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Amazing Sri Lanka
  • James Warren
  • Alison D'Angelo
  • James Warren
  • Alison D'Angelo

Amazing Sri Lanka

A 39-day adventure by James & Alison Read more
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  • Trip start
    December 22, 2025
    Amazing Sri Lanka

    Blog one. Just arrived

    December 23, 2025 in Sri Lanka ⋅ 🌙 28 °C

    🇱🇰 Sri Lanka at a Glance
    - Location: An island nation in the Indian Ocean, just south of India.
    - Highlights: Ancient temples, tea plantations, wildlife safaris, and pristine beaches.
    - Best Travel Style for You: Local immersion—street food stalls, village homestays, and off-the-beaten-path rituals.

    🌞 Weather & Travel Timing
    - January (your travel window): Dry season in the south and west (Colombo, Galle, Bentota). Ideal for beaches.
    - Central Highlands (Kandy, Nuwara Eliya): Cooler, misty mornings—perfect for tea country exploration.
    - North & East: Still recovering from monsoon rains, less ideal for this season.

    🕌 Cultural & Authentic Experiences
    - Temple Rituals: Dawn offerings at Sri Dalada Maligawa (Temple of the Tooth, Kandy).
    - Local Food Gems:
    - Kottu roti from roadside stalls.
    - Hoppers (crispy bowl-shaped pancakes) with spicy sambol.
    - Hidden Spots:
    - Sunrise at Pidurangala Rock (less crowded than Sigiriya).
    - Village markets in Dambulla for fresh tropical fruit.

    🐘 Wildlife & Nature
    - Safaris: Minneriya National Park (elephant gatherings).
    - Trekking: Adam’s Peak (Sri Pada) near Nallathanniya—where you’re based right now. Pilgrims climb at night to catch sunrise at the summit.    Read more

  • Amazing Sri Lanka

    The Dutch Hospital

    December 24, 2025 in Sri Lanka ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C

    The Old Colombo Dutch Hospital was built as a hospital via the Dutch; it has been used for several unique functions, through the years. it’s miles believed to have existed on the grounds that 1681. The Dutch hooked up the Colombo sanatorium to look after the fitness of the officials and other workforce serving below the Dutch East India organization. The medical institution’s close proximity to the Harbor allowed it to serve Dutch seafarers.

    The constructing became the Colombo castle Police Station from the early Nineteen Eighties to Nineteen Nineties, previous to which it housed the Colombo Apothecaries.

    The construction reflects seventeenth-century Dutch colonial structure. The constructing has five wings forming courtyards. it is designed to maintain out the heat and humidity and offer a secure surroundings inside.

    In 2011, Old Colombo Dutch Hospital been transformed through urban development Authority right into a buying and eating precinct, in which the ancient structure has been preserved.    Read more

  • Amazing Sri Lanka

    Gangarmaya Temple

    December 24, 2025 in Sri Lanka ⋅ ⛅ 29 °C

    Gangaramaya is one of the oldest Buddhist temples in Colombo, started by the famous scholar monk Hikkaduwe Sri Sumangala Nayaka Thera in the late 19th Century.

    After the Venerable Sri Sumangala, his chief pupil Devundera Sri Jinaratana Nayake Thera took on the administration of the temple. It was he who laid the foundation to convert the little temple to an institute of international reckoning.

    The next chief incumbent was the Ven. Devundara Keerthi Sri Sumangala Jinaratana Vacissara Thera, the teacher of the Ven. Galboda Gnanissara, who worked to make the Gangaramaya what it is today: much more than a temple in the conventional term, but a place of worship, a seat of learning and a cultural centre.

    One of the most prominent Buddhist temples in Colombo City, Gangaramaya Temple houses an extensive collection of artefacts. Located in the bustling inner-city near the picturesque Beira Lake, this temple complex is a massively popular tourist attraction, a sacred place of worship and a learning and vocational training centre.

    Established over 120 years ago, this once little hermitage nestled on a piece of marshy land, has transformed into a must-see attraction. Hordes of people, including local and foreign devotees gather at this bustling space, revered for its embellished architecture and statues showcasing Sri Lankan, Chinese, Thai, Burmese and other artistic styles.

    A spectacular work of art, the Temple is elaborately designed and surrounded by statues of Buddha, lions, nymphs and china vases. Standing like sentinels at the door, two golden Buddha statues guide the throngs to the main sanctuary of the Temple and the door is decorated in intricate wood carvings of elephants and swans.

    The museum is a treasure trove of Buddha statues from all over the globe, Hindu Gods, old watches, Dutch coins and other antique collectibles. The pièce de résistance is the smallest Buddha statue on the island, encased in a glass box, whereby visitors can view it with a magnifying glass.

