Mountain Biking in Sri Lanka…Sort of
Dave and I love to mountain bike. We hit the trails regularly in the summer and get out of the city as much as possible. It is so much fun to ride a new obstacle with success, get up the nerve to go down a steep trail and totally gratifying to conquer an epic climb. When we read that we could mountain bike in Sri Lanka’s Hill Country, we made sure to hop on the train to check it out. We didn’t have any shoes or helmets and unfortunately they don’t rent them along with the bikes. We had been itching for a ride however, so we decided to chance it and see what trails are around the area.
Snapshot Sunday – Sigiriya, Sri Lanka
A trip to Sri Lanka just wouldn’t be complete without a stop at Sigiriya. One of the most recognizable sites in the country, this important archeological discovery is an awesome site. This giant rock has been used as a dwelling since prehistoric times. Civilizations have popped over the years and dating back to the 3rd Century BC, monks used this rock as a monastery. Over time it has been used as many things with civilizations being built at its base and structures erected on its top.
Adam’s Peak Pilgrimage
If there is one thing that both Dave and I agree 100% on is that we both love to climb. We love treks and we love the feeling of getting to the top. When we learn about a great trek or climb in a country, we just have to climb it. And yes, the reason is, Because its there. What luck we had that it was prime season for pilgrims to make their way to Adams Peak to climb. Adams Peak is Sri Lanka’s Holiest mountain and each year Pilgrims flock to climb its 5200 steps.
Adam’s Peak Pilgrimage – A Photostory from Sri Lanka
A Photo story that documents our climb up Adams Peak in Sri Lanka. It is a pilgrimage that is done each year by thousands.
Sri Lanka-Visa Extension
It was so easy. How can this be? We decided that we should extend our Visa for Sri Lanka just in case we are not allowed on the plane. India has changed their Visa rules and a tourist is not allowed back in the country until they have been gone for two months. We awoke at 5:00 am to catch the bus north to the capital. The office was packed with people. Hundreds of people were in a mass on the main floor.
Fine Dining, Budget Backpacker Style
If you ever happen to find yourself in Sri Lanka’s hill country, you must make sure to visit The Hill Club and splurge on a dinner. It may be your only chance to be treated like an aristocrat at bargain prices. Located on Grand Hotel Row, the Hill Club is a throwback to a bygone era. The decor hasn’t changed since the 40′s and the formality and tradition is as strong as ever. There is a strict dress code there and having travelled through Asia for almost three months there was no way we were going to be able to follow the rules.
A Little Bit of Britain in Sri Lanka
One of the coolest little towns we have been to in Asia is Nuwara Eliya in Sri Lanka. What makes it unique is that it doesn’t look Asian at all. You feel as if you have stepped back in time to the 1940’s in England. The town is made up of Old Victorian Architecture bordering the race track and golf course. You can feel the influence of the British all around especially walking along the Grand Hotel Road. It looks like jolly old England rather than in Buddhist Country in the Far East.
Happy Valentines Day this Snapshot Sunday
While we are not fans of greeting card holidays, here is a Valentines Day message to all. We aren’t a couple that celebrates our birthdays or Christmas, and most of the time we forget our anniversary. We have always said that we don’t need a day on the calender to let each other know how much we love each other. But, we are a couple that runs a blog and it is Valentines Day and we are in paradise. We have joined pilgrimages, climbed mountains, sipped tea in tea country, witnessed humanity at its best and worst, spotted rare wildlife and made new friends in this incredible country.
Ella Rock, Sri Lanka’s Highlands
It was time for a trek to get the old legs back in shape and what better place to start than in Ella in Sri Lanka’s highlands. It is the perfect place for a little adventure travel as you can hike the hills for days on end.
Trails lead you through tea plantations and dense forest paths. We decided to check out Ella Rock, the highest peak in the area offering great panoramic views. It is the longest and most rigorous climb in Ella, so be prepared for a bit of a grind.
Yala National Park, A Photo Story
Having a high concentration of leopards, Yala National Park in Sri Lanka is one of the best places in the world to spot them. But the leopard isn’t the only animal you will see in Yala. It is teeming with life and exotic animals can be found around every turn. The Landscape reminds you of something more out of Africa than Southern Asia and it’s location makes it easy for anyone visiting the country to take a trip to try to spot the elusive leopard of Yala National Park.
Leopard Spotting at Yala National Park, Sri Lanka
Dave and I have never seen a big cat in the wild. We cycled down the continent of Africa and still managed to miss the lion. We went to the jaguar sanctuary in Belize and didn’t see a jaguar and we left India before we had a chance to go to the Tiger Sanctuary of Ranthambore or Khana. When we heard that there was a place in Sri Lanka that had the best chance of anywhere in the world to spot a Leopard in the wild, we knew that we had to go to Yala National Park.
Snapshot Sunday #1-Yala National Park, Sri Lanka
Welcome to the first of our Sunday Snapshots. This was definitely a highlight not only of this week in travel, but probably our entire ten years in travel. We actually spotted a rare site in Sri Lanka’s, Yala National Park. The elusive leopard. The Leopard doesn’t make an appearance for everyone and as we can attest, not all people had the privilege that we had. Several jeeps waited a very long time for it to climb out of the tree or even move. We almost didn’t believe that it was there. Only a few jeeps remained, when our leopard climbed out of a tree, gave a big stretch, a look in our direction and then he walked slowly to a tree stump in long grass.
Remebering the Tsunami, Sri Lanka
Meet Amilla. His story is like so many others here in Sri Lanka. Five years later and the Tsunami is still a vivid memory. Amilla is a surfer. He was on the beach the day the Tsunami hit the coast. As he tell us his story, you can see him reliving it. Every movement and word feels as if it were happening all over again. He has a big smile as he speaks. He is still awed by the events of that day.
Dave and Deb’s Excellent Sri Lankan Surf Adventure
Hikkaduwa Sri Lanka is a beach lovers paradise. For surfers, it is the perfect spot to try your hand at the board. Mellow, sandy breaks make it a pleasure for novice surfer to practice their turns on the surfboard. They told us we need a few more lessons and we will be pretty good. At $40 bucks a day that pretty much eats into our budget, but it is tempting to learn from the pros and eventually become the king and queen of the beach. With a little practice, people will soon be swooning over our talent and surrounding us for autographs just like Kelly Slater.
Hikkaduwa Sri Lanka – Surf, Sun, Sand
One hundred kilometers south of Colombo, Sri Lanka’s Capital City, the beach scene begins. There are several beach towns to choose from in this country. Most people come to Sri Lanka for the beach and only the beach.
While there is so much more to see, we wanted to start out at the beach ourselves and we decided to head to the most popular sunshine destination Hikkaduwa.
Sri Lanka, Island Paradise
We have stepped into heaven. The air is warm and clear; the roads are orderly and clean. Our driver hasn’t honked his horn once. He even used his signal when switching lanes! What is this civilized planet we have stepped into? We have arrived in Sri Lanka on a one-month tourist visa.
Out of India, In to Sri Lanka
What does a person do when they wait for three days at the Taj Mahal for the fog to lift but it never does? If you are Dave and Deb, pack your bags and head for another country. This weather is terrible and there is no need to hang around when you can travel to sunny Sri Lanka right next door. The Taj will be there for another day. Right now, we want some fun in the sun.
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