Sri Lanka: The Final Chapter of an Unforgettable Adventure 🇱🇰

Play Me

I’m finally back with another blog, long overdue, I know, but what better way than by sharing the last chapter of my travels before I came home to England in September. After months of exploring South East Asia, you’d think I’d be ready to rest, but life had one more adventure in store.

Truthfully, we nearly didn’t make it to Sri Lanka at all. We were supposed to head to India, but a very painful visa process (and a few meltdowns in between) almost sent us home early. Our minds were already drifting back to England, work plans, business decisions, house drama with our tenants… real life creeping back in. But something stopped us. We realised how lucky we were to have the time, the freedom, and each other. So we took a deep breath, hit reset, and booked the flight.

Best decision ever.

We landed in Negombo on 26th August and instantly realised: this was tuk-tuk world. Every street corner buzzed with colour, engines, and friendly shouts. I won’t lie, at first we felt a bit exposed. The locals stared at us as though we’d come from Mars. But within minutes we realised why: they’re just incredibly curious and as we soon found out, incredibly kind. Sri Lankan hospitality hits different. We felt safe straight away.

City life wasn’t what we wanted though, so after a quick stop we headed inland…

Our next base was Sigiriya, home of the iconic Lion Rock. We woke before sunrise to climb Pidurangala Rock, where you get the best view of Lion Rock glowing in the morning light. It was warm even at 5am , vests and shorts became our daily uniform and the views were out of this world.

To save money (and to get closer to the real Sri Lanka), we stayed in homestays throughout the country. Our place in Sigiriya was one of the loveliest, two dogs greeting us every morning, traditional meals cooked over a wood fire, and even the chance to help the whole family make dinner. Dahl curries and coconut sambol became my new love language.

The next day we decided to climb Lion Rock itself, 1,200 steep steps but worth every single one. The panoramic views from the top were something I’ll never forget.

We travelled on to Kandy, but the city vibe wasn’t for us, too busy, too loud, so we chilled at our homestay for a couple of days before catching the iconic train to Ella.

Seven hours of hanging out of the open door, wind in our hair, rolling hills, endless tea plantations, and local kids waving at every stop. It’s been called one of the most beautiful train journeys on earth, and honestly… it deserves the title.

Ella itself felt like a little mountain bubble full of backpackers, cafes, and the best views. We hiked Little Adam’s Peak, which gave us another moment of “wow, how is this real?”. Peaceful, warm, and the perfect mix of quiet nature and lively village life.

We also visited the famous Nine Arch Bridge, built by the British in 1921 entirely out of stone and bricks, no steel at all. And of course, we squeezed in a tea plantation tour… Sri Lanka is one of the world’s top tea producers, responsible for over 10% of global tea exports. I tried every sample like a true British girl.

Before heading to the coast, we stopped at Yala National Park for my first-ever safari. We were lucky enough to spot loads of wildlife, crocodiles, buffalos, elephants, colourful birds but the leopard was too cosy asleep under a distant rock to come say hi. Still, it was an unforgettable experience.

We finally reached the southern coastline, starting in Hiriketiya a surfer’s dream. I took a surf lesson (so much harder than it looks!) and was aching for days afterward, but it was worth every bruise.

Next was Weligama, where we visited a turtle rehabilitation centre. Getting to meet the turtles up close, some injured, some recovering, some preparing to be released was incredibly special given my love for turtles.

Then, onto Unawatuna. Golden sands stretching out forever, barely any tourists, gentle breeze, warm water… it was bliss. Pure and simple. Sri Lanka’s beaches are famous for their beauty, but also for their role in the island’s history, traders, fishermen, and ancient settlements all thrived along this coast.

My grandad lived in Sri Lanka while working for the RAF many years ago, and being there made me feel strangely close to him. In a way, the whole trip felt like walking in his footsteps.

Sri Lanka was the perfect end to months of travelling. It gave us space to slow down, reflect, laugh, rest, and soak in the last bit of sunshine before flying home.

The mountains, the beaches, the wildlife… but above all, the people. Warm, gentle, hardworking, and so incredibly welcoming. It’s a country that stays with you long after you leave.

Sri Lanka wasn’t just another stop, it was one of my favourite places of the whole trip.

Now, as I’m back in England building the next chapter of life, I’m grateful for every moment this journey gave me. And I’m excited to keep sharing the stories with you.

Until the next adventure…

Rock on 🤘

L x