Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is an island nation south of India in the Indian Ocean. Out of any vacation we have taken, we planned the longest for Sri Lanka. This was also our first trip that we've taken with another family, which added a lot to the dynamics of the trip. Roman had built-in playmates, we had extra hands/help and great conversation. If we could take a group trip all the time, we would! It made the five hour car rides much more enjoyable having friends to hang out with.
If you read that and flinched, you read correctly. Five plus hours in the car, multiple times throughout our week long trip. You see, Sri Lanka does not have a lot of major highways. Travel is mostly on two lane roads that are not always paved, or in the best condition due to the weather there. Combined with playing chicken on the road with bikes, Tuk-Tuks, various vehicles and buses it can make for quite the death-defying driving experience! Bring Dramamine if you are prone to car sickness. You do get used to it, but the first day, myself and Nick got very carsick.
This trip was not glamorous but it was fun! Our trip was adventurous and physically draining as we hiked, rode in open bed trucks, rode boats, and walked around in the hot and humid Sri Lankan climate. In addition to all the unique experiences we had, when I think about to this trip, I think about how hot, sweaty and dirty we were and how refreshing a nice shower was at the end of a long day! All of our hotels were amazing, top-notch, beautiful retreats that had something unique from another at each place. The food was also delicious... in the middle of areas that seem so rural, are amazing oasis hotels to unwind in after a long day of physical activity.
Here's what we did:
Jeep safari at Minneriya National Park- Our favorite part of the trip! We saw hundreds of elephants from up close and personal both adults and babies .. it was awesome! The terrain was tough and bumpy, and we got majorly rained out at the end. Between being dirty and wet, somehow Roman got a bug bite on his behind from sitting in the old safari jeep. It was painful and hurt him for a few days, it was actually a little alarming. Thankfully, I always pack Benadryl and it seemed to help.
Dambulla Cave Temples: UNESCO World Heritage Sight.
Temple of Tooth Relic
Cultural show (which included dancing and walking on fire by performers): We could have done without this as it was in the evening, there was a lot of traffic, and the kids had trouble sitting still the entire time.
Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage: This was 50/50 for us as all the elephants were chained up, and it was raining. We didn't stay long but instead went across the street to the watering hole where we watched the elephants play in the water and give themselves baths. This is where I was also able to feed the elephants! It was apparently illegal and as I was feeding them, a large siren went off to indicate more wild elephants were approaching. Everyone went scattering to higher ground at the nearby restaurant that over looked the area. It was quite thrilling!
Excursion to a turtle hatchery: This is really an area for "rescued" turtles and turtles that won't make it if they were released back into the ocean. Nick and I were once certified turtle handlers from the Florida The Fish and Wildlife Conservation so clearly this was not the most ethical of places.. If you're an animal rights activist, really none of these places are for you but it was educational for the kids to get an upclose hand few of turtles (and even hold a few of them)
The cultural exchanges we had on this trip were definitely a highlight. We were able to meet so many people, see a simpler way of life, experience nature and test our limits with our physical abilities while hiking with kids in the heat.
If you read that and flinched, you read correctly. Five plus hours in the car, multiple times throughout our week long trip. You see, Sri Lanka does not have a lot of major highways. Travel is mostly on two lane roads that are not always paved, or in the best condition due to the weather there. Combined with playing chicken on the road with bikes, Tuk-Tuks, various vehicles and buses it can make for quite the death-defying driving experience! Bring Dramamine if you are prone to car sickness. You do get used to it, but the first day, myself and Nick got very carsick.
This trip was not glamorous but it was fun! Our trip was adventurous and physically draining as we hiked, rode in open bed trucks, rode boats, and walked around in the hot and humid Sri Lankan climate. In addition to all the unique experiences we had, when I think about to this trip, I think about how hot, sweaty and dirty we were and how refreshing a nice shower was at the end of a long day! All of our hotels were amazing, top-notch, beautiful retreats that had something unique from another at each place. The food was also delicious... in the middle of areas that seem so rural, are amazing oasis hotels to unwind in after a long day of physical activity.
Here's what we did:
Jeep safari at Minneriya National Park- Our favorite part of the trip! We saw hundreds of elephants from up close and personal both adults and babies .. it was awesome! The terrain was tough and bumpy, and we got majorly rained out at the end. Between being dirty and wet, somehow Roman got a bug bite on his behind from sitting in the old safari jeep. It was painful and hurt him for a few days, it was actually a little alarming. Thankfully, I always pack Benadryl and it seemed to help.
Dambulla Cave Temples: UNESCO World Heritage Sight.
Temple of Tooth Relic
Cultural show (which included dancing and walking on fire by performers): We could have done without this as it was in the evening, there was a lot of traffic, and the kids had trouble sitting still the entire time.
Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage: This was 50/50 for us as all the elephants were chained up, and it was raining. We didn't stay long but instead went across the street to the watering hole where we watched the elephants play in the water and give themselves baths. This is where I was also able to feed the elephants! It was apparently illegal and as I was feeding them, a large siren went off to indicate more wild elephants were approaching. Everyone went scattering to higher ground at the nearby restaurant that over looked the area. It was quite thrilling!
Excursion to a turtle hatchery: This is really an area for "rescued" turtles and turtles that won't make it if they were released back into the ocean. Nick and I were once certified turtle handlers from the Florida The Fish and Wildlife Conservation so clearly this was not the most ethical of places.. If you're an animal rights activist, really none of these places are for you but it was educational for the kids to get an upclose hand few of turtles (and even hold a few of them)
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