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Member of The Guild of Food Writers

Sri Lanka – a photo journey

Lunch with a view at Arabella on Boossa

Lunch with a view at Arabella on Boossa

It’s my third visit to Sri Lanka. Considering I don’t often return to destinations, opting instead to discover new places and to tick them off my travel bucket list, Sri Lanka lures me back like a lion hungry for its kill. With its pure diversity from city dwelling in Colombo and the gorgeous fort town of Galle, to tea plantations in the hill tops and the glam beach retreats in the south-west, there’s always something new to tuck into. And that’s why I returned last week with travel blogger Travel Junkie Diary on a three-day itinerary around the south-west coast for a small pack of like-minded individuals who have played a role in her journey around the world – the first in a series of bi-monthly trips she is organising. Sun, sea, sand, and sight-seeing – plus a spot of yoga (with Laura Farrier, a Dubai-based yogi), massages, and of course eating. For a change of reporting style, here’s a pictorial peek into my #TravelwithTJD mini break that will hopefully entice you to visit Sri Lanka. Enjoy the slide show :).

 

Heritance Ahungalla

A view into and out of Heritance Ahungalla on the south-west coast of Sri Lanka (near Bentota)

Egg hoppers

Egg hoppers for breakfast

Madu river safari

Madu river safari

Coconuts and cinnamon

Coconut picking and cinnamon making

Buddhist temple

A Buddhist island temple on the river safari

Seafood feast at Amal restaurant

Crab and lobster feast at Amal restaurant on Sri Lanka's south-west coast

Arabella on Boossa

A stunning four-room boutique beach retreat, Arabella on Boossa - near Galle. Owned and operated by a Dubai-based Australian family.

Arabella on Boossa

The kitchen at Arabella on Boossa

Lunch at Arabella on Boossa

Sri Lanka's street food goes posh, diva-style at Arabella on Boossa

Hoganji Vihara

Hoganji Vihara - a Buddhist shrine gifted by Japan to Sri Lanka after the tsunami to ward off further evil

Dosas galore

Make your own dosas in Sri Lanka - plumper rice flour pancakes than their Indian counterpart

Gorgeous Galle

The historical fort town of Galle - simply gorgeous

Poonie's Kitchen in Galle

Poonie's Kitchen in Galle - a cute cafe hidden behind Mimimango shop

Sri Lanka's famous sunsets

Sunset yoga with Dubai-based yogi Laura Farrier at Arabella on Boossa

And now for some housekeeping:

WEATHER: The best time to visit the south-western coast of Sri Lanka if you’d like to avoid rain is December to April.

FLY: I flew from Dubai to Colombo, Sri Lanka’s capital on Flydubai’s business class – a four and a half hour direct flight with two daily flights. Only in Dubai do we have an economy airline with business class configuration ;). And there’s proper French champagne (Mumm). Economy return fares start from AED764, and business from AED2,600.

VISA: Most nationalities require a tourist visa which can be obtained on arrival for US$25 (valid for one month) or apply online in advance here.

Michelle from Travel Junkie Diary’s goal is to turn this series of mini breaks into consumer travel experiences that you and I can book. Next destination Zanzibar. Would this type of holiday appeal to you? Shall I convince her to add my home country Cyprus – a culinary visit with FooDiva in tow?

A bientôt.

FooDiva. x

Disclosure – FooDiva was invited to travel to Sri Lanka by Travel Junkie Diary with the support of Flydubai, Careem, Heritance Ahungalla and Arabella on Boossa hotels. There was no obligation to document my experience, however as always, there’s also no such thing as a free lunch…or holiday ;). 

 

  • Posted under
    Culinary Travel, Hotels, Restaurants, Sri Lanka

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9 Responses to “Sri Lanka – a photo journey”

  1. Grace @ Sandier Pastures April 22, 2015 at 10:52 am

    I love all the photos! We’ve been to Sri Lanka last year with the kids and planning to go back and explore the southern part of the country. And yes! Definitely include Cyprus – it’s a fab travel destination I dream of going!

    • FooDiva April 23, 2015 at 1:02 pm

      Thanks Grace. Iphone 6 Plus only…with the help of my best friend, Instagram! Michelle – take note on Cyprus 😉

  2. mafaZa April 22, 2015 at 4:04 pm

    Oh the images are awesome. Although a dri lankan i have many places to discover. Ahungala is a bice place and its close to my in laws. Maybe when you visit next time i will get to give you a traditional sri lankan kandoori meal ?missing home badly…

    • FooDiva April 23, 2015 at 1:03 pm

      I would LOVE that Mafaza…I always eat local when travelling.

  3. Noreen April 23, 2015 at 4:13 am

    Oh my! I can’t get over the size of those crabs, looks like an absolutely wonderful and relaxing holiday.

    • FooDiva April 23, 2015 at 1:04 pm

      There were dozens of them swimming around Noreen, you would have loved it. We crammed a lot in but relaxing at the same time 🙂

  4. Nancy April 23, 2015 at 11:48 am

    Yes, please! Cyprus, Zanzibar, Sri Lanka – all places I haven’t been to yet but would love to visit. Especially if they’re curated by TJD, I’m sure they will be one of a kind.

    • FooDiva April 23, 2015 at 1:05 pm

      She certainly is the travel guru Nancy and knows how to design a good itinerary that doesn’t cram in too much, but allows you time to relax. Lovely to meet you finally the other night!

  5. ga April 23, 2015 at 1:28 pm

    I think SriLanka is next on our list, though I do love the Maldives and get tempted to go back there over and over. So relaxing. We were all booked up for Zanzibar when Rachel was a baby but cancelled due to a malaria scare, she was only 11 months old at the time and I didn’t want to risk it, guess where we went? yes the Maldives 🙂

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