Exploring the Beauty of Sri Lanka: Colombo, Kandy and Mirissa – OM

Exploring the Beauty of Sri Lanka: Colombo, Kandy and Mirissa – Olly’s Adventure

With 10 days to spare and a fantastic travel agent who knows how much I hate sitting airports – Sri Lanka popped up on our radar as a warm, lush getaway and so we booked!

Sri Lanka was nothing short of unforgettable, taking me from the bustling streets of Colombo to the cultural heart of Kandy, and finally to the serene beaches of Mirissa.

In Colombo, I was immediately struck by the city’s vibrant energy—a blend of colonial charm, modern skyscrapers, and colourful markets. We only had a short stop but we took on a city Tuk Tuk tour which if you lack nerves of steel you might want to pass on. The markets were fantastic packed with people, food and pretty well anything (including the kitchen sink).

Our fearless Tuk Tuk
If you need it they have it !
Anyone for a banana
Hundreds of trucks lined up to load their purchases

Next, I headed inland to Kandy, a city surrounded by lush hills and steeped in tradition. The highlight was visiting the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, one of Buddhism’s most sacred sites. The city’s tranquil lake and botanical gardens added to the sense of peace, making Kandy a place where culture and nature meet beautifully. Our house was perched up in the hills and apart from the squirrels and the monkeys ( I do not like monkeys!) it was exceptional!

To end the trip, I journeyed south to Mirissa, where golden beaches and turquoise waters welcomed me. Here, life slowed down—whether it was enjoying fresh seafood, watching the sunset over the Indian Ocean, or simply relaxing by the waves. Mirissa’s laid-back charm was the perfect finale to my travels.

Breakfast was provided every morning and it was overwhelming (check it out below) and happy to report that there was no lunch required – everything was so fresh and cooked by the small team each morning so we ate far too much.

Luckily one of our trainers is from Sri Lanka so Oshie gave me some tips on what were the must trys – crab curry, hoppers and kottu (yes I tried them all) – now I need to find a Sri Lankan restaurant in Adelaide!

Breakfast – egg and plain hoppers, coconut roti, chicken curry, potato curry, sambal and coconut sambal…….
We stumbled across this brilliant restaurant in Mirissa

So in closing if you have not been and have the opportunity to travel chuck it on your list –

  • the weather is fantastic
  • the people are warm and welcoming and very keen to chat and find out where you are from
  • you feel safe
  • bus drivers are crazy (be careful)
  • food is delicious and cheap
Just another perfect sunset!

/by