This blogpost takes you on tour with the ‘Gilmour Bus’ as we fondly came to call it. Seventeen days together with my husbands siblings and their partners in Sri Lanka, seventeen of the best days of my life. When I married into a large family, I never dreamed that I would one day be taking a road trip with them! Hiking, yoga, buffets, cocktails, swimming, shopping, naps and quality chats. All of my favorite things with 14 of my favorite people. When a friend asked if the trip was as amazing as it looked on social media, I could honestly say it was even better. I’m so grateful to have had this experience.
Shri Lanka would not have ever been a destination on my bucket list. Our reason for the visit primarily being my brother in laws Tamil Wedding. The event was colourful, exciting, loud, hectic and started EARLY!!! We all got up at 3am and got ready together to attend the milk ceremony which kicked off at 5am. Being part of a Wedding without working was such a treat (although I did pick up my camera for a while when the official photographer became very late!). Dave and I had the privilege of spending our time during the ceremony onstage, as family representatives. We had quite a number of ‘jobs’ including cutting a coconut, and taking around offerings to be blessed. My favorite moments were when the officiant would say ‘ahh well, new ritual’, if we did something wrong. I didn’t pick my camera up for a week, and even then it didn’t come along with me everywhere, so about half the images in this blog are from my phone. But the best camera is the one you have on you right?!
For those reading who are interested in exploring Shri Lanka, I’ve popped in our itinerary and my recommendations below. We spent 17 days exploring Colombo, Kandy, Ella, and Hiriketiya, with travel stops in between each spot. Here are the highlights from each destination:
Colombo
We attended a wedding in Colombo, a large and crowded city. It was fun to see for a day, and we visited several incredible temples and mosques. However, we probably wouldn’t have made an effort to stay longer if it hadn’t been for the wedding.
Kandy
- Charming Town: Kandy is small and walkable, with little marketplaces and numerous gem shops. It’s situated near a picturesque lake which was lovely to walk around (think Queenstown vibes).
- Rice Farm Tour: This half day tour, about an hour away, showcased the local produce such as coffee beans, cocoa, and a variety of fresh spices and herbs. Half way through we had a cold swim in a natural water whole, it was devine!
- Temple of the Tooth: A must-visit, Sri Dalada Maligawa is a sacred site, impressive on both the interior and exterior.
- Sigiriya: Hiking the UNESCO-listed Sigiriya mountain fortress was a definite highlight of our trip.
Between Destinations
- Tea Plantation Tours: Exploring the lush tea plantations was both educational and beautiful. There are plenty of these around the place!
- Safari: We had an incredible time on our safari, spotting various wildlife, but mostly elephants.
Ella
- Accommodation: We stayed at Zion View Ella Green Retreat, with breath taking views this accomodation was such a highlight. I loved the yoga, buffet breakfasts and onsite pool and day spa options.
- Tourist Hotspot: Despite being touristy, Ella charmed us with its coffee shops, and shopping options.
- Activities: We enjoyed the Ella Rock View walk, Little Adams Peak, Nine Arch Bridge, and a delightful cooking class.
Hiriketiya Bay
- Beautiful Beaches: The beaches in this area are stunning and we spent hours in the warm water.
- Salt House: Our stay here was fantastic. The food, proximity to the beach, and yoga sessions were all excellent.
- Cafes and Coffee: Being a touristy spot, Hiriketiya offers good coffee and cafes.
Galle
On our way back to the airport, we visited the old fort in Galle, which was a lovely stop. I wouldn’t have wanted to spend to much longer than a half day here.
To get around we took a famous long train ride which was amazing. For most other trips, we hired drivers which worked out well. Avoid the bus at all costs!
Shri Lanka left such an impression on me, and I hope to return one day! Enjoy the images!
