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Posts earlier than 24 July 2016
Sigiriya Lion Rock Tour
After the village tour, we headed back to the hotel to cool off with a relaxing swim. [slider ids="2016287" fullwidth="no" captions="yes" ] Late afternoon, we headed over to Sigiriya Lion Rock for a guided tour. Since Lucy’s ankle was still recovering, we’d already decided that we wouldn’t risk climbing up to the very top, in case of further injury… but it turned out to be a good decision as the kids were shattered and our guide…
Sigiriya Village Experience
We set off from Hotel Sigiriya and were dropped off on the main road a few minutes later. We knew that we were going on a “Village Experience” tour, but wasn’t exactly sure what it entailed. Next thing we knew; we were being ushered on to the back of a bullock cart! [slider ids="2016271" fullwidth="no" captions="yes" ] The bullock slowly pulled us up the main road, with the driver occasionally muttering words at it. Since we…
Minneriya National Park Safari
Leaving Negombo lagoon, we took our morning transfer into the Cultural Triangle region. Since it was a 4-hour drive, we aimed to catch up on some sleep, (as the night before was quite hot and we didn’t sleep so well) - although Katelyn resisted it, as she was fascinated by the sights & scenery. Lunch time we stopped off at a hotel in Dambulla, for a buffet lunch. The funny thing about Sri Lankan food…
Negombo Lagoon
Jetwing Lagoon hotel After our long journey to Sri Lanka – a la “Planes, Trains and Automobiles” via Yatton, Reading, Gatwick, Dubai and ultimately Colombo – we were greeted by our Selective Asia guide (Geehan) with flower garlands; taken to our car, (a 7-seater – so plenty of room for luggage and the kids to spread out), and presented with a large fruit basket. I suddenly remembered how crazy driving on the roads were in Sri…
Our Itinerary
We arranged our tour with a travel agency called Selective Asia. Here's our itinerary... Day 1 Monday 18 July arrive Colombo airport, Negombo Day 2 Tuesday 19 July Negombo Day 3 Wednesday 20 July Negombo, Cultural Triangle, Minneriya National Park Safari Day 4 Thursday 21 July Cultural Triangle Tour: Sigiriya Rock Climb, Village Experience Day 5 Friday 22 July Cultural Triangle Tour: Mihintale, Anaradhapura, Anamaduwa Day 6 Saturday 23 July Anamaduwa Day 7 Sunday 24 July Anamaduwa, Polonnaruwa, Passekudah Day 8 - 13 Monday 25 July - Saturday 30 July Passekudah beach Day 14 Sunday 31 July Passekudah, Dambulla, Kandy Day 15 Monday…
The backstory
Planning our trip to Sri Lanka started off about 4 years ago, triggered by a suggestion that we should have a 20-year high school reunion. For those of you who didn't know, I lived in Sri Lanka for a couple of years. My father managed at a textile factory - between 1994-96 - so we got to experience an expat life for a while; had a maid, driver and gardener - I know, right!!; went to an international…