SRILANKA
Srilanka, a land blessed with history, culture, and nature in abundance. With cities hugging the coastlines, fascinating Buddhist temples and the best of the villas to stay, Srilanka was always in my mind. A must visit for nature and culture loving people. During our 9 day visit, it just felt like a big tropical green forest. There are a lot of things to do in Srilanka, which was really a tuff task to choose and making a bucket of must see places and must do items. So I would recommend choosing your liked list of places to visit and do not stress much to reach out to all the places.
Must do things before visiting Srilanka:
- Check your visa requirements for your country, for Indian citizens visa on arrival is available but would suggest getting it done before traveling.
- Take full clothes with you, this will be helpful for visiting the ancient temples.
- Take mosquito repellents and some medicines for an emergency.
Day 1 – Bangalore -> Colombo
Normally my trips are mostly budget friendly. So, to start with we reached Colombo late evening and our train to Sigiria was early morning the next day. So, to give a try we both decided to stay in a capsule hotel which was way cheaper than a hotel room and was located very close to the railway station.
As a background capsule hotel are a type of hotel where instead of getting a room, guests stay in small capsules. Small is the operative word here. These capsules measure roughly 2 meters in length and 1 meter in both width and height. Moreover, these metallic capsules are stacked on top of each other.
We had a pleasant stay for a night in the capsules. Next day early in the morning refreshed by a hot bath, we both started for our first train trip to Sigiriya.
Day 2 – Colombo -> Sigiria
The evening we spent our time roaming around the café near the rock and had some good relaxed time at the local cafes. Post dinner we moved to our most loved place (tree house). Staying at a tree house made us feel like flying through the forest and waking surrounded by the trees took our experience to a different level. The tree house was an ultimate hide way for us to get back to nature. A real calm place to just release your thoughts and switch off completely. Evening walk around this place made was disappear into the wilderness without any distraction – whether you walk around the main road or keep switching between the cafes, it does not matter as you will be literally in the middle of nature. 
Day 3 – Sigiriya -> Kandy
Next day post breakfast we arranged a vehicle to Kandy <Srilanks last Kingdom>. Kandy is centrally located to all the tourist destinations in Srilanka and is loaded with heritage. We arranged a car for our movement, it was 4 hr trip. For our stay, we had booked an Airbnb. It was located a bit outskirt of the township on a hilltop. The best way to explore Kandy is on a Tuk Tuk. Kandy temples, cultural show and spending time beside the natural pool is a kind of experience.
We had planned to travel in and around Kandy to put together a range of unique experiences to our list. To start with we visited the temple of the tooth, next to it is a beautiful natural pool. Where me and my wife settled down for a while enjoying the calmness and drenching ourselves with the beauty of nature over a cup of coffee. Next, to the temple of the tooth, there are a lot of eateries to sink your teeth into.
Evening there is a cultural show next to the temple of the tooth by the locals. The show is a stimulating Srilankas Art and Heritage show and is a must see for all the visitors.
Day 4 – Kandy -> Colombo
Next day we were so much impressed by the walk around the lake club near the tooth temple that we again decided to go there and sit ideally for sometime before starting to Colombo. Post lunch we started to Colombo. This time the train journey was pleasant with all the facilities in the train intact.
That evening we decided to visit Independence Arcade. Personally, I love beautiful architecture. Independence arcade is a colonial style building housing a host of outlets and facilities for shopping, dining, and entertainment. Post our visit here it was time to spend some quality time on the beach. Colombo is an ideal beach town for sun and sea lovers. The beaches were neat and well maintained. You will love strolling on the marine lines.
As a lover of good architecture, I have always wished to stay in some of the good villas where ever I have visited. This time it was taru villa lake lodge which impressed my choice. The villa is centrally located to the township. Very close to Ganga Ramaya temple. You will really enjoy the architecture and the walk around the Ganga Ramaya Lake. If you are from India then you will love some of the best Indian restaurants located nearby. The villa is truly the city’s finest accredited villas in its range. The villa truly reflects the contemporary elegance and excellence of the architect.
Gangaramaya temple is one of the most famous temples in Colombo. The place is a mix of modern architecture and culture essence. Taru villa stay and Gangaramaya temple visit is truly a blissful holiday experience.
The evening was pleasant and we both some quality time in a coffee shop. If you are a tea lover then Srilanka is your place, Ceylon tea is famous for its varieties.
Day 6 – Colombo -> Galle
Next day early in the morning we started to Galle, a city on the southwest coast of Sri Lanka. It is famous for the forts, beautiful beach lines and some lovely architectures. Galle is the perfect picture of what almost everyone comes to Srilanka for, the three S's - Sun, Sand & Sea. It has one of the most beautiful beaches in the whole of Sri Lanka and it's surprisingly un-crowded. As a practice, we searched for some lovely villas and we ended up in a villa which was 30km away from the city. This is the best that could have happened to us. We had arranged a scooter on rent for a day and just loved driving it on the marine lines. Galle has some of the beautiful beaches with a lot of eateries around. The whole afternoon we just lied near the beach and in the evening enjoyed a bath in our hotel pool with a sea view. 
Next day early in the morning we started to Galle town. The Galle fort is an archaeological delight. An ancient building with a view of all local areas nearby showcasing how the city grew in and around that.
Then we headed to Japanese peace pagoda. This place is atop the Rumasalla hill, the best panoramic view of the ocean can be seen here. This place is an epitome of serenity and purity, ideal for those looking for inner peace. Driving through the hilly path is something not to be missed.
Day 7 Galle -> Bentota
After such an experience filled tour it was finally time to stay at a good hotel and cool off and what best can be other than a 5 start hotel in Bentota. This time we traveled from Galle to Bentota by train, it took some 3 hrs to reach Bentota. Cinnamon hotel in Bentota is in a triangular beach facing area. The best place to cool off is its large swimming pool and its beach area. Outside the hotel area, there are some lovely eateries. We had spent our entire time in the hotel premises, evenings are lovely here accompanied by light music and a platter of food. 
Day 8 Bento -> Colombo ->Back home
Finally, it was time to get back home and say goodbye to all the good time this place has given us.
You need at least two weeks to explore Srilanka to the fullest. The best train ride was between Kandy to Colombo for me. Transport and infrastructure are still developing. The best train what people suggest is from Kandy to Ella <which we missed>. The beaches cannot be missed on the south coast and be sure to discover one to spend the day killing time on. The best which many locals were suggesting is the Trincomalee, it is all way on the northeast side of the country. As a whole Srilanka is truly a nature adobe, a must recommendation for all nature loving people.
