Sri Lanka
16 places visited between 2014 and 2025
-
Colombo
A 2018 summer in Colombo: a covered vegetable market, a paper dosa longer than the tray, a Malinga sticker on a bumper and tea tasting at a Dilmah t-Lounge.
-
Galle
Sri Lanka's south in two stories: elephants in Yala, Dilmah tea and turtle hatcheries - plus an off-season market hunt for woodapple, soursop and king coconut.
-
Yala
A July 2025 jeep safari in Yala National Park: an elephant that strolled straight up to our jeep, a painted stork at a waterhole, and dust everywhere.
-
Sigiriya
Climbing Sigiriya in June 2014 with Dileep's parents: the frescoes, the lion paw staircase, wild bee combs on the rock face, and a summit with a view.
-
Trincomalee
Trincomalee in July 2018, where a casual dinner order turned into a dosa longer than the table and the kitchen watched us work out how to eat it.
-
Jaffna
Jaffna in July 2018: walking the tracks of the railway yard near Kankesanthurai, past rusted carriages left over from the years the northern line stood still.
-
Ella
Ella in June 2014, before the crowds: village lanes and corner shops, Ella Gap from a guesthouse lawn, Ravana Falls, and tea bushes in every direction.
-
The Hill Country Train
A June 2014 ride on Sri Lanka's hill country railway: blue carriages curving through tea, token loops, station name boards, heads out of every window.
-
Maalu Maalu
Maalu Maalu at Pasikuda in June 2014: sunrise over the infinity pool, a catamaran out to the reef, a wave from the fishing crews and a banana-stall town run.
-
Pigeon Island
Pigeon Island in June 2014: a small boat from Nilaveli beach, snorkelling over coral gardens full of butterflyfish, and one souvenir scratch to show for it.
-
Kandy
Kandy in June 2014: the white walls and moat of the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, then a working tea factory, from withering troughs to the tasting cup.
-
Dambulla
Dambulla in June 2014: a shaded climb past stalls of brass curios, and the giant golden Buddha of the temple gazing out over the green plains below.
-
Polonnaruwa
Polonnaruwa in June 2014: brick ruins of the medieval capital, rows of carved stone pillars, faded shrine murals and the rock-cut Buddhas of Gal Vihara.
-
Minneriya
An afternoon safari in Minneriya National Park in June 2014: wild elephant herds around the ancient tank, tiny calves, sparring young bulls and golden light.
- Kilinochchi Story coming soon, we were here, and the write-up is on its way.
- Snake Island Story coming soon, we were here, and the write-up is on its way.