    As with other temples in Sri Lanka, visitors are advised to dress conservatively and cover their shoulders and the legs below the knee when entering the temple premises. There is no fee to enter the Gangaramaya Temple.    Read more

  • Amazing Sri Lanka

    Gallary Cafe colombo

    December 24, 2025 in Sri Lanka ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C

    Paradise Road The Gallery Café was established in 1998 and is today a Colombo institution offering a blend of local style, architecture and food. The interior aesthetic is uniquely Paradise Road, designed by Udayshanth Fernando, in keeping with the iconic space, it is housed within. With its al fresco dining pavilion, signature cement and wrought iron furnishings and rotating art exhibition, the restaurant has been featured in the Australian Gourmet Traveller, New York Times, Conde Nast Traveller, Vogue India, Delicious Magazine and the Luxe City Guide Online to name a few.  The restaurant and brand are internationally acclaimed and the recipient of multiple awards including the Presidential Award for Best Restaurant and Essence of Asia by Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants.

    Housed in the former offices of world-renowned Sri Lankan architect, the late Geoffrey Bawa, who personally approved the take-over of his beloved property and its conversion into a gallery and restaurant by Paradise Road Chairman and designer, Udayshanth Fernando. The menu features both local and international cuisine, delivered with flawless service in the most sensitively and timelessly designed surroundings in the heart of the city.  Paradise Road Galleries features monthly rotating exhibitions by established and emerging artists.

    The property also features a private dining room, The Upstairs Gallery, that can accommodate up to 36 guests for events, including intimate weddings and corporate events; as well as 45 guests for cocktail and canapé receptions.    Read more

  • Amazing Sri Lanka

    The fat Crab

    December 25, 2025 in Sri Lanka ⋅ ☁️ 29 °C

    Enjoy the freshest seafood in Sri Lanka at The Fat Crab – the best seafood restaurant in Colombo. Taste authentic crab curry, grilled prawns, and ocean-inspired

  • Amazing Sri Lanka

    Geoffrey Bawa House

    December 26, 2025 in Sri Lanka ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C

    Geoffrey Bawa (1919–2003)

    Recognised as one of the most influential architects of the twentieth century, Geoffrey Manning Bawa (July 23, 1919—May 27, 2003) was peerless within his craft. Bawa was born in Sri Lanka and enrolled in London’s Architectural Association School of Architecture between 1954 and 1957. His own mixed ancestry and extensive travels informed his unique approach to history, viewing the past as layered and multi-faceted. His prolific practice revived the indigenous sensibility of honouring, contextualising, and welcoming the external world; his reverence for Sri Lanka’s lush landscape is deeply entrenched in his work. Bawa’s architectural career produced 200 original designs until his passing at age eighty-three. Geoffrey Bawa remains one of Sri Lanka's most remarkable architects and an inimitable artistic visionary.Read more

  • Amazing Sri Lanka

    Colombo lotus tower

    December 26, 2025 in Sri Lanka ⋅ ⛅ 32 °C

    Lotus Tower
    The Colombo Lotus Tower, standing proudly in the heart of Colombo, is South Asia’s tallest self-supported structure and Sri Lanka’s tallest skyscraper, reaching an impressive height of 356 meters (1168 feet). Designed to resemble a lotus blossom, a symbol of purity and renewal, this iconic structure reflects the blend of tradition and modernity in Sri Lanka. With construction initiated in 2012, the tower was meticulously crafted over a decade and opened to the public on 15th September 2022, marking a new chapter in Sri Lanka’s architectural and technological advancement.

    Situated along the banks of Beira Lake, the Colombo Lotus Tower is a landmark visible from far beyond the city limits, drawing thousands of visitors each month who come to experience its panoramic observation deck, cutting-edge technology, and entertainment facilities. The tower offers a 360-degree view of Colombo, the Indian Ocean, and the lush landscapes that extend inland, making it a prime spot for sightseeing, photography, and cultural immersion.    Read more

  • Amazing Sri Lanka

    The Green house Resort Sigiriya

    December 27, 2025 in Sri Lanka ⋅ ☁️ 25 °C

    The Cultural Interior and the Weight of Time 

    Inland, the atmosphere shifts. 
    The terrain becomes denser. 
    Stone replaces sand. 

    Sigiriya rises with clarity from the surrounding plains. 
    Its presence is singular yet restrained. 
    The climb reveals scale gradually rather than all at once. 

    Nearby, Polonnaruwa and Dambulla Cave Temple reflect a civilization shaped by continuity rather than display. 
    These Sri Lanka tourist attractions reward patience. 
    They are best experienced slowly, in silence. 

    This region anchors Sri Lanka tourism in history and proportion, reminding visitors that permanence often comes from restraint. 

    We arrived after a 5 hour tuk tuk adventure from Colombo, we had come from a large luxury 2 room suite to a jungle setting without a kettle or toiletries. However the building was clean but not entirely what we expected. The ac did please James but not Alison who ended the first night in 3 layers of clothing 🫣.

    If you have ever tasted Sri Lankan "Coffee " the absence of a kettle was traumatic. The Columbian beans remained ungrinded the following morning it was replaced by a coffee substitute they called coffee but was undrinkable.
    The coffee culture in Sri Lanka is still in its enfancy. Barista coffee is slowly growing in popularity as the western tourist numbers grow.    Read more

  • Amazing Sri Lanka
    GPX

    Tuk tuk transfer to sigiriya

    December 27, 2025 in Sri Lanka ⋅ ☁️ 30 °C

    Colombo to sigiriya the 5 hour tuk tuk ride took us through a landscape of different foods . Areas where they grow one thing . Firstly pineapples then cashew nuts and buffalo curd . Or basket weaveing or cricket bats.Read more

  • Amazing Sri Lanka

    Lion rock

    December 29, 2025 in Sri Lanka ⋅ ☁️ 22 °C

    Sigiriya Lion Rock's history centers on King Kashyapa (5th century AD) who built a lavish palace-fortress atop the rock to escape his brother Mogallana, featuring frescoes, gardens, and a giant lion entrance, but after Kashyapa's defeat and suicide, it became a Buddhist monastery until abandoned, later rediscovered, and now stands as a UNESCO World Heritage site.  

    So what did we think . ?
    After meeting an Australian chap the day before on top of pidurangala rock who said it was well worth the $30 we decided to set our our alarm clocks for 5 am .
    We arrived in the dark up a 2 km dirt track to a well organized ticket office. Even at 6 am it was busy. It's probably the most visited sight in sigiriya if not Sri lanka.
    The approach to the rock led us through beautifully maintained gardens . The pictures attached show the detail and scale of the archeological site , overshadowed by lions rock . Itself.
    Stone steps began our climb to the top . After a while this gave way to steel chequer plate steps with stainless handrail. The stairs were narrow and steep. A line of people slowly made there way to the top.

    T    Read more

  • Amazing Sri Lanka

    Village Safari

    December 29, 2025 in Sri Lanka ⋅ ☁️ 27 °C

    I believe I enjoyed this more than James ,it doesn't sound like fun being put on of a cart pulled by buffalos up a rikty track . But in the end it turned out to be fun.
    After a small wait we were transferred to homemade catamaran and taken out on to a beautiful tranquil fresh water lake with Eagles and white herons . The 20 minute boat ride to the village included fresh flowers being picked from the waters edge for Alison.

    We arrived at a supposedly authentic Sri Lankan village but was in reality a tourist destination created for stupid Westerners , like ourselves. Although I would like to add I got a bit grumpy with the excursion manager as I got the distinct impression we were being ripped off. I negotiated a discount but in my world it wasn't enough . $30 dollars became $15.

    In the end our overriding memories of this trip was the traditional home cooked lunch . And small cookery lesson. Freshly grated coconut is a beautiful thing and even better when turned into coconut sambal.

    The return was on a motorized rotivator even more uncomfortable than a tuk tuk .    Read more

  • Amazing Sri Lanka

    The gallary cafe

    December 30, 2025 in Sri Lanka ⋅ ☁️ 27 °C

    This place looked great from the outside. We ordered coffee and breakfast. It took an hour for toasted sandwiches and coffee. They were absolutely hopeless. . And we will never go there again 🤣

  • Amazing Sri Lanka

    Polonnaruwa

    December 30, 2025 in Sri Lanka ⋅ ☁️ 28 °C

    We decided on a day tour to the Ancient city of Polonnaruwa. 50 km from our base in Sigiriya.

    We arrived at the ticket office at the museum at lunch time . This is the only official place to buy the entrance ticket. It costs $30 . For all foreigners. Sri Lankans get in for free . This applys to all sites .

    The museum contains a huge amount of information about the ancient city ruins . Photos , models and statues .

    From the museum site you can either rent a bike or a tuk tuk to take you around the site, as it is vast. Definitely not walkable.

    We had arrived by our own tul tuk so we then spent the next 3 hours traveling around the ancient city.

    The history of Polonnaruwa

    Polonnaruwa was the thriving commercial and religious center of Sri Lanka some 800 years ago. It consists of a lot of temples and religious buildings. For three centuries it was the royal capital, of both the Chola and Sinhalese kingdoms. In Polonnaruwa, it all started in the late 10th century when the South Indian Chola dynasty had conquered Sri Lanka.

    The Cholas chose Polonnaruwa as their new capital and moved the capital from Anuradhapura. Their reasons were apparently that is was a strategically better place to be protected from attacks from the Ruhunu Sinhalese kingdom in the south-east, and that it had fewer mosquitos!!! LOL, it didn`t feel like there was a lack of mosquitos here, especially in the evenings when they came out in swarms……

    In 1070 though, the Chola dynasty was overtaken by the Sinhalese kingdom (King Vijayabahu I), which kept Polonnaruwa as his capital. And it was during this Sinhalese period that Polonnaruwa reached its high glory.

    The second king (King Parakramabahu I, 1153-86) built many large buildings, beautiful parks, and a huge lake/ tank of water (25 square km). The third king (King Nisanka Malla, 1187 – 96) tried to match his predecessors`achievements, and ended up bankrupting the kingdom in his attempts!

    In the early 13th century the cities glory was fading, it was abandoned, and the capital moved to the western side of the island where Colombo is today. That was the sad end of the era of beautiful Polonnaruwa as a capital.    Read more

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