"NOT SO ORDINARY” BACKPACK JOURNEY TO PARADISE

"One of the best islands in the world."- Marco Polo

View of the beach from Galle Fort.

They say wherever you go, the place becomes part of you. Sri Lanka was not what I expected it to be, but it left me an extraordinary experience and remarkable memory that I carry on as I hit the road ahead. Join me as I look back on my 14 day journey to paradise.

NEGOMBO (2 days)

Being the closest city near Bandaranaike International Airport, it is where most travelers spend a night to regain energy from a tiring flight. Since it is my first solo travel, I spent two days here- one day to feel the atmosphere and another day to plan my itinerary (yes. I don't have an itinerary, or shall I say I only have a one day itinerary).

Playing with waves at Negombo Beach.

With my first ever tuk-tuk ride, I get to travel around Negombo city— visited a Catholic church, a Buddhist Temple, the Herbal Garden- Ayurveda (traditional Hindu system of herbal medicine), the fish market, and the public Negombo beach. And since it was my first, I got to savour it like drinking fresh buko juice while feeling the fresh air on my face and the wind blowing through my hair.

Not letting the day pass by without taking a picture with a tuktuk.

**Make sure that a tuk-tuk fare is well negotiated before taking a ride.

SIGIRIYA (2 days)

Took a chance to ask a fellow traveller to take a picture of me in front of Sigiriya Rock.

Sigiriya rock, a 200 hundred meter high ancient rock fortress was regarded as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982. Part of the fortress is a mirror wall which is now well protected and banned from any writings. The mirror wall, according to one of the tuktuk driver, was built for the King to see his self and all his concubines as he walk alongside (hmmmm).

Usually the hike will take two hours but may take longer since Sigiriya rock is loaded with tourists including locals. I assure you, you will forget about the two hours hike once you are on top. It is a WOW, like how could this BIG rock be on the middle of a jungle and how could they have built a palace in this rock? And even if I haven't been to Machu Picchu yet, I felt like I was.

Stupendous view at the top of Sigiriya Rock.

Appa/Appam- Took a picture but was not able to portay its beauty.

While in Sigiriya, I was able to try one of its "must try food"- the Appa or Appam (hoppers). Appam is a Sri Lankan version for pancake, made from a combination of rice flour, coconut milk and sugar with an egg in the middle.

Hundred meters away from the Sigiriya rock is another famous attraction which is the Pidurangala Rock. Unaware that it is a Buddhist temple, I was not able to take a hike since sadly I was wearing inappropriate clothing (yes, no mini shorts in temples).

POLONNARUWA (1 day)

The ancient city of Polonnaruwa is home to temples and ancient ruins and was declared a World Heritage Site. There are many things to see in the Ancient City so I recommend you to take a half day tour, you can either take a bike or a tuktuk (okay, so again I took a tuktuk- I guess I am accustomed to it.)

Here are my top sights:

After visiting the temple, it is a myth to take a walk around the temple.

1. Tivanka Image House- This is my first destination of the more than a hundred ruins of the Ancient City. Inside is a giant Buddha image with three bends (tivanka)- shoulder, hip and knee (pictures are not allowed inside).

2. Council Chamber of Nassankamala- In the chamber is a lion figure-stone throne with its inscription under the lion's belly. The pillars of the chamber has inscriptions that indicate seating arrangement of the respective ministers and state officials

3. Siva Devale No.2- oldest Hindu Shrine in Polonnaruwa. Inside is a stone-cut "Sivalinga" as the principal object of worship.

My tuktuk driver/tour guide/photographer taking advantage of the situation. :)

My tuk-tuk driver was really helpful, aside from giving me history background of the ancient ruins he was also kind to take my pictures. (Actually most of my pictures were taken by strangers, tour guides and tuk-tuk drivers- a challenge for a solo traveler.)

4. Vatadage- This is a round building that is part of the sacred quadrangle. It has four entrances and four Buddhas that encloses a stupa at the center.

A moment with Buddha.- taken by one of the guide

5. Gal Viharaya- Here you can see large rock temple of three different Buddha images.

The Standing Buddha

The Reclining Buddha

The Sitting Buddha

Unfortunately, my allotted time for Polonnaruwa was not enough so I was not able to see all its beautiful ruins although I was happy to witness the lovely and peaceful place. Definitely, this is just one of the reason I will go back.

KANDY (1 day)

The old city of Kandy is famous for the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic (yes, a sacred tooth, a sacred tooth of Buddha). It is believed that whoever has the tooth has the right to rule the country. Every visitor has the chance to take a glance of the sacred tooth relic and usually lotus flowers are being offered. It is a local myth that when Buddha was born-everywhere he steps, lotus plants blossoms.

Took a chance to buy a sari for my temple visit.

Near the temple I took a walk around Kandy lake, took a site of the National Museum (learned about Buddhism while here, thanks to the guide) and visited the Garrison cemetery. The caretaker said 194 British nationals graves are in the cemetery, most of them died of diseases such as malaria and cholera. You may also watch the Kandy Lake Club Cultural Dance in the evening (I was not able to watch since I was not able to take note of the performance schedule).

ELLA (2 days)

Spectacular view of the train passing by the nine arches bridge.

My train moment. :)

The very reason I chose Sri Lanka (I was thinking of going to Jordan)- the famous scenic train ride from Kandy to Ella. Yes! It is a must. You get to enjoy a 7-8 hours train ride with a nature's view from big mountains, to rice and vegetable farms and it's very own tea plantations  (I actually felt like I was home with its breath taking nature view- hello Buguias, Philippines :) ), while sitting by the window with your hand in the air feeling the cold wind. I recommend taking the second or the third class seat since it is where locals sit, but during my travel it is fully packed with tourists who never stopped to take the also very famous train ride picture. 

In Ella, there are two picturesque mountains to hike- Ella rock which I took a hike early in the morning and Little Adam's Peak before the lovely sunset. Amidst the easy way of going to Ella rock, I am still thankful to have a local guide to accompany me (sometimes people get lost). After 1-2 hours of hike, you will be welcomed by a picturesque landscape (oops! yes it does look like Kennon Road, but no that is the rollercoaster I'll be taking to Unawatuna).

Picturesque it is! Would love to stay here all day after 2-3 hours of hike.

The hike to Little Adam's peak will only take 30 minutes and a guide is not really necessary. Navigating the whole peak will actually take about 30-45 minutes or maybe 2 hours when taking pictures (which is a must). By the way, Little Adam's peak got its name from the holy mountain of Adam's peak because of the similar shape (another reason to come back). They said that it was Buddha's footprint left as he headed towards paradise or that it is where Adam's first set foot after being cast out of heaven.

After a day' s hike, take a visit to the cafes and souvenir shops in Ella town. I tried the Sri Lankan ginger beer (which is actually not a beer, but a juice) and the famous Kothu Roti dish which is a mixture of vegetables, meat, egg and spices served with bread.

UNAWATUNA (2 days)

The Southern part of Sri Lanka is known by its beautiful beaches, a great place to relax by feeling the sand in your feet as the waves dance by the shore. During night time, I took a walk at the beach with a bottle of beer (time for booze) as I listen to the sound of the waves.

During my stay in Unawatuna I was able to meet fellow travelers (crazy Germans) and took a side trip to Galle which is 30 minutes away, of course, by tuk-tuk.

GALLE

Galle Fort Tower Clock

The Galle Fort is a beautifully preserved colonial Dutch Fort surrounded by magnificent beaches. After a walk by the fort, you can take a tour at the surrounding town and or waste your energy looking for spices (which we actually did! LOL).

HIKKADUWA (3 days)

Embracing the Hikkaduwa beach life.

The hot boys of Sri Lanka a.k.a. crazy Germans.

I spent my last travel days lying in the Hikkaduwa beach ignoring the sunburn while taking a sight of the beautiful place. I could say that my last days in Sri Lanka was made more delightful and magical because of the new German friends that I met. They actually taught me how to swim (oh yes, most mountain girls don't, and yes I still don't), taught me some not so good German words (LOL), shared some techno music, German dance steps and some German jokes.

Sri Lanka is a small island adrift the Indian ocean with a lot to offer- from its lovely people, great food, picturesque mountains, historic temples and ancient ruins, the epic train journey, wildlife (which I'll be witnessing when I go back) and beautiful beaches. It is definitely a must travel country- and I can say that Marco Polo's claim is proven to be accurate. 

Will you join me on my next North and East Sri Lanka adventure?

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My Sri Lanka Travel Plan

Getting around Sri Lanka

Visa is required- can be applied through the Sri Lanka government site days before travel (35 USD)

Negombo to Sigiriya: you can take a bus from Negombo Bus Station to Kurunegala (2 hours), take another bus from Kurunegala to Dambulla (2-3 hours) and then take a tuktuk or bus to Sigiriya (less than 1 hour)

Sigiriya to Polonnaruwa: you have to go back to Dambulla and from there take a bus to Pollonaruwa (2 hours)

Polonnaruwa to Kandy: take a bus from the Polonnaruwa bus station to Kandy (4-5 hours)

Kandy to Ella: epic train journey (7-8 hours)

Ella to Unawatuna: take a bus from Ella to Matara (5-6 hours roller coaster ride), and then another bus from Matara to Unawatuna (1 hour)

Unawatuna to Hikkaduwa: you can take bus for solo traveler (1-2 hours) or tuk-tuk for a group (less than 1 hour)

**Transportation by bus or train is cheap. When taking tuktuk, it should take about 50-60 LKR/km.

Ticket Fees (2018 prices)

Sigiriya Rock: 4500 LKR

Pidurangala Rock Temple: 500 LKR

Ancient City of Polonnaruwa: 3800 LKR

Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic: 1500 LKR

*donations can be given in some places- like temples and the cemetery

Where I stayed(I made booking mostly through booking.com, but you can directly book from the hotel which is actually cheaper.)

Negombo: Hangover Hostel (close to Bandaranaike International Airport)

Sigiriya: Castle Rock Sigiriya (30-45 minutes away from Sigiriya Rock)

Polonnaruwa: Heritage Polonnaruwa (near the Ancient Rock but you have to go back at the main entrance for ticket)

Kandy: Sevana City Hotel (accessible to both bus and train station including attraction sites)

Ella: Tea Garden Holiday Inn (accessible to bus stop to South Sri Lanka, take a breakfast at the terrace while enjoying the view)

Unawatuna: Unawatuna Beach Bungalow (5 minute walk to the beach)

Hikkaduwa: Hotel Dolphin Hikkaduwa (very accessible to the beach)

**Most of the staffs are very accommodating and serve an enormous breakfast with unlimited coffee and tea.

Thank you for reading my blog. I hope it took you to Sri Lanka as you read it. 😊

Bye for now! -Cyla