Admittedly, Sri Lanka has never been high on my list of countries to visit. So when a last minute invitation came my way it roused interest without any real desire. The interest wasn't so much from the country, but more from the company and from whom the invite came from. After consulting a few friends, it turns out most people all shared the same sentiment that it was a very special place worth visiting.
Given the last minute notice, I luckily secured annual leave and book tickets with 50,000 miles and 400 HKD. The flight is perfectly timed after work on the 4th Friday and despite being in business class I don't really manage to sleep throughout the 4.5 hour flight. We arrive in Colombo and negotiate a driver to take us straight to Weligama for 10,000 LHK. Despite a horrible first night hotel we wake early on the Saturday and head to W15.
For two days, we become familiar with the art of haggling Tuk Tuk Drivers navigating our way between Weligama and Mirissa Beach. Enjoying fresh juices, plenty of seafood all whilst learning to surf. On the 7th we head to Galle, for an evening at the Sunhouse, a beautiful Colonial guest house serving delectable Egg Hoppers and Mahi mahi Roti wraps.
The highlight of this leg is the train from Galle to Colombo. The weather is sticky and angry, and despite our attempts to get first class tickets, we find ourselves at the train station 30 mins before departure trying to secure a spot in the non-air-conditioned carriages of second class. At 3:30, we realise the train is late and the heavens open up lashing the platform and surrounding Galle with a cleansing storm. Suddenly the platform rouses from the lethargy and people shuffle along the platform as the train pulls in. Second class is warm, the deep smell of spices and the trace sound of flute players. We find a seat in front of a group of nuns as head north with our back to our destination. Sometimes you can't see what's in front of you, but you know you're heading somewhere special and all you can do is just admire what's passed. Pause, reflect, absorb and then it's gone, part of the horizon.
Given the last minute notice, I luckily secured annual leave and book tickets with 50,000 miles and 400 HKD. The flight is perfectly timed after work on the 4th Friday and despite being in business class I don't really manage to sleep throughout the 4.5 hour flight. We arrive in Colombo and negotiate a driver to take us straight to Weligama for 10,000 LHK. Despite a horrible first night hotel we wake early on the Saturday and head to W15.
For two days, we become familiar with the art of haggling Tuk Tuk Drivers navigating our way between Weligama and Mirissa Beach. Enjoying fresh juices, plenty of seafood all whilst learning to surf. On the 7th we head to Galle, for an evening at the Sunhouse, a beautiful Colonial guest house serving delectable Egg Hoppers and Mahi mahi Roti wraps.
The highlight of this leg is the train from Galle to Colombo. The weather is sticky and angry, and despite our attempts to get first class tickets, we find ourselves at the train station 30 mins before departure trying to secure a spot in the non-air-conditioned carriages of second class. At 3:30, we realise the train is late and the heavens open up lashing the platform and surrounding Galle with a cleansing storm. Suddenly the platform rouses from the lethargy and people shuffle along the platform as the train pulls in. Second class is warm, the deep smell of spices and the trace sound of flute players. We find a seat in front of a group of nuns as head north with our back to our destination. Sometimes you can't see what's in front of you, but you know you're heading somewhere special and all you can do is just admire what's passed. Pause, reflect, absorb and then it's gone, part of the horizon.
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