Ayubowan!

This post will be a special one for multiple reasons. First off, it will be a return to my ‘post your travel story’ days, after like a gap of 8 longggg years! Secondly, this was (like many other locales, ofc) a long waiting one to-be-ticked-off-on-the-list wala destination. We had to technically do ‘foreign’ because: a) our passports were feeling unloved for long. b) This was the farthest ‘foreign’ country that I could convince Appa to join in. All the excuses/USPs that you can think of were attempted by yours truly to pitch this 🤣– bore adicha 1 hour la Chennai (you can literally fly off to Chennai, our hometown, in an hour), Ramayana places ellam innum irukku (you get to trace Lord Rama's path, here), etc.

So, Yes, for Summer 2025, Srilanka, it was. Upon landing at Colombo, we drove off straight to Kandy. What a quaint, sleepy town it is. Spent a day there visiting the local markets, usual touristy stuff like the temples, Buddhas, lake, et al. Missed watching the Kandyan dance that I learnt about much later. Did a quick day trip to the Pinnawala Elephant Sanctuary where we got to see these gentle giants play around have fun with water. 

Next off was the scenic Nuwara Eliya (aka The Little England – a relic of the past that reminds you of its British colonial heritage). With tea plantations and lush green rolling hills to both sides, it was a drive to remember.  The country indeed has a gorgeous country side. Nuwara reminded us of Ooty a lot – typical British Bungalows, heritage post office that encourages you to connect with your folk back home, the old school way. Nuwara also has a strong Ramayana presence through Ashoka Vatika, Hanuman’s foot prints, the Hakgala gardens where apparently Ravana kept Sita, and the periphery.

During travels, you must consider yourself lucky if you get a guide who is a bigger enthu cutlet than you are. And we were fortunate to have one. Our guide Mr Gowrish made us tweak our trip mid way to make a de-tour to Ella, yet another fab, (and very instagrammable) village. With several home chef experiences to savour local vegetarian srilankan cuisine (think Sambol, string hoppers/idiyappam, Pal Poni, Coconut flat breads, Coconut milk, and the likes), often amidst gorgeous outdoor settings, we lapped up all that came our way. Just when we thought we were done, 

Gowrish pulled another surprise by suggesting we do the Nuwara – Ella leg by a local train. And we were more than happy to concur with his suggestion. The train from Kandy to Ella often figures in one of those top 10/must-do train journeys in the globe. We were happy to have at least done one leg of that for a flavour. Surrounded by thick lush green flora and dense, milky-white water falls all around, it was a feast to our eyes that usually only stares at PC Screens and skyscrapers all around. The halt at the Ella 9 arches bridge was the highlight of them all. Indeed, experiential journeys are the Best.

After an over-dose of local culture, gorgeous waterfalls, country side and mountains, the return leg back to Colombo was through the fabulous southern and western coast of Lanka. Long stretches of turquoise waters and pristine beaches surrounded by the ubiquitous Coconut trees could put even the most alert minds to sleep.

Gowrish often recalled the country’s difficult past during the war times, the LTTE/tamil- sinhalese equations and a peek into the ethnic races that occupy the land. A conversation with locals like him truly enriches you and teach stuff that perhaps, history books never will.

Considering the spectrum of age-group of the family and the diversities in interest amongst us, one non-negotiable parameter for all our vacations is that the place needs to offer something to everyone. And Srilanka, for sure, fits the bill in that sense. With such ease of access for Indians, quite an economical currency vis-à-vis India and some  picture-perfect, scenic spots, this has our heart and a good mind to return to cover the Northern province of the country may be, next time around.

Until then, Ayubowan!!