the chance to take your beauty sleep during your ride or to watch over the bright green mountains as you travel around the curvy roads when you’re on the way to Macwoods. Nestled up the cold hills in Nuwara Eliya is Macwoods, a tea plantation and tea café where only Sri Lanka’s finest tea is admired by the rest of the world. Even Princes Charles has visited Macwoods as tea is one of Sri Lanka’s biggest international exportation. Perhaps what is more impressive than the never-ending mountains and enticing fine tea are the many hardworking men and women out in the fields trying to make ends meet.

5

Koggala Lake, Thalpe & Koggala

A key theme of Sri Lanka’s countless precious wonders is its devotion to peace and harmony, implemented into the local’s simplistic lifestyle. Many tourists, especially those more familiar with the Western lifestyle, will be able to appreciate and perhaps be inspired to adapt to their own everyday living. During my stay at Tri Lanka Hotel, visitors enjoyed a boat trip across the Koggala Lake to Cinnamon Island (about 20 to 30-minute trip) to see how the spices are harvested and watch how cinnamon tea is made. With a small population of 4000, people in Spice Island grow many spices using coconut husks as bedding borders and flower pots. In retrospect, visiting Koggala Lake is more of an opportunity to have a relaxing day to rejuvenate and save up your energy for the rest of your adventures in Sri Lanka